Movin' on up: Dynasty tackles the Bellagio 15-30

I played my highest stakes poker today when I sat in a 15-30 Stud game at the Bellagio.


I've read plenty of Stud information to prepare myself for the climb up to higher limits. I know the bigger ante structure suggests looser play. I expected the game to be more aggressive. I expected the players to be better. I expected all the thing which I was told to expect. But, I saw things which I definitely did not expect. I'd appreciate any comments/analysis anyone can offer about higher limit games, especially anybody who has experience at the Bellagio or Mirage.


Among the things which surprised me.


1. The highest (or second highest) 3rd street card was raising at least 90% of the time. And, of course, they rarely actually had a pair. I knew 3rd street would be more aggressive but this seemed hyper-aggressive.


And example of a raisng hand would be (4h,Qd)Js


It was not uncommon to see a Queen raise and an Ace reraise without either player having a pair or even a hand I'd limp with.


2. A couple players were raising on 3rd street about 33% of the time. They didn't need to have a big card to do it. They would often raise or re-raise with nothing- with a hand I wouldn't even consider limping with.


3. There were LOTS of players calling raises on 3rd street. This may have been a function of people with hands like (5,9)5 being unwilling to fold to bogus high card raises. This was much different than the 5-10 and 10-20 games which I've played. They are usually aggressive but much tighter.


Perhaps this game was a bit of an anamoly. But, I would definitely have to call it loose-aggressive, almost like a California Hold'em game. It settled down on the expensive streets sort of like California Hold'em will often slow down on the turn.


Any thougts appreciated.


I played for 3.5 hours and walked away with a win of $219.

Because of where I lived, I played mostly 2-5 Stud but always tried to find 10-20 games or 15-30 several times a year (including Bellagio). I don't see a tremendous difference in the skill level. Most of my money comes from people calling big pairs with little ones or playing draws heads up. As long as you aren't playing money you can't afford, you'll probably like the bigger game better.


good luck


DJ

Hello,Dynasty,

Congratulations on your 15/30 winning debut!

Dr. Alan Schoonmaker enumerated several conditions for moving up.

Bankroll must be satisfied(or a recurring source of income from a job) Minimum:300BB=9000.00.

And that's the absolute min.

Psychological bankroll: Having a very bad day when you are sucked out on several times will not emotionally affect you too much. In other words,you still will be able to play a good game the next session--even if you have been pounded the previous session.

These were only two of the conditions that he stated.


Keep us posted on your progress.

Happy pokering,

Sitting Bull

One thing is that the bellagio games i think are very soft in stud. Play 15-30 in atlantic city and the game is a lot different.


What made you move up? werent you mostly a 1-5 player? Good for you by the way, since most of the posters here are much toogood to play below 5-10.


Pat

but for a one shot deal at 15-30 you can probably get by with 500 or 600 as long as you are willing to lose it all and it will not prevent you from playing properly. But you should not play for any appreciable time with that little.


Pat

Hello,Dynasty!

Be carefull when moving to higher limit games.

If there is frequent raising and re-raising by two or more players at the table ,there is a possibility that these players are in collusion with one another.

Usually,higher limit players will not throw money into the pot without a good % hand.

Hence,the game should generally be tight-aggressive.

Did you observe the 15/30 table for about 30 min. to see if you can put some players on their hands BEFORE sitting at the table.

If you can't seem to "read" two or more players accurately, do not play in that game.

It might very well be a collusion game.

Usually you will be able to put good players on a potential hand in higher limit games.

If you can't seem to get a "read",go to another table and observe it for 30 min.

I know. You want to play and it's boring just watching.

Sure,you ARE stuck with the "vacation mentality". You want to play--not watch.

But if you want to win money,you must select a good potentially winning table.

Patience,discipline,and control--the qualities of an average winning poker!

If you can "read" players at a 10-20 game better than at a 15-30 one,you will probably make more money at that limit and will be laughing all the way to the bank when you return.

*************************************************

I had observed a 20-40 stud game when I went to a casino about 1 1/2 hrs away from where I lived.

One player was jamming the pot while another player was raising it on several Sts.

The raiser showed down a small pair and said:"I mis-read my hand".

I recently inquired about the same 20-40 game at my local casino. One player told me to stay away from it.

He said that there are "two collusion teams"working it.

I suspected that.

Now my suspicion has been fortified.

Since there is only ONE 20-40 game,table selection is out of the question.

That might not be the case where you play.


Happy Pokering'

Sitting Bull

I've played 5-10 since September although I would occasionly play 1-5 while waiting to get into a bigger stud game or a Hold'em game. My first 10-20 game was in January. The jump to 15-30 came quickly after that.

well you now play higher than I do. Good for you. I took a shot at 30-60 once and I hesitate to do it again anytime soon. Best of luck.


Pat