Would you try this game?

[mxp2004]

I've been playing hold'em for about 4 years now, and I have become a winning player. I have a bankroll that is currently about $2,000. It's been much higher, but whenever it gets too high, I get increasing demands at home to put the money to some family uses (this just happened recently and accounts for the current level). In any event, the roll is generally enough to play cash games and tournaments in AC a few times a month, and so it all works out. This is, after all, just a hobby for me.

Today, I got an email from a friend who has been invited to play in a 2/5 NL home game. I "know of" the guys who are running the game, but I don't really "know" them.

Generally, I know that they like to play cards and that they like to gamble. I have played with some of these guys a few times before, but it was several years ago when I was just learning the game, and it was in a tournament setting at a club to which we all belong. At least in that setting, and from what I recall, a few of these guys were big drinkers and average poker players at best.

Given the limited information that I have and how I've progressed as a player, I feel like this game could potentially be a goldmine for me. My impressions are that it will be filled with LAG types and drinkers and that my TAG approach might work out well.

I am concerned, however, about the size of the game. I have never heard of 2/5 NL home game before, and to play my game, I'd have to buyin for $500, or 25% of my current bankroll. Because of the size of my bankroll, I stick to 1/2 NL in B&M play, even though I feel my skill level is good enough to compete at 2/5 in a casino.

What factors would you consider in deciding whether to accept this invitation? Or should prudence dictate that this invitation is a non-starter until my bankroll gets higher?

[Lottery Larry]

[ QUOTE ]
I have never heard of 2/5 NL home game before, and to play my game, I'd have to buyin for $500, or 25% of my current bankroll. Because of the size of my bankroll, I stick to 1/2 NL in B&M play, even though I feel my skill level is good enough to compete at 2/5 in a casino.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you care if you lose your bankroll in a short time? Because that could happen on an unlucky card or misread circumstance.

I'm not a NL expert, but 4 buy-ins doesn't sound like enough to weather the curve.

[mxp2004]

[ QUOTE ]
Do you care if you lose your bankroll in a short time? Because that could happen on an unlucky card or misread circumstance.

I'm not a NL expert, but 4 buy-ins doesn't sound like enough to weather the curve.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would have to answer "yes." It's not so much that I need the money for personal financial security. It's more that I don't want to use "family funds" to pay for my poker hobby. I have never have, and I never want to.

I know that there probably are different guidelines for people who make a living playing poker as opposed to amateurs who play for fun like me, but I try to maintain a ratio of 10x the max buyin of the stakes that I play. In other words, if I typically buyin for 100x the BB in a NL game, and the stakes are 2/5, usually I would want a $5,000 roll (enough for 10 buyins of $500). That's why I stay with 1/2 in the casinos as a rule because my bankroll usually is in the $2,000 to $4,000 range.

[dnord]

Four buyins is insane if you're going to do this a lot. But if you're going to do it once, and you aren't going to burst into tears if you lose two buyins (seriously, think about it) then I think you're in a great position to take a shot.

[BrianBigNFun]

One time shot then yeah, why not? Otherwise, I wouldnt without the proper bankroll- if the players are super LAGs then you could experience a wider variance. Even tho long run you could get some serious cash, you need deeper pockets or your roll could get zeroed in a hurry.

[grando]

obviously you're an idiot if you're gonna play in a game with 4 buyins that you can't afford to lose

[Grasshopp3r]

Stop in at the game to assess their level of play prior to playing. Then, you will have a better idea if they are super LAGs or just gambooolers.

You can also ask them if they would move down in blinds for you, though that is unlikely.

[FireStorm]

Don't play, you'd be going against every bankroll requirement theory that currently exists.

[Rottersod]

[ QUOTE ]

What factors would you consider in deciding whether to accept this invitation? Or should prudence dictate that this invitation is a non-starter until my bankroll gets higher?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like this is a serious bump in stakes for you so I wouldn't recommend it. If you want to start playing higher find a 2/3 game with a $300 buy in. When you jump stakes like this you don't want to do it on such a short BR.

[Wongboy]

[ QUOTE ]
It's been much higher, but whenever it gets too high, I get increasing demands at home to put the money to some family uses (this just happened recently and accounts for the current level).

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm unclear as to why your significant other knows how much you have in your bankroll. You said that you never tap into family funds to supplement your bankroll, so to my way of thinking, your BR level is not really your SO's concern. I am in a similar poition, except that I take zero funds from my day job to pay for anything (all lunches, spending money, etc comes from poker). My wife just knows that I make enough to cover anything small I want to buy, and she is appreciative of the fact that I do not need to tap my salary for pocket change. I also buy her something nice on holidays and special occassions (all gifts come from poker winnings). Telling your SO about the details of your session results and BR level is a bad practice that is bound to get you in trouble, IMHO. I know that my wife would not understand or be comfortable with the swings in my bankroll.

That being said, if you really want to take a shot at this game, then grind your $1/$2 game until you have built a $5K BR, don't tell your SO your precise BR level, and play the $2/$5 game. If you lose 6 buy-ins, then drop back down to your $1/$2 game, rinse & repeat.