What limit should I play starting online based on my live experience

[Terry]

”I've read post that stress beating the lower levels b4 moving up.”

I think you’re referring to posts in reply to guys who are losing at a certain level. If you are already able to win at 3/6, it makes no sense to try to build up your bankroll by playing $.5/$1. And don’t overemphasize the concept of bankroll – you don’t need a “bankroll” to play, you need a “buy-in”, particularly if you have some other source of income to provide another buy-in should things go sour in the beginning.

Regarding your initial $150 loss, if $150 seems like a lot of money to you, you should probably start off at very low limits. A $150 loss isn’t diddley in a $3/$6 game, it is routine. If you just hate to lose (I do), and that $150 sparked you to learn to win, good for you.

If you’ve been beating $3/$6 in a casino, you’ll probably do fine at that level online. If you’ve been playing in a home game, there’s a very good chance that being able to beat that game will not mean much. I know people who have earned their living playing 5/10 and 10/20 home games for many years who tried Las Vegas and couldn’t beat the 3/6 or 4/8.

I agree with the guy who said “Don't go so low that it does not hurt to lose.” If it doesn’t hurt you to lose, there isn’t much incentive for you to improve. You have to play for stakes that are meaningful to you – there’s just not much sense in playing 2cent/4cent, even if you can win 20 or 30 cents/hour. The idea of playing poker for pocket change must be looked at as entertainment, not as a way to make money.

Making money just about always involves risk, and the greater rewards are just about always entwined with greater risks. In poker, the level of risk can be reduced by good play, but the amount put at risk can only be decided by you – don’t blow the rent money, but don’t waste your time.

[Six_of_One]

3-6 games in Los Angeles take $4 from every pot, regardless of pot size ($3 drop + $1 jackpot). That means you could have one caller, an uncalled bet on the flop, and the house takes $4 out of the $7 in the pot. I know it is higher some other places...Colorado for one, I believe, though I could be wrong about that.

[Bill Haywood]

I tell a person not to play too low, and you interpret this to mean I'm saying they should play too high. Typical web debate -- misrepresent what was said, then attack the straw man.

If you play too low, it is like free play, and you learn only that risk taking makes it more interesting.

Now go work on the leaks in your reading comprehension.

[Hotchile]

BullPuckey,

Discipline does not come from the limit that you play. It comes from dedication and commitment to a particular goal. You wanna impress me, go to play money and keep your hands played percentage under 20%. Take notes on all the play money players. Keep a database of your play money. If you can't learn to discipline yourself there, you are not going to learn it in 1/2, 3/6 or 15/30.

On to rant #2. Don't allow yourself to think in $$$$. It is money before it is deposited and it is $$$ again when it is cashed out but so long as it is on the site, it is Bankroll which is measured in BB's. Before you start any game, prepare to commit at least 150 BB's to it. Not necessarily all at once. If you have other income, then you might deposit 50 BB's your first week and then if necessary, 50 BB's every week after that. If you have some good fortune, you may never have to make that second deposit.

Rant #3. Your bankroll is your operating capital. Once it is gone, your business is bankrupt. Treat your bankroll the way you would any other business.

Rant #4. (and this is the biggie) Worry a lot less about how much you should start with and how much you can make and how much others make...blah blah blah. Worry, about every hand that you play. Think about ways that you can win the money and not what you are going to spend it on.

Rant Summary....Deposit what you are comfortable with and then play the limit that is 150 BB's less than what you deposited. Keep track of your results but don't think about them in anyway except to help yourself improve. Think about the game all the time. Not the money, the game, and you will do well.

Oh, one last thing, keep us posted on your progress.

Merry Christmas,

Hotchile