Low Limit to learn...

HellmuthFan

Hey everyone, I was just reading something by Daniel Negreanu, and he was saying that when he was learning how to play when he was younger he would put 40 hours a week in at the tables. Normally he would play $10-$20 limits. I was just wondering if you could learn the same way playing 40 hours at say $.50-$1 limits. Do you need to play the higher limits to learn better or do low limits suffice?

alex_844

I think i read the same thing as that. I think it might be an accelerated poker education by playing at those higher limits, but it would mean having those initial losses at that level. Maybe it will take longer and maybe i won't be as good Negreanu ever... but i can't afford swings at 10/20!

pokerpimp

i think when you u play low limit poker more than half the table play bullshit hands, the higher the limit not so many calling stations more of a thinking game.

pokerpimp

only play with a sufficent bankroll if you're going to play higher limits though.

pokerpimp

if u just want to learn play with free money on the net, same as low limit if u ask me.

Dave Scharf

As a broad generalization, the higher the limit, the tougher the players. What that means is that at low-limits a very basic rote strategy will be very close to optimum. As you rise in limits the players get more sophisticated and start to throw more change ups. Each player will be different - one from another - than at lower limits. You have to adapt to the individuals more than the overall game. When you get high enough in limit ANYBODY who plays a basic rote strategy will get killed. Once you start to play against very good players you need to be a moving target.

So.... can you learn at low limits? Yes. Very much. Can you learn everything you will need? Nope. You will not face enough different styles of player (enough situations) to adapt to the requirements of higher limits.

Speaking personally, I am always amazed at how much I learn everytime I make a trip to a major tournament. Poker is very humbling. Everytime I think I have "it figured out" I find myself learning that it's a journey and not a destination.

stoneskn

To tell you the truth, 'practising' for free online is like practising playing tennis with a bowling ball! Players are MUCH too aggressive. To really practise, buy an online account (or go to a casino...up to you) and play with $100 at the lowest limits (PACIFIC POKER .com has some of the industries lowest tables [Someone correct me if i'm wrong...]). Go from there. They are still playing 'not optimal' hands (mostly all of the time!) I'm even still working on the 0.5/1 levels!! LOL

ScottyZ

PACIFIC POKER .com has some of the industries lowest tables [Someone correct me if i'm wrong...]

PokerStars has $0.02/$0.04 limit holdem. I don't know if Pacific goes lower than that.

ScottyZ

twosnaces

I just moved from $0.5/$1 to $1/$2 on Party and even that small jump has made quite the difference in the level of play. Every hand doesn't go to a showdown and the players seem to be more knowledgable. Play money is the equivalent of picking high card from the deck... not a lot of skill involved.

sweetjimmi

One thing to keep in mind is that Daniel is most likely talking about live B&M games not online games. You need much smaller roll to 5/10 or 10/20 live than you would online. I don't have personal experiance in this area since I am a very casual player but I would say 10/20 live would need around the same roll as 3/6 online. There is a major difference in the number of hands.

I do suggest moving out of the micro limits as soon as possible. There is much better players playing in the 1/2 and up. You will have poor players at all levels but the higher the bets usually means higher the skill.

Jamie.

stoneskn

PokerStars has $0.02/$0.04 limit holdem. I don't know if Pacific goes lower than that.

Paradise also has .02/.04 limit H'E.