Is the game beatable?

[callmedonnie]

So I live in Colorado and am mostly an online small stakes limit player, thus I am used to a good rake. I was thinking about hitting up some of the local casinos and called about their rakes. I once played a 2/4 table for an hour, and saw 6 people on average in every pot preflop. The rake is customarily 10% up to $5, with two going to bad beat jackpot. One place happens to have a cap at $4, which is the cheapest. They spread 2/5, with 1/2 blinds and a bet anywhere from 2-5 on every street, usually w/ capping at six bets. Are these games beatable?

Also, would a 4/8 game with a $4 rake be beatable? Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks.

[KenProspero]

Yes and Yes

[MarkL444]

that 1/2 blind game where you vary your bet should be very beatable. like by a lot

These rakes are pretty much standard sized rakes similar to the style in AC.

Yes to both.

[betgo]

You are asking if a game where 6 people see the flop is beatable? Hard to make a living that way though.

[A_K]

Yes.

Make sure that you alter your starting hands to take into account the likely multi-way action in the spread limit game. The value of top pair hands goes down, while the value straight/flush draw hands goes up.

[steamboatin]

How good are you? Sounds like a smart alec question but it has more to do with how much better you are than the other players. Unless the rake is just completely insane.

[callmedonnie]

I am a fairly solid small stakes player who is a winner a 2/4 and currently winning but working on his game at 3/6. I was told by someone that beat a $5 rake wasn't possible at a 2/4. The one time I played I voluntarily committed to the pot three times, all with suited connectors. The only hand I won was when I flop a boat and river quads w/ Q7o in my big blind 6 handed. I took down a 20 bet pot.

I thought it was beatable, I am inclined to stick w/ 2/4 because I am used to the structure but it is a $5 rake, as opposed to the 2/5 that is offered at $4 rake. However, I know the 2/4 to be good whereas I have never played at the other casino.

Thanks for the help everyone.

[W. Deranged]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes.

Make sure that you alter your starting hands to take into account the likely multi-way action in the spread limit game. The value of top pair hands goes down, while the value straight/flush draw hands goes up.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is not precisely correct.

The strategy in spread limit games is to push dominating hands very hard pre-flop. The reason is that there are in fact decreased implied odds in spread limit; if you raise $5 pre-flop, then your opponents are putting in $5 now with the prospect only of winning $5 bets on later streets, not double ($10) bets in a standard limit structure.

The fact about straights and flushes is just a standard fact of loose/passive low limit hold'em. The spread limit factor actually means you should slightly decrease your interest in these hands.

[Card08]

In my experience, hellz yes.

[swede123]

The 2/5 games at The Lodge, Mountain High, Central Station, and the Gilpin are all quite beatable for someone with just mediocre skills. Just don't bluff very often.

Swede

[callmedonnie]

[ QUOTE ]
The 2/5 games at The Lodge, Mountain High, Central Station, and the Gilpin are all quite beatable for someone with just mediocre skills. Just don't bluff very often.

Swede

[/ QUOTE ]

Last time I played 2/4 just because I am so used to structured betting. I'm thinking about it again, but might just play 2/5 instead. Part of the reason is cause I'm going with a friend who graduates next week and he has less money than me (I work full time since I graduated in may and have the luxury of a bankroll.)

I might sacrifice an extra buck in rake for the sake of playing with my friend.

[coleco]

I play alot online adn the on and only time I played at mountain high , I took in almost 200 bucks in 3.5 hours ...there were some bad players up there

this one guy seriously played to see every flop on every hand he was dealt unless it was 3 bets ...EVERY ONE !!

[boudge7]

I also make the occasional trip up to Blackhawk, and yes the games are very beatable. I highly recommend sticking with the $2-4 game for someone accustomed to fixed structure. You'll regularly find a $2-5 spread game playing much like a $5-5 game.

[UncleSalty]

Has anyone played the Tue/Thur. satellites at the Gilpin? I'm wondering how soft the competition is. Winner of the main event gets a seat at a live tourney in LA.