Inflation, mid-limits and theory

[mshalen]

I'm not sure where to post this question but this seemed like the best place.

There is a discussion in the WPT forum concerning the size of the buy in at the WSOP. The original buy in of $10,000 would be equivalent to $50,000 today. This started me thinking about the advise in a number of older poker books and the levels that they discuss.

When I first read Super System I, Middle Limit Holdem Poker and Holdem Poker for Advanced Players I thought that playing for limits of 10/20 to 40/80 could only be done by very wealthy gamblers yet these were called middle limits. Today I see see these games populated by college kids, grandparents and people who look like they couldn't afford the buy in.

So my question is: are these limits (10/20 through 40/80) still considered middle limits (though inflation would probably triple the dollars) and does the theory of how to play these levels still apply?