spread limit structure

[jjacky]

hi,

i'm not used to play spread limit, but maybe we wanna try it in a home game. maybe something like 1-5€. my questions the the structure:
1. is the normal blind size 0.5 and 1 in a 1-5 game and
2. is the spread 1-5 for every betting round?

the alternative is to play 2/4 (fixed). any thoughts which to prefer for a game with many first timers and beginners? i don't refer to the EV in this question, just want to know what you think which structure is more fun for beginners.

[AKQJ10]

I haven't seen US$1-5 for hold 'em, only stud, but I have seen $1-3 in casinos and it seems to work well. $1-3 spread is fun because everyone can limp in for a dollar (or euro) to see a flop. From a cash EV perspective this is good because it teaches your opponents bad habits. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] But from a fun perspective it's good too because it makes it closer to a lottery to see who can hit the flop (which is pretty much how low-limit opponents treat hold 'em anyway).

Generally blinds I've seen for $1-3 hold 'em are one or two of $1, although if you have €0.50 chips you could do €0.50/€1 blinds I suppose.

The same spread limit applies on all betting rounds. Bets and raises can be $1, $2, or $3, and must equal or exceed the previous bet or raise. E.g. if you bet €2 on the flop, I can't raise to €3. (Some cardrooms spread 1-4-8-8 which I find really confusing; for simplicity there's no need to do this for your game.)

So my recommendation is:

€1-3 (keeps things cheaper than €1-5, although you could also do €1-5)
No change on later betting rounds
One or two €1 blinds, unless you have half-euro chips

I'm eager to hear other opinions on this.

[jjacky]

thanks for the quick reply.

the thing i really like is, that a 1€ limp with crap is not very expensive and not as far from correct strategy than in 1/2 or 2/4 fixed. the problem is, that we would like to bluff some, what won't work with loose players and such a small spread. especially in the later streets nobody will ever fold i guess.

what do you think about a 1-2-4-4 or 1-3-6-6 with two 1 euro blinds to enable bluffs to have at least some chance to succeed?

*edit*
or a 0.5-2-4-4 with two 0.5 blinds?

[AKQJ10]

You're going to have a hard time getting a bluff-intensive game, unless your home game is made up of uncharacteristically tough opponents. I've played in a home game with some bluffing, but that's because the hosts were good players and in general the competition was pretty tough.

[jjacky]

unfortunately i absolutely agree with your statement. and the game won't be tough, thats for sure. but i hope(d) that we might be able to get at least some successful bluffs in the game if we play a spread limit with a decent spread.

[AKQJ10]

You could always try 5-150 spread like at Casino Arizona [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

But seriously, no-limit is probably your best option for a home game if lots of bluffing is your goal. Maybe play EUR10 sit-and-gos? Those work well because you can fit 3-5 in an evening.

[jjacky]

yes, we are going to play 5-150 spread with 100$ buy-in. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

the problem with no limit is, that we have to play with extremely low blinds or for very much money. and SNGs are boring for those who bust out early. we tend to play just normal 2/4 limit HE atm.