Restricted buy-In vs. capped buy-in thoughts..

Bill King · #1 07-26-2006, 12:00 PM

I have found that I no longer like to play in restricted buy-in NL games in a live setting, especially casino's with a time charge. It has changed from when i first started playing, to now when i feel i am a much better player and have good post flop skills. I feel that with a restricted buy-in, that a lot of that is taken away because it feels almost that it becomes a rush to get your chips in, and really doesnt let you play poker. does anybody else feel the same way?

example: in a $2/$5 No Limit Holdem game where i regularly play (Foxwoods), there is a $200-$500 buy in, $2 & $5 blinds, with $6 time charge per player per half hour/dealer rotation.

one step from that would be the highest restricted buy-in game available, the $5/$10 No Limit with a buy-in from $500-$1500. This structure allows a little more play, but it still doesnt really allow you to get a lot of preflop/postflop play in a live setting, especially depending on how live your table is.

then theres the $10/$25 NL game, with an unrestricted buy-in. the game is only really good to play on the weekends where there are live players and good action. but even during the week, against tougher players, i feel i'd have way more trouble playing in a restricted buy-in rather than an unrestricted. is this a flaw? or possibly a good thing? suggestions and personal results are welcome.

huggybear96 · #2 07-26-2006, 10:44 PM

I'm not sure what you mean about feeling rushed to get your chips in. Maybe it's the $6 charge and not the resticted buy-in.

I don't think you should feel too rushed with 100 BB. I personally buy-in with 60 BB, and it has always done me right. But then again, I'm more of a TAG player.

I don't think I would ever feel comfortable about playing in an unresticted buy-in NL game. There is always that one player who has no respect for money and is willing to gamble it up with just about any hand. Those seem to be the players that take my money.

Could you go into more detail about having trouble playing in a restricted buy-in rather than an unrestricted one?

stickupkid81 · #3 07-27-2006, 05:47 PM

I loved playing the 2-5 game at bellagio when it was capped at $200 buy in. The softest game I ever played in. I think the capped buy in's bring in horrible players,usually loose/passive or tight/passive players. Personally I want more than anyone at the table so I can push everyone around.

Bill King · #4 07-27-2006, 05:52 PM

the thoughts are that in an unrestricted game it allows you to get more play and to exploit your opponents weaknesses over a long session.

when i sit down and play a real deep NL game (say, 10/25) and sit with $20,000 and a good table (always, which is paramount in NL games), i do much better than a game which plays essentially like a tournament, in that an opening raise in a 2/5 game is $40, and that makes it almost always profitable to push/call wiht a lot of hands (which can work out to your advantage and cant) that you wouldnt have to in a bigger game. it also gives you almost no bluffing/play setting equity.

Jeff76 · #5 07-27-2006, 07:00 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think I would ever feel comfortable about playing in an unresticted buy-in NL game. There is always that one player who has no respect for money and is willing to gamble it up with just about any hand. Those seem to be the players that take my money.

[/ QUOTE ]This shouldn't be a problem, as long as you aren't bringing too much to the table.

I only play online, but I prefer the tables that aren't restricted. It is way too easy to get pot comitted, which makes weaker players play correcty unintentionally.

Bill King · #6 07-28-2006, 11:32 PM

this is exactly what i was trying to point out. its a different game and favors getting your chips in quicly. i almost feel like i have to double up and then i can start to really play some poker.

NickPoker · #7 07-29-2006, 03:35 AM

I really think it depends on a lot of things. Like you said your style, also your bankroll, and your post flop skills. I agree with one of the earlier posters, your competition will probably be weaker in a capped gain (weak players will go broke faster in the unrestricted game). You should play whatever game you can win the most ( if making $ is your goal).