Micro-Limit Internet Poker (My Thoughts)

[AmarilloJim1]

Before anyone makes any judgement about my post, first, I'd like to say that most of my internet play recently has been on Crytologic Sites and PokerStars.

When I first joined this forum, my first post was in the Zoo, and I just wanted to have a discussion about how $2-$4 or 3/6 games can sometimes be easier to beat than microlimit. Of course immediately, I got bombarded with newbie comments like, "5/10 is even easier than 2/4, come to my game." The truth is, before I came to this forum, I had done very well in local B&M casino live games and tournaments. I had not read SSH, but I had studied HFAP among many other poker books. I never said I couldn't beat microlimit, but I got bombarded with smart ass comments.

Anyway I'd like to give some of my thoughts about micro-limit internet poker. It seems a lot of people in this forum think that so many of these micro players are donks...don't get me wrong, I've seen some really terrible players at the .25/50 and below games (some higher stakes too). I don't always agree with comments like, "raise because all of these idiots are going to call anyway." I have seen a lot of really tight tables. As a matter of fact, yesterday at a .50.1 table on stars, the table was so tight, I would raise under the gun with anything...anything, and win almost every time because everyone would fold. I think there are some good players out there (some weak-tight), but nevertheless, players that can't afford to play higher stakes. The other day I played 3/6 at a local casino, the first time in a long time, and the game was looser than the .02/.04 at stars...I couldn't believe it! Truly, 6 to 8 players seeing each flop. In SSH, there is the loose chart, and someone commented on this the other day, "I don't see a lot of tables that loose." I think it is because there're not that many.

Sorry about the rambling, I know that is all this is, but it is how I feel. The advice I have been given at this forum has been great, and I know there are a lot more knowledgeable players here than myself, and for that I am thankful. However, my point is...a lot of these games are too tight, there are quite a few decent players out there, and fewer donks than everyone seems to think.

[Deamon2]

Your post brings up a good point though. When playing poker on the internet, it's really easy to forget that you're playing with other people. These people may not be very good at the game, but they're still trying to win. You're trying to make the best decisions to exploit their mistakes. At a cardroom or live game it's easy to see this, because the people are right in front of you. Online it's much more difficult to maintain perspective, because they're all just "idiots".

[edit] ps. I finally got my avatar to work!

[Swax]

Well, I've never really played levels as low as .02/.04, but I definitely agree with you - the average .50/1 game online is far, far tighter than a 2/4 or 3/6 casino game, and it's not even close. And it's funny, because not only do most players play unsound strategically, they justify it, and actually tell me things like "you play too conservative, that isn't any fun" or "you raise way too much - how do you know that you're going to make that flush?" to which I obviously just nod and smile. I'm guessing it's because in casinos you get people who gamble in all ways and thus are used to having ENORMOUS variance - and approach the game with a mentality like craps or roulette - i.e. it's "exciting" to hit with two bad cards. If you're playing online, however, you figure you're probably concentrating on poker and better play. I dunno - but I remember the first time I played in LA I expected to get crushed - as if I was "moving up", and boy was I wrong. By JUST playing decently preflop, I'm guessing anyone should be able to bank from a 2/4 or 3/6 casino game.

[fflyer]

I couldn't agree more. I play $1-$2 on various sites, and I hardly ever find tables where five or more players regularly see the flop (which I believe is the definition of a "loose" table). Even when I played .50-1 the tables were usually much tighter than that. On the rare occasions that I find a genuinely loose table, I am lucky if it lasts more than about twenty minutes before the really weak players lose all their cash.
I am sometimes amused at the reputation that various sites have for tightness. UB and Poker Stars are supposed to be the toughest to play, yet I have a comfortable plus record at both. Party Poker on the other hand is one where I have a negative score on the two occasions that I have played there to use up a bonus offer. That doesn't mean that it is tougher than the other two, but it certainly doesn't appear to me to be as weak as many people on this forum seem to suggest.
I have just been looking in the InterPoker lobby and out of about six tables at 1-2 there is only one with a VPIP of over thirty percent, and it is thirty one percent. Where are these soft tables that everyone else seems to play at?

[Bobby Digital]

Well the cryptos and stars are probably two of the tightest sites for low limit. Playing 1/2 at the cryptos is like some sick form of self toture. Hopefully you are clearing bonii there?

Not only is live much looser in my experience it also seems to be much more passive. In general the players are just absolutely horrible.

[fflyer]

Touch wood, but so far I have always come away with more than I started from any site once bonus is factored in. I agree with you about the cryptos though. Making money at InterPoker can be like drawing teeth. At least it's faster these days.

[malo]

This post makes alot of the points I've been thinking.....where are all the loose tables everyone talks about?

Something I realized about Ed Miller's SSH.....I believe he learned to play primarily in live games in Seattle area cardrooms. The book is invaluable for anyone playing low-limit live (unless you are sitting with a bunch of retiree rocks....in which case you should prolly find another table!)

Casinos and cardrooms attract those folks who just want to go out for an evening with a few drinks and some gambling. They stick whatever sum of money they can afford to lose, and head out. If they like poker, maybe they'll take $100 and play 2/4....a little more and play a little higher. It's about entertainment for them and they are willing to pay for it, just as the pay to go to a movie or sporting event.

There aren't too many of those folks on line. Just to get money to play with, you have to do some work and usually set up Neteller, Firepay, etc. since so many banks and CC's won't process gambling transactions. These "roadblocks" do decrease the number of "just for fun" gamblers, meaning more folks at the tables taking poker at least somewhat seriously.

Meanwhile, I live in southern Missouri, and a tribal casino has opened a poker room 90 miles down the interstate just across the stateline. More and more, I'm wanting to play live. Just need to get the bankroll up a bit more....and am grateful for bonuses and the opportunity to begin learning the game at stakes far lower than 2/4.

[topspin]

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I just wanted to have a discussion about how $2-$4 or 3/6 games can sometimes be easier to beat than microlimit.

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The other day I played 3/6 at a local casino, the first time in a long time, and the game was looser than the .02/.04 at stars

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I think the root of the problem is that you're thinking about B&M 2/4 while most posters (especially in the zoo, with justification) assume you're talking about online 2/4. The two are vastly different beasts.

[bottomset]

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It seems a lot of people in this forum think that so many of these micro players are donks...don't get me wrong, I've seen some really terrible players at the .25/50 and below games (some higher stakes too). I don't always agree with comments like, "raise because all of these idiots are going to call anyway." I have seen a lot of really tight tables. As a matter of fact, yesterday at a .50.1 table on stars, the table was so tight, I would raise under the gun with anything

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uh the party .5/1 players for the most part are donks .. not donks of the B&M3/6 or online .02/.04 prob not .. but they still are very bad

and for the second part .. I'm pretty sure there is a Leave Table button you should hit .. unless they let you steal the blinds 4times a round

[AmarilloJim1]

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Before anyone makes any judgement about my post, first, I'd like to say that most of my internet play recently has been on Crytologic Sites and PokerStars.

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