spain Posted April 7, 2007 Share Posted April 7, 2007 Although some folks might not think so, to me there is an enormous difference between the 2/5 and 1/2 NL cash games. I typically prefer the $2/$5 game to the $1/$2 entry level game for a number of reasons. First, there is alot more money on the table to be won. My eyes get wide when I walk up to that table and see mountains of chips that will be mine! The pots can get very large, especially compared to the grind at the 1/2. You will see a decent pot at 1/2 occasionally but not with near the frequency, nor the immense size, of the 2/5. But the problem is that you can get felted by big stacks just wanting to gamble and dont see your measly stack as a threat. While there are usually several people that have me outstacked several times over, I am not afraid to sit down with $500-$1000 chips when several of the players have $3000 and more. Sure I am at somewhat of a disadvantage but as a TAG, I am not splashing around alot(unless its a fairly tight table letting folks see a cheap flop)and usually have the goods in a showdown with the big boys. I also try to find a casino that doesnt offer the $1/$2 spread. That forces the fishes to swim over to the $2/$5 table. And some of those $1/$2 guys will be playing above their heads financially if they are used to playing the $1/$2 and are being forced to move up. They can be bullied, bludgeoned, and then gutted. And usually the 2/5 table has some more monied people, but not necessarily better players. Sure, there are alot of maniacs at a 1/2 table that you can grind away at all day long. But at the 2/5, I just need to get into 1 or 2 good pots with a big stack he isnt skilled or who is just having fun, to make my session very profitable. The drawbacks of playing 2/5 as compared to 1/2 are fairly obvious. First, the sharks are swimming at the 2/5. Guys that play every single day for a living feast there. You are much more likely to run up against a table where several of the players are as good or better than you. At a 1/2 table, most of the table will be average to weak. Not so at the 2/5 table where the majority of players are at least average or better. While we all would certainly like to play with weak players, I just need a couple of them at the table to make money. So, I try to avoid the sharks and eat the smaller fish. I try to target a very weak calling station sort of player and isolate him with me into a large pot. We just need to tangle a time or two and I go home a winner because of the sheer size of the pots involved at the 2/5 leval. The 2nd drawback to the 2/5 compared to the 1/2 game is that, obviously, the stakes are higher. Instead of losing $200 when you get felted, you will be losing $500 or more. So, you do need a better bankroll that the average college kid if you want to stay and play at this level consistently. That said, I know alot of people who can absolutely afford to play at 2/5 but still stick to the low end game. I think they just feel more comfortable playing with players they know to be weak and if they lose, the sting isnt as painful. I would like to hear others viewpoints on the difference between these 2 games which on the surface my seem very similar but in actuality are quite different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojo20 Posted April 7, 2007 Share Posted April 7, 2007 Spain, Remind me to run if you sit down at a table I'm at. Maybe this should be your Avi. New Spain Avi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spain Posted April 7, 2007 Author Share Posted April 7, 2007 (edited) Spain, Remind me to run if you sit down at a table I'm at. Maybe this should be your Avi. New Spain Avi lol! I have no special talent at this game and would consider myself to be very average actually. I just like to play cards and take peoples money. If I have one strength about me personally that helps in poker particularly well, is that I am very intuitive about reading people. I dont have to know someone for 20 minutes and I can tell you stuff about them that they dont know. I have always been good at analyzing folks and what makes them tick. At a poker table it is critical to get an understanding of the personalities and playing styles at your table. I spend all my time concentrating on the other players, their betting patterns, everything about them. I just try to focus on the other players constantly. Then select a couple targets and give them what they need. They will repay you in chips! Edited April 7, 2007 by spain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spain Posted April 8, 2007 Author Share Posted April 8, 2007 Somebody once said that "poker isnt a card game played by people so much as it is a people game played with cards". I thoroughly believe that axiom to be true. I will concede that the higher the stakes you play, the more important the "people" aspect of the game becomes and the less important the technical aspects of your game. Agree or disagree? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.