Blackjack vs Low Limit- Limit Poker, which is best?

[jackhigh]

In Colorado, they have $5 max bet limit casinos. The majority of the poker games spread are $2-5 limit (one $2-$5 blind, max raise $5 capped at $30 per betting round) and $5-$5 (two $5 blinds, capped at $30 per round).

As you may imagine, these low limit "crap shoots" are basically 5-6 people seeing a flop and chasing middle or low pair, gutshots, and 2 outers to the river (at least one always calling any river bet).

Presently the casinos have upped their rake to $1 per $10 pot up to $5 per $50 pot (basically 10% up to $50).

With the high rake, along with a $2 bad beat bonus take and an average of $1 tip per pot... and the "no fold em call to the river suck-out players" is this game even beatable in the short or long term by competent proper poker play (if so, how big of an advantage would you need to have to overcome this)? Or, would it be better just to play basic strategy Blackjack (with very player friendly rules) with a house advantage of only .35% (as per wizard of odds)?

Thanks in advance! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Flip-Flop]

I used to play live 2/4 loose limit games with family pots (5-8 to flop on average) for very short period of time and moved to 5/10 ASAP.

The reason? It was beatable but very....very annoying game.
It`s only good for practicing tilt control and table manners.

"Small Stakes Hold`em" by Miller/Sklansky/Malmuth would be the best read for a perfect strategy. [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

[jackhigh]

Is it still beatable with an average 16% house vig (rake, bad beat, tip)? If so, how much of a favorite do your hands need to be to offset this along with the other loose play, family pot factors? Should I just play blackjack instead (.35% house advantage) for my gambling fix?

Any mathematicians out there?

[Shroomy]

I would think that at the minimum you would have to be able to estimate your edge vs the typical player (an average of an avererage) to figure this out, but Im sure you could figure out what your break even edge would have to be. Then you would just have to factor in the number of hands per hour at both black jack and poker, and of course what your standard be would be in BJ.

[img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[helter skelter]

I don't play BJ so I don't know what the variance is playing that, but with the low limit hold'em game, you can go thru big swings even if you do have an edge after vig., so you need the bankroll and temper to withstand that.

Your 16% vig implies an average pot of $50. I would think the average pot would be much bigger if there is a lot of action.

[matt85]

You probably still have a small edge in poker inclusive of rake and BJ variance is absolutely horrendous.