Raising standards in short-handed LHE

[Hofzinser]

I've recently been playing a lot of short-handed (5 to a table) limit hold 'em, with reasonable success.

However, one aspect of the game which I am not confident about is which hands I should be raising with in the various positions.

At the moment, as a general rule, I'll raise from first position with any pocket pair, any suited ace, kj or higher, a10 or higher, plus j10 and qj suited.

If it's folded to me in the cut off or on the button, then my opening standards are quite a bit looser (obviously all this is very much dependent on who I'm playing with, and I'll frequently adapt all this to suit, but as a genral rule this is what i'll do).

And if I'm in the blinds then I don't like to raise out of position unless I have a premium hand.

Does this seem too tight/too loose? Like I say, I've had success in the game I'm in but I feel I may be leaving some equity on the table as my raising standards are based on, well, 'hunches', rather than anything more rigorously analytic.

[nervous]

Starting Chart

Depends on the game. I've played short-handed games where I've been able to run the table over with super aggressive play, raising and reraising every hand. If the table has strong players you'll need to tighten up a bit. Also depends on how much you have compared to the blinds. If I'm playing .5-1 on the internet and have $200 I'm a wild cowboy and will raise with anything. If I'm playing $5-$10 at a casino and have $200 I'm so tight I can't fart.

[nervous]

It's not a good idea to have the amount of money in front of you change the way you play your game.

Yeah, I know...just always ends up being that way. If I'm playing .5-1 with $200 I can easily withstand a loss of 20 big bets, whereas I'm broke at the 5-10 table if that happens. I know you shouldn't change your play, but I have to tighten up so the swings aren't so large. I make money doing both so it really doesn't matter to me. I usually average about 33 bucks an hour either way.

[nervous]

The key is to bring more than 20BB's to play. Bring an amount so you are comfortable playing.

And if you change the way you play, your $33/hr will change.