0.05 vs 0.10 games

I'm currently playing at the nanolimit 0.05/0.10
Is there a difference between this game and the next level being 0.10/0.20? I've noticed that those that play the really low nanolimits play to learn, while those that play 0.25/0.50 play with hopes to win some money. Atleast thats what I think. I started out with $2 and am now at $47 playing somewhat safe and reading a lot in between.

My plan is to get $120 and feel somewhat comfortable with the game and then move to 0.10/0.20 but if the game is exactly the same there maybe I should move to 0.25/0.50?

While we're at it I have another question.
I've played for 3 hours just now and all I get is junk. If I get an ace it's with a 3 kicker and i won't play that. Mostly I get middle unsuited , not connected cards. no AK, no AQ etc. I realize this will happen a lot of course, but I've spent 3 hours folding 98 % of my hands. No way I can play the 20-25% of the hands when I get cards like this.

how do you guys handle that? Just fold and wait for your luck to change? Or do you play medioker hands?

[Twitch1977]

I started off with a $10 bankroll never having really played poker much like you. I found no real difference in the skill level of my opponents between .05/.10 and .10/.20.

I'd say take a session and give .10/.20 a shot, if you can beat .05/.10 you can beat .10/.20 just as decisively.

I'd say the majority of the players here play more then one table at once, it helps beat the boredom when you aren't getting that many playable hands.

So in conclusion, take $5 and give .10/.20 a shot, if it doesn't work out for you go back to .05/.10 and play there until you get more experience and are comfortable for a rematch at .10/.20. But I think you'll do just fine.

T

[benkath1]

multi table.

But only if you feel comfortable. That stuff happens. I've gone hours on 3 tables and folded everything. Patience is one of the keys to winning at poker.

[rusellmj]

Just keep playing within your BR and move up as it gets bigger. As for the junk cards, there's nothin you can do but wait 'em out. You may be missing some opportunities based on position or weak opponents but cold cards are just cold cards.

Thanks for the replies [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Gotta love this forum.

There have been loads of posts on the subject of moving up. The consensus seems to be move up when you feel you are ready not just because you have the bankroll and don't skip levels (although there are some dissenters on this).

I played very few hands at 0.02/0.04 before moving to 0.05/0.1 where I played 6k hands and have now amassed 3.5k hands at 0.1/0.2. At current run rates I think I will hit 300BBs for 0.25/0.5 before I feel entirely comfortable with the step up.

Don't forget that 0.1/0.2 is raked so your return will drop by 1.5-2BB/100. I am making 4BB/100 at 0.1/0.2 which is much less than I was at 0.05/0.1 but both results might be entirely due to variance. The main differences as far as I can tell are that there are slightly fewer truly awful players, and far more players like to slowplay. I don't know whether it's because I'm being more aggressive (after reading SSHE) but my variance seems to be higher.

There's also a bit of psychology involved: when you first move up there is a tendency to think everyone must be better so you start second guessing your decisions. It took me a couple of sessions to "normalise".

[TeeVeeDude]

Who has .10/.20 games?

You want to wait until you have 600 BB to move up? Why?

Bad cards happen. You just have to wait it out, you'll get your share of good starting hands eventually. I know that after two or three orbits without a playable hand I'll find myself calling with 5-7o just because it's the best hand I've had in a while. That's a leak, though... don't do it!

[hemstock]

Once you have 120$ play .25/.50
It's not that big of a difference