What is the path from 1/2 to 5/10

[edge]

I'm starting the 2/4 full games now, after playing the 1/2 6-max for a couple of months (I have less than 10k hands logged, but I'm pretty sure I'm a winning player [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]). Not sure if I'll go to 3/6 full or 5/10 short next.

[SpiderMnkE]

Does stars have a rake back? I have a good rakeback right now and it would be hard to give that up.

[runa]

How do I sign up for the rake back and what sites offer it? My friend hooked me up with an Empire one through an affiliate program that he's on, but I'm thinking of signing up on other sites to try 2/4 SH eventually.

Also, what's the deal with the rakeback anyway? How are they able to offer that deal?

[spydog]

Good question. Here is my path.

Played 20k hands of 1/2 SH at Party Poker. Pretty much killed the game for 4BB/100+. About 10k hands into that run, I started playing 2/4 tables where there were only 2 or 3 players, along with 1/2 tables. SH play at the 2/4 tables was absolutely horrid and very profitable. Then intermixed 3/6 tables with 1/2. After building my roll to about 4k, I took a shot at 5/10 by playing about 1k hands. Found out that the play was much more aggressive and wasn't comfortable with the swings (also learned that I played more hands against Peter_Rus than anyone else, big mistake!). Lost about 45BB and decided it was time to make a deposit at Poker Stars. Started playing both 2/4 and 3/6 SH at Stars. After about 6000 hands and a healthy earn rate, I figured I was ready to take my 6k bankroll back to Party. I have been playing there for the last few days, logging 2400 hands. I think it is slightly tougher than 3/6 at Stars. A little more turn aggression at Party 5/10 than Stars 3/6 and more people 3-betting and capping strong hands preflop.

After playing 3/6 at Stars, I am more prepared for heightened aggression and the $$$ swings.

I would advise you on a similar path as me.

[MisterKing]

Since I'm currently plowing through 1/2 short, I'm really interested in this discussion. I really appreciate everyone sharing advice.

FWIW, there are a lot of options out there to get from 1/2 to 5/10 short. While there has been a lot of talk of playing full 2/4 and 3/6 tables that have only a few players seated (great idea!), there are 2/4 and 3/6 short games available. Paradise has a 3/6 short that I plan to try in the near future, and Stars/UB have 2/4 and 3/6 shorthanded tables as well.

Has anyone played the Paradise 3/6 5-max? I'm smoking the 1/2 for 9BB/100 (unsustainable, I know) over my first 5K hands at this limit, and figure I'll quit cashing my profits out soon and build to about 1200, at which point a shot at 3/6 might be appropriate (dropping back down if I lost $400). Is this a sensible plan?

[TxSteve]

I started at 2/4 full, moved to 3/6 full, then on to 5/10 6 max and am now taking occasional shots at 10/20 6 max.

For me; it has been a 6 month progress; with some months being 20K+ hand months; and some months being only 8K hands (due to real life).

[tripdad]

my path was a)$1/2 full. b)$2/4 full. c)$3/6 SH at pokerroom, then finally $5/10 SH now at empire/party.

pokerroom also has $2/4 SH games.

cheers!

[ctv1116]

my path was 0.5/1 full, 1/2 6max, and now 5/10 6max, although i had a $7000 bankroll when I made the jump to 5/10.

[Analyst]

[ QUOTE ]
Started playing both 2/4 and 3/6 SH at Stars. After about 6000 hands and a healthy earn rate, I figured I was ready to take my 6k bankroll back to Party. I have been playing there for the last few days, logging 2400 hands. I think it is slightly tougher than 3/6 at Stars. A little more turn aggression at Party 5/10 than Stars 3/6 and more people 3-betting and capping strong hands preflop.


[/ QUOTE ]

I've just started playing online, only a couple of weeks now; this is also my first shorthanded play. Started playing the 2/4 at Stars. On my second day, I accidently signed on to a 3/6 table and haven't looked back. I'm still a green rookie at SH play, and have made (continue to make) some whopping big mistakes but honestly the competition just doesn't look that strong overall. Some good players, yes, but enough bad ones to make the game worthwhile.

Now that I've finally gotten to an adequate bankroll for the current game, I'll probably take a shot at 5/10 to see what that's like as well.

[Izverg04]

For me, it was obvious that the path was 1/2 6-handed -> 5/10 6-handed. This was partially influenced by a good run of cards: 1000 big bets over 10,000 hands, however I convinced myself that my winrate would not improve if I first switched to 2/4 full. Actually, I was already playing 2/4 to 3/6 full when I found that 1/2 6-handed is unbelievably profitable.