Moving up $2/4 to $3/6

[sydmate1]

I have been playing $2/4 hold em for about 1 year and have been mildly successful (a few hundred up at end of each month). I wish to move up to the $3/6 and stay there. My bankroll is about $900. Is it advisable to make this move now? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[nepenthe]

Do you take a portion of your winnings out every month? $900 is much too short of a bankroll to brave 3/6. If you have pokertracker feel free to post your stats for analysis. Do you multi-table? If so, I would be very much inclined to stay at 2/4 and perhaps, occasionally try one table of 3/6, setting a strict loss-limit as your bankroll is in a precarious state.

[Evan]

The general rule around here is 300 BB to move up limits (i.e. $1800 for 3/6). Personally I started with less than that but it's probably best to build your roll up more at 2/4 before making the move unless your willing to step back down if you hit a downswing.

P.S. 900 actually isn't even enough for 2/4 according to the 300BB "rule". So I'm gonna have to go with staying at 2/4 for now.

[sydmate1]

Been playing at a B&M $2/4 game. To be more accurate, up approximately $250 at end of month lately. I play about 9hrs/week.

[Blarg]

You can "take a shot" with almost anything, as long as you have enough to make a buy-in. But 900 is way short for 3/6. Even a 300 BB bankroll isn't foolproof.

But if you are asking if 3/6 is notably harder than 2/4 ... I've found it's sometimes a little slower than 2/4, but no more difficult on average. There are still people cold calling a bet and a raise preflop with an unsuited Q,9 and things like that. Plenty of terrible players, at least at Party. There's probably less volatility at the 3/6 than the 2/4 so in one way you could think you need a smaller bankroll. But still, bad luck (or bad play) happens, and 900 isn't much for either 2/4 or 3/6.

[BaronVonCP]

no

[trillig]

3/6 is not a huge jump, take a couple shots at it....

See where you are....

-Bri

[MoreWineII]

I would advise having at least 300BB. My comfort zone is 400-500BB personally.

Especially for online play and *especially* if you're planning on multi-tabling. You'll be playing a lot more hands against a lot more loose-aggressive players.

If you're planning on playing in live casino games, you could probably get away with a little smaller roll.

My 2 cents. Good luck! /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Bob T.]

Unless you are willing to replenish your bankroll from other funds, that is on the smallish side for a permanent move to 3-6.

Good luck
play well,

Bob T.

[Bob T.]

Now that I see that you are playing B@M poker instead of online, I think that you have enough to start taking shots at 3-6.

Good luck,
play well,

Bob T.

[Saborion]

The general recommendation is 300 BB's to play at a certain limit (more than that at the higher limits). Even if you can refill your BR from other sources, I'd still recommend you wait until you have at least 1.2-1.4k before moving up.

It sure do suck to move up, only to lose a few BB's right at the start and because of this being forced to move down right away.

[pokerkai]

900 is a bit on the small side for a B&M game, especially if your apt to join in on the fun loving tilt attitude that can permeate the games im used to playing in.

Definitely too small if its a 3/6 Kill /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Blarg]

900 could be eaten by a lot of 3/6 live games pretty quickly, I think. Definitely it could quickly get you to the situation where you're playing with scared money, which makes almost nobody play better and many people play far far worse -- I know I do. When the chips turn into money in my eyes, I lose a lot of ability to make smart choices with them.

[stir]

Not enough. Be patient. I suffered thru a 238 BB downswing over a period of 11 weeks playing B&M $4/8. Not all will suffer that kind of variance, but I believe it shows the 300BB rule is wise to follow. Build that BR before you make your move.

[CarlNiclas]

That is a very good observation. Never see the chips as money unless that truly isn't a problem for you.

[tolbiny]

I was playing 5/10 with a full kill with a $1000 roll for a while (it was replenishable from another source) and built that up to a little over $3500. I then started taking "shots" at the 10/20 half kill game. My fisrt attempt was terrible as i was playing scared. I went home and couldnt sleep for hours because of how i played. I slept in, realized why i played so badly and went back and crushed it the next few days. The bigger stakes and the new players kept me sharp and i played some of my best poker. I feel like taking shots is important for
1. Your learning curve, new challanges and new opponents are good for you.
2. Your bankroll- if the game is as good as your 2/4 you will be making more.
3. your self esteem- its great to meet and beat a challange.

Poker should be a fun hobby if you are playing the amount you say you are and moving up stakes from time to time is a good way to keep it interesting.

I would take bob t's advice and play in the 3/6 from time to time- when it looks especially good, and you feel especially good.

(I completely change my answer if you need this money at all or it will be a long time before you can play again if you lose it)

[pstripling]

I think that "taking a shot" is excellent advice. I would reccomend that you still play in the 2-4 game but look to play in the 3-6 game for a couple of hours each month. Take a good look at your results and the game after each session and decide if it is worth it to move up. At the B&M near me, the 2-4 game is a game played by wives of regulars and first timers. The 3/6 has a bunch of retirees and some semi pros. The 2-4 in this situation is vastly superior, but they only spread 1-2 tables.

[IndieMatty]

B&M, you have more then enough, take a shot, I play 2-4, 3-6 online, and anywhere up to 10-20 live, its actually not much different in my neck of the woods.