New to Vegas - Micro limit player

[LuckyTxGuy]

As a total hijack of this thread, I always find it amusing that people will suggest players move to higher stakes poker because the rake is difficult to beat at a certain game. Most often the case is that the player does not have the bankroll to play higher, nor can he beat the players at the higher stakes. While beating the rake might be difficult or even impossible in some games, the rake remains the same and never changes. The gap between your opponent's ability and your "dis"-ability can grow greatly at higher stakes and while you can beat the rake in theory, if you are severely loosing to the other players, you would have greatly benefited from playing smaller stakes. You might still have a loss but the losses will be on average much smaller if you are just loosing to the rake and not to the players also.

Just my 2 cents, which I feel applies to the OP since he admits he is on a short bankroll and his current skills aren't what they used to be. Personally, I applaud him for being honest with himself about it.

[jeffnc]

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As a total hijack of this thread, I always find it amusing that people will suggest players move to higher stakes poker because the rake is difficult to beat at a certain game. Most often the case is that the player does not have the bankroll to play higher, nor can he beat the players at the higher stakes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah that's a good point, but they have a good point as well. Consider $2/4 at the IP and $4/8 at the Bellagio. Yes you might have bankroll issues but the game is equally beatable and you have less rake. So the bankroll issue is offset somewhat by the higher earn rate. At any rate, if 2/4 is affordable, I really think 3/6 is too, and you can find easy games for that anywhere too.

Usually when we talk about moving up in limits and facing tougher players, it doesn't really matter until hitting 10/20 or something like that. Certainly, that could very easily be beyond bankroll, and there's a very realistic chance of starting to run into (some) good players.

[LasVegasMichael]

Keep in mind that Ballys/Paris/Harrahs have a $5 rake plus $1 jackpot. Everywhere else in Vegas is $4 max +$1 JP (in rooms that have JPs, which is most).

Treasure Island, MGM Grand, Luxor, Excalibur, and Monte Carlo would be my recommendation (basically non Harrahs properties).

[PwB]

I just got back from my most recent trip (by just got back, I mean about 12 hours ago.)

I didn't play on the strip this time, because I was feeling anti-strip for some reason, so I played at Tuscany (on Flamingo.) I also decided to play LHE this trip, rather than 1-2/1-3 NL.

So here's the thing I suggest, because it worked pretty darned well for me. I decided to brush up on low stakes LHE (been a couple of years since I played it in a casino) so i brought Small Stakes Hold 'em with me and re-read the first half of it on the plane.

After rake, tipping what would be considered by many to be exorbitantly (5%ish of pot) and tipping waitresses from my stack, I still walked away with what averaged to be $34.50 per hour from $3-6 LHE, just by applying what I'd read in the book (and not being perfect about it, either - I definitely missed a lot of bets by being sloppy.)

Last time I played LHE was $2 - 4 at Excalibur, but that was when I first started playing and sucked more than I do now.

Just remember to relax and have fun. It's easy enough to put low-stakes poker into perspective if you just rememember that you can easily lose an entire poker buy-in from a 45-second run of bad cards at the blackjack table.

[Spiffysean]

The only issues I have with playing 1/2NL is running bad with bad players. For instance, I am a strong enough player to crush a 1/2 game with very little effort. Really all you need to do is play 1-2-3 poker.

The problem is when your AK gets beat by A5, or when your Kings get run down by pocket 3's... I can put my money in where I am no less than a 75% favorite, and still end up bad for the night.

The problem is one guy sucking out on you can crush your bankroll, and I understand that concern. If I am going to play 1/2, I need to have 400-500 dollars, even if I am buying in for 100. You have to assume that someone is going to get out on you. It's the variance argument - If you are a good player, and keep playing "right" poker, you will end up winner in the end... Provided you have the bankroll to do that.

Honestly, if you want practice at low-limit NL Holdem, go online and play at a .5/.10 table, where you can't get hurt too bad. If you are showing a profit there, you can expect the same at a 1/2 table.

Remember, it's one long session!

Hope that helps!

[Michael Brennan]

O'Shea's has a great, soft 1-5 spread limit game right on the strip. Lots of drunk players, lots of players seeing the flop and lots of fun.

Play good cards and understand the range of hands the other players are calling with and you should beat the rake.

[Spiffysean]

Yeah... But O'Sheas is a S$#%hole. I'd rather not play with frat boys throwing beer on me... and the poker room is like, right on the sidewalk!

If you are 25 and want to party while playing, that's not a bad room. However, if you want a fun room with a MUCH better atmosphere, try the Excalibur, Luxor, or even Circus Circus.