The difference between 30-60 and 80-160

[mikelow]

Returned from a quick trip to the Bellagio.

Won about $2800 playing 30-60 (+600, +1200, and +1000), but lost 1900 at 80-160 (game started out good but deteriorated when tight passive [checked a full house on the river with position!] old lady left. Baseball bets finished a slight plus.

Now I think there are significant differences between the two limits I played and why I think making this step up might be the most difficult in poker.

1. Aces are very seldom slowplayed UTG in 30-60. I was the victim of that in the 80-160 game, making two bad calls with KT after being turn check-raised with the board of T75A.

2. Position really counts for a lot more at 80-160. You can't play marginal hands up front and get away with it. Even in the big blind, having defended with A9o and dealing with a flop of 975 (two spades) is really difficult (at least for me). At 30-60 you can get away with this more as your opponent won't be putting you under so much pressure.

3. It's hard for me to come back from being stuck 5-6 big bets at 80-160. At 30-60 it's pretty easy. There are far fewer multiway pots, and your opponents are constantly looking for any sign of weakness. Admittedly my style of play is more based on catching opponents' mistakes.

So, I have concluded that my ceiling is 40-80. I just can't seem to step up in class? So should I be content with this?

[elindauer]

Hi mike,

Be comfortable with who you are, but never be content. You can beat the bigger game.

Good luck.
Eric

[andyfox]

[img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

The things you talk about can be spoken of as differences between any lower stakes game and higher stakes game: the players are trickier, utilize positional advantage more profitably, are better readers, and don't put as much pressure on you, especially on the turn. The difference would probably appear especially acute considering the passive nature of the mid-limit Las Vegas games. At Commece, I don't see quite that much difference between the 40-80 and 80-160, except that the "average" 80-160 player is a much better reader. But that's a might big "except." [see Snakehead comment below]

"So should I be content with this?"

-That's up to you. Some are satisfied shooting 85, some 75, some not. Snakehead has said that the 40-80 at Commerce is often more profitable, in absolute dollar terms, than the 80-160.

Regards,
Andy

[Paluka]

[ QUOTE ]

1. Aces are very seldom slowplayed UTG in 30-60. I was the victim of that in the 80-160 game, making two bad calls with KT after being turn check-raised with the board of T75A.


[/ QUOTE ]

I don't do to well with KT at 30/60 either.

[PokerPrince]

The jump in monetary terms from 30 to 80 is quite large. I'm surprised Bellagio doesn't have 60-120 on a regular basis. Any locations in Vegas have good 50/60 games going?

PokerPrince

[vic1225]

I play alot at the Bellagio and the game they spread consistently is 80/160 the next step down would 30/60 they do have a 40/80 game but it is 7 stud. Now over at the Mirage they spread 40/80 holdem but it okay during the weekdays(alot of shorthanded play) but booming during the weekend days(2-4 tables thur-sun). Hope that helps.

[jayheaps]

[ QUOTE ]
Returned from a quick trip to the Bellagio.

Won about $2800 playing 30-60 (+600, +1200, and +1000), but lost 1900 at 80-160 (game started out good but deteriorated when tight passive [checked a full house on the river with position!] old lady left. Baseball bets finished a slight plus.

Now I think there are significant differences between the two limits I played and why I think making this step up might be the most difficult in poker.

1. Aces are very seldom slowplayed UTG in 30-60. I was the victim of that in the 80-160 game, making two bad calls with KT after being turn check-raised with the board of T75A.

2. Position really counts for a lot more at 80-160. You can't play marginal hands up front and get away with it. Even in the big blind, having defended with A9o and dealing with a flop of 975 (two spades) is really difficult (at least for me). At 30-60 you can get away with this more as your opponent won't be putting you under so much pressure.

3. It's hard for me to come back from being stuck 5-6 big bets at 80-160. At 30-60 it's pretty easy. There are far fewer multiway pots, and your opponents are constantly looking for any sign of weakness. Admittedly my style of play is more based on catching opponents' mistakes.

So, I have conclude
d that my ceiling is 40-80. I just can't seem to step up in class? So should I be content with this?

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with alot of what you say, but the bellagio 80 game completely depends on the lineup. Sometimes, like big weekends I believe it is softer than the 30. With the tourney in town now, it is not a good time to judge. I do agree that position is more important in this game, but I will tend to play slight looser in this game since I know I am playing against players who can lay down hands.

HOwever, sometimes this game is so good, you should be playing. Last time I was in town, almost every hand was 4-5 handed. yummy.

[TheBusiness]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm surprised Bellagio doesn't have 60-120 on a regular basis.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not that I am an expert, but from what I have heard, the reason the Bellagio runs 80/160 instead of 60/120 is precisely because management doesn't want the 30/60 players taking shots at the bigger games. That's why I think this whole thread is somewhat funny. The 30/60 players will just take shots at the 80/160 game instead. That said, my experience from both games is that the 80/160 game is a lot tougher than the 30/60. But you shouldn't play K10 in either game.

[PokerPrince]

Ya that makes sense for sure, thanks for the response. It's definately quite a jump from 30 to 80. Maybe the new Wynn's poker room will have something in between 30 and 80, who knows.

PokerPrince

[mikelow]

I know, I have a fondness for KTo and KJo in early positions. A habit I need to kick.