2/4, 3/6 Limit... Can they be beat???

[bvbone]

I have read a number of books (see below), played in many house games, local tournaments, online, and in card rooms in las vegas. the debate i have with many of my friends is that theses low limit games can not be beat. Their major reasoning is that "everyone calls you until the end". where i believe you can exploit this trait and maximize your winnings on those hands by the way you bet. does anyone have any strategies for these games? what are the best books geared at these games?

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-Hold 'em Poker for Advanced Players
-The theory of Poker
-Tournament poker for advanced players
-gambling theory and other topics
-super system
-the psychology of poker

[Chairman Wood]

This is just silly. The can be beat and be beat soundly. "Everyone calls you until the end" is one of the reasons why these games are so juicy. This is a sign of a great game, tell your friends you want to be playing against these people.
Books:
Theory of poker-Good, a must read but see the suggestion at the bottom first.
HEPFAP- I think this is a great read but it is meant for a higher game. I don't play 5/10 online but I think this would be more for that game and for 10/20 and above live.
Tournament poker-N/A
SS-outdated,structure of game has changed since then
Psychology of Poker-haven't read but I've heard it is helpful.
Gambling theory- Same thing
You are missing some essential titles that will be what you need to beat these games. Read these first. I recommend either Hold'em Poker by Sklansky and/or Winning Low Limit Hold'em by Lee Jones. After devouring the information in those and playing a few thousand hands you NEED to read Small Stakes Hold'em by Ed Miller. Carry it with you wherever you go, learn to quote it, sleep with it, absorb it.

[adamstewart]

Tell your friends that they are correct. The low stakes games are impossible to beat, for the reasons they mention. Tell them it would be better for them to start out at the $10/$20 games, where they can "at least get 'reads' on the other players and they will be able to take down many pots, just by bluffing ..." [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Then, for yourself, DON'T DO AS ABOVE. The lower limit games are beatable for a substantial profit. If you can't beat the 2/4 and 3/6, you can't beat the higher games.

Your friends, unfortunately/fortunately, are clueless. They do not understand that winnings in poker come from playing poorer players, and capitalizing on their mistakes. Intuitively, the poorer players are found at the lower limits, rather than the higher ones.

Adam

[Chairman Wood]

Another thing too if you are just starting out. I recommend that if you are playing online that you start at a lower limit perhaps .50/1 or 1/2. 2/4 and especially 3/6 play a lot tougher online than their live counterparts. Although, 2/4 is definately fisheriffic I would suggest you start off below as there are quite a lot of good players at that level and you may need to build your bankroll.

[bvbone]

that's essentially what i thought... the books i have listed are books i have already read, i was looking for additional books to supplement or fill in the gaps i might be missing.

i have progressed to consistently being a small winner, and am looking to move my game to the next level. i definitely have the tight-aggressive style, sometimes playing too tight

i can normally beat people, but have trouble breaking them completly, that's why i've been staying away from tournaments up to this point

[bvbone]

i am making another trip to vegas soon, that's why this question has come up. you're correct, when i play online i normally play the lower .5/1 limit game and have been quite successful at it

i played a number of places in vegas including luxor 2-4, flamingo 2-4, mirage 3-6, and imperial palace 2-4, finding most successful at thie mirage 3-6

[JimRivett]

Live (Casino) low limit can be difficult to beat because of the drop/rake and tips. Depending where you play the rake or drop can be as much as $4.00 per hand plus $1.00 tip, this can be a very difficult hurdle to overcome.

A decent player should be able beat online low limit games where the rake is much less and you are being dealt more hands per hour than live.

Home games are certainly beatable but they are an entirely different animal, no rake, except for when it's your turn to pay for the food and drinks, however it may be considered more of a social, good time thing, a winning, aggressive, serious poker player may find himself not being invited back to the next game.

Of course the reasons your friends give for the game not being beatable are unfounded.

Jim

[Octopus]

[ QUOTE ]
Live (Casino) low limit can be difficult to beat because of the drop/rake and tips. Depending where you play the rake or drop can be as much as $4.00 per hand plus $1.00 tip, this can be a very difficult hurdle to overcome.

[/ QUOTE ]

I played (briefly) at the 3/6 tables at the casino in New Orleans. The rake was 10% to five dollars, plus a $1 jackpot drop, plus dealer tips. Must be nice to be the only casino in town.

[bvbone]

where do you think the best 2-4 or 3-6 game in vegas is...
like i said i've played at luxor, flamingo, imperial palace and the mirage

[JimRivett]

Not having been in Vegas for over a year now I may not be the best person to field this question, although I seem to remember a conversation I had with Dynasty who felt the Monte Carlo was an excellent choice for low limit hold'em.

Last time I played low limit in Vegas (a few years ago) was at the Mandalay Bay, if I remember correctly it was 4/8 with a (half?) kill. It's a nice poker room if you don't mind smoking. Mirage and Bellagio are both non smoking rooms. Didn't know the Imperial Palace had a poker room.

Hope this helps and good luck on your trip.

Jim