Thoughts on Spread Limit Poker??

[baibj03]

While traveling for work last night, I stopped in on a casino in Southern Washington where NL is not allowed unless you are on an Indian Reservation. The spread limit was 4-40. 1 and 2 blinds with a 4 minimum opening bet.

I was not accustomed to the spread limit, but I really don't mind it. The problem is people can stay in and catch for a fraction of the pot on 4th and 5th streets.

I'm just looking for some general comments of what people think of spread limit poker...how much does your strategy change from NL?

[Percula]

It really depends on the extent of the spread.

A 1/5 game is a limit game from beginning to end.

A 4/40 game is NL pre and pretty much limit from the flop on out.

A 5-10/150 is NL pre and most flops, limit from there on out.

A 5/500 is NL in most hands to the end.

[Pokeraddict]

Deadwood is my B&M and NL is illegal as there is a $100 bet limit. 2-10 is the most popular spread with a 5-50 and 2-100 also in town.

The 2-10 is pretty much a 5/10 game with 1 and 2 blinds. I've never played the 5/50 but from what I have seen and have been told it is like playing 25/50 with 2/5 blinds. The 2-100 is like playing shortstacked 1/2 NL. They are easy to adjust to IMO even though I have the games.

[PorkchopDJG]

I agree with Percula.
The lesser the spread the more like Fixed Limit, the bigger the spread more like No Limit.
I play 2/10 and 4/20 here in MN at the Indian casinos and it plays very similar to a limit game.
Preflop since it's only $2 to see the flop I like to limp in with speculative hands like 44 and 89s from late position hoping to hit big flops. If you limp and someone raises max It's usually right to just fold.
Postflop if nobody raised preflop, you can usually bet max and others don't really have the odds to chase unless they have a really good draw but they oftentimes still do.
If many see the flop for like $8-10 preflop, they will have the odds to call down for one bet with many draws so it becomes just like a limit game.
You can protect your hand a bit more than a typical fixed limit game because if someone bets max and then you raise max with your flopped 2 pair or trips it is very doubtful that someone will cold call those 2 large bets with only a mediocre draw. Also since the bet never doubles on later streets it's usually not a good idea to chase because you won't get paid off as much when you do hit.

[baibj03]

Thanks for the input. It definitely was a new experience for me. The action was there last night as the normal preflop raise was up to 10 or even 17. Then postflop the normal bet was 20-25 with an occasional max raise to 60 or 65. Never once saw a 3 bet after the flop.

I did bluff OOP heads up on a A567K board with 88 in the hole. I called the 40 max turn hoping for a 10 outer but popped him for the full 40 correctly putting him on QQ when the K landed.

It seems these spread limit games provide more opportunities for timely bluffs on 5th street.

[CubicZirconia]

[ QUOTE ]
I play 2/10 and 4/20 here in MN at the Indian casinos and it plays very similar to a limit game.

[/ QUOTE ]

I play the 3/6 at Mille Lacs quite a bit and I've been wondering how much bigger the 2/10 spread plays. What do you typically buy in for?

[PorkchopDJG]

Hey Cubic,
2/10 I usually buy in for $300
4/20 I usually buy in for $400-$500

I would definitely step up to 2/10.
There are many bad players and people who don't adjust to playing spread limit.
Once you get the hang of it and some experience you will have a big edge.

Good Luck!

[PantsOnFire]

Depending on the pot size, this game sounds like NL early, PL mid and Limit at the river.

It would probably take some thinking to adjust to this structure but if you are better than the other players in the first place, then it sounds like a good game.

Edit: It looks like villain folded his QQ on the river to essentially a Limit sized bet which is probably a pretty big mistake. Yep, that might be a real juicy game if you can even adjust to a factor or two.

[dbldwnblue]

so is SL like limit in that it is capped at four full bets? Ive never played or even come across SL here in LA yet but I am going to be moving to either Portland, OR or Seattle, WA early next year and want to be prepared when I do sit down at the table.

[Fubster]

[ QUOTE ]
so is SL like limit in that it is capped at four full bets? Ive never played or even come across SL here in LA yet but I am going to be moving to either Portland, OR or Seattle, WA early next year and want to be prepared when I do sit down at the table.

[/ QUOTE ]

Basically yes.

Spread limit is awesome imo. $2-$10 SL 1/2 blinds = moneytree.