Copyright 2005 Full
Tilt Poker
December 12, 2005
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Lessons)
Poker Lesson: Know Your (Table)
Limits
Author: Paul Wolfe
In the 18 months that I've been playing poker at
Full Tilt Poker, the one question I am asked most often is a variation
on the following:
"Hey Paul? What are you doing in this $10-$20
No-Limit game? Ivey, J-dags, and Matusow are at the $25-$50 No-Limit
table, and E-dog is playing in the $50-$100 Limit game. Why don't
you join them?"
The first thing I do when I walk into a poker room
is put my name on the lists of games I'm interested in; the next
thing I do is have a good look at the particular games I've just
signed up for. More often than not, I'll sit at the first available
table when my name is called, but I immediately take stock of
the game and behave accordingly. Often times, everything is just
fine, but sometimes I'll ask to be added to the table change list.
Other times, a seat change button is enough to make the game palatable.
On rare occasions, I simply leave the table.
As I play, I take note of the loose players and
tight players, and then use that information to decide which seat
will be most profitable. Likewise, I keep a casual eye on the
other games. If I get called for a table change, I make sure the
new game is the more lucrative one; if it's not, I'll stay put
and ask to be put at the bottom of the transfer list. And while
I have seen unbeatable $3-$6 games and very soft $10-$20 games
running side by side, it's safe to assume that higher limits mean
tougher games.
If you're playing to learn, nothing will challenge
your poker skills like being at a table with Howard Lederer and
Phil Gordon. If you're playing poker
for entertainment and making money isn't your goal, by all means
choose your tables according to where you'll have the most fun.
But if your only goal is to make money, forget about everything
except picking the weakest game at a limit you can afford, even
if it's the $1-$2 game when you're itching to play $2-$4. In ring
game poker, it is better to play smaller at the table you're likely
to beat than it is to play bigger at a tougher table. You also
need to take your time about moving up a level. I have seen many
$1-$2 players sustain steady win rates at those stakes for a month,
then disappear for weeks after taking a shot at the $2-$4 game.
Knowing where to play is as important as knowing
how to play. If you pay close
attention to your game selection, you'll grow the kind of bankroll
that will allow you to have more games to choose from.
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