$200 Max 1/2 No-Limit Strategy Question...

[The_Bowler]

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this matter....

I am a winning no-limit small buy on-line player
$10 Max, $25 max, $50 max online player 50,000+ hands 15.38 BB/ 100 hands.

Venturing into the live games here in Detroit, playing the 1/2 $200 max game

Asking for some input...
The $200 max game usually has either massive limping, 50-60%, unraised pots... OR the bring in is usually $15-$20...
The game traditionally never has an opening raise for less than $10 (5x BB)
and often the "standard" opening raise is $15 (7.5x BB). So the play is like limp or raise $15 into a $1 small and $2 BB... Seems like a gross raise.

My initial assessment is to "tighten" my starting requirements, and re-raise or open with this "standard ($12-15). Or Getting in on the limp festival when in late position and try to flop a killer.

The game seems loose when all the limping is going on, and all pre-flop when the raises are $15 - $20...

How would you all approach this kind of game?
Thanks again for your thoughts...
The_ Bowler

[flytrap]

I play the 5/10 NL ($300NL is what they call it) like four times a week at Motor City Casino, and I do play the $1/2 now and then. If you see a young guy in a hoodie and Full Tilt hat, say hi. If the 'standard' raise is $15 and that is getting action, then go ahead and make that your standard raise. If $25 is constantly getting callers, make it $25 with your good hands. The reason people online make it 3-4 bbs is because that's what gets action. If you can get action with a bigger raise, assuming you want some action, make the bigger raise. If the game has mostly raising PF, you definately need to tighten up in early and mid position with cards you plan to limp. Pairs still play great, as the implied odds are often great even having to call 1/8th of your stack preflop. Just don't play hands that aren't worth $15 if that's what most hands are being raised to. On the contrary, if hardly any pots are being raised, you can of course loosen up from every position, and play very loose in the CO and BB. The only reason I don't recommend any two on the button is because the stacks aren't usually more than 100bbs. Also, what I do in the $200 and $500 games is I buy like $200 more than I need in chips, so I can top-off every hand.

[postoakpoker]

you should also take into account that most 1-2 live players don't know when/how to fold a hand, so position loses some of its value. mostly because the strength of a cbet is somewhat limited bc people are going to call a pot sized bet with holdings as weak as a gutshot.