1/2 vs 5/10 games

[Nottom]

I really want to learn how to play SH, but I'm not really ready for another $1500 "lesson" with my current BR.

Is there any benefit in trying to learn the basics at a 1/2 game and then step up to the 5/10 game when I can consistantly beat the lower level or are they just too different to bother?

If thats not a reasonable option, what would be the most important advice you would give to a 3/6 full game player trying to take a chance in the crazy world of 6-max?

[scotnt73]

im currently taking shots at 5/10 from 1/2. its a whole different style than full tables. i think a winning 1/2 shorthanded player will be better off vs a winning fulltable 3/6 guy at playing shorthanded 5/10. although i was a winning 2/4 full ring game player before moving to 1/2 short i lost for a little over a week until it clicked.

[NLSoldier]

I have the same concern, I am a 1/2 short player wondering if Im ready to move up to 5/10 but i have also heard they are very different games.

[Schneids]

Hey Nottom,

When I first started out on SH, I played about 20 hours of 1/2 6-max. Unless those games have changed drastically from 5/10 6-max, there are only a few noticeable differences:

1) Where as 5/10 6-max most of the time it'll be about 3-4 (or maybe 5 if you are lucky to find a loose table) to a flop, 1/2 6-max is almost always 4+ seeing a flop.
2) I find 5/10 6-max to be very passive already, but 1/2 is even more so. Don't be surprised if you are the only one raising PF at a 1/2 6-max table.
3) It seems that at both levels, unless you happen to develop a read on a player, a turn or river raise from them generally means they can beat 1-pair. Also, a raise on an uncoordinated flop is much much more likely to mean 2-pair at 1/2.

Try to remain positive and don't forget you're a winning player -- I remember the very first time I ventured into 5/10 6-max I lost $500 in about 45 minutes. The enormity of the swings initially frightened me. Sometimes they still do when I'm running badly.

I'd recommend moving down to 1/2 for a week just for confidence sake.

[scotnt73]

[ QUOTE ]
I have the same concern, I am a 1/2 short player wondering if Im ready to move up to 5/10 but i have also heard they are very different games.

[/ QUOTE ]

from my limited experience(only 500 hands of 5/10 vs 15k+ hands of 1/2 short) 5/10 doesntseem that much harder at this time. its all about bankroll and being able to afford the swings(this is assuming youve beaten 1/2 shorthanded for a while now.) ive taken 1 shot when my bankroll hit 1750 and it wasnt enough. when i dropped to 1k i went back down to 1/2. i know if i have 3k ill have no problem beating 5/10 and not playing with scared money. it really hurts to lose 200$ when your entire roll it 1700.

[Schneids]

I personally think there's a significantly larger difference between 5/10 and 10/20, than there is between 1/2 and 5/10.

[Schneids]

I have over 10,000 hands at each of 5/10 (not counting times I've scouted out full table games that have 3-5 players in them) and 10/20SH, and over 2,000 at 1/2SH, and I agree with your assessment about 1/2 vs 5/10

[J.R.]

Pokerstars offer 2-4 and 3-6 6-max games that aren't too tough but are more challenging than the party 1-2 6-max if you want a middle ground.

[scotnt73]

[ QUOTE ]
Pokerstars offer 2-4 and 3-6 6-max games that aren't too tough but are more challenging than the party 1-2 6-max if you want a middle ground.

[/ QUOTE ]

ive heard that those are actually harder than the Party 5/10..am i wrong? i did take someones advise from this forum and start looking for shorthanded full tables of 2/4. the moneys great but they fill up quick and then you have to move again. ive also noticed a couple of other sharks who are better than me doing this and have learned to avoid those.

[Schneids]

[ QUOTE ]
i did take someones advise from this forum and start looking for shorthanded full tables of 2/4.

[/ QUOTE ]

That'll be 100, large, for consulting fees please. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]