Prepping for "the jump"

mtdoak · #1 02-20-2006, 10:35 AM

I am a winnining 5/10 6 max player "preparing" for the jump to 10/20. My friend OurHouse has been talking to me, preparing me for the jump and what to expect. I'm basically looking for advice. I've been playing poker seriously for a year, I spun my wheels at 3/6 for way too long, switched to shorthanded in August, Finally hit 5/10 last month and now almost have 500 BB for 10/20. I'm debating on waiting another month of 5/10 and really getting into a groove here before jumping up. What should my expectations be of 10/20 6 max @ Party. Outside of more LAGs and more sheer agression, and higher variance what else should i expect? Any books I should read? I have read Middle Limit Hold'em, HPFAP, and King Yao's "Weighing the Odds in Hold'em Poker". Thanks in advance.

Gildwulf · #2 02-20-2006, 10:37 AM

The LAGs are often better, the TAGs are much better, the fish may be worse and the game selection is harder than 5/10.

stigmata · #3 02-20-2006, 10:52 AM

I would suggest just mixing some 10/20 in for a little bit, playing some 10/20 when you feel good about your game, or when a game looks good (perhaps follow a buddy up). Play less tables, too.

imitation · #4 02-20-2006, 10:56 AM

have a shot, you will likely get your ass handed to you because well to be honest 1 mth at 5/10 is nothing and you probably ran good to have the confidence to already try 10/20, but if you luckbox off there as well then you'll have a good opportunity at learning the game and sticking it out.

Gildwulf · #5 02-20-2006, 10:59 AM

Yea, I got my ass handed to me my first two shots and then something clicked/luckbox and here we are.

Good luck, dude

SamG · #6 02-20-2006, 11:55 AM

The TAGs are better, and the bad players tend to be LAGs instead of the LP types. Even the bad players can often read hands. There are still a few real fish at this level, though, thankfully.

It is a good time to take a shot since I think many of the better TAGs are now playing 20/40 6m or 30/60 6m.

I might set aside 100-150 BBs and take a shot. Try to play on the weekend when the games are softer. Table select good. Find games with at least one or two big fish instead of a table full of 30/20/2 and 40/20/2 types.

Good luck!

ghcnoob · #7 02-20-2006, 02:33 PM

No reason you can't take a shot, though the warnings you have read are certainly valid. I hope you have some datamined hands because 10/20 in the dark is a scary place to be at first...

1) The bad players play too many hands, but often play better postflop. They will raise on the turn with little and keep you off balance.

2) The good players are trickier...

3) Your success in 5/10 IS FOR A VERY SHORT TIME. It could be because you are ready for the game, but it could EASILY be variance. I hope you have the goods, but if you stumble a bit don't lose confidence, and don't be surprised. But, then again, you may not be ready yet. Such a short stay at 5/10 makes predicting the future hard.

Still, hope you kill the games!

The Bryce · #8 02-20-2006, 02:37 PM

Pay attention. Play lots of hands. Improve.

kapw7 · #9 02-20-2006, 04:42 PM

I am in the same boat like you. I set aside 150 BB in Party to take a shot at 10/20 mainly during weekends. My first session I was overwhelmed by the agression and a lot of times feeling like a scared puppy.
Look at this hand. The turn raise was a misclick not unlikely due to high adrenaline level. (I was like: "I'm not folding you XXXX". Before I knew the "raise" button was hit)
But seriously wtf is wrong with these people?

Villain was 40/15/1.9 and looked overagressive but half decent post flop.
Party Poker 10/20 Hold'em (6 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is Button with A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
1 fold, MP raises, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets, 2 folds, MP calls.

Flop: (7.50 SB) 5[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 2[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets, MP calls.

Turn: (4.75 BB) 8[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets, MP raises, Hero 3-bets, MP calls.

River: (10.75 BB) Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 players)
MP bets, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 12.75 BB

Results in white below: 
MP has 4c Jc (one pair, queens).
Hero has Ad Jd (one pair, queens).
Outcome: Hero wins 12.75 BB. 

Good luck! And stay calm.

Josh. · #10 02-20-2006, 04:44 PM

acquaint yourself with the call button

you have been around for a while. i suspect your fundamentals are solid and you have lots of experience. unless you run bad to start, i'd put my money on you never looking back