Poker Game Tips

Here’s the common road that most beginning cash game players take in online poker:

1. They take some time to learn micro stakes poker strategy. 2. They jump on the tables thinking that they’ll destroy the competition because these low limit players have to be horrible. 3. They discover that the generic advice they read in some Phil Hellmuth book that’s meant for tournament players from the mid-2000′s doesn’t work in micro stakes cash games. 4. After losing their $5 or $10 table max several times in NL Hold’em, they jump on forums and complain that the micro stakes can’t be beaten.

So is this really the case? Are the micro stakes unbeatable – even for the people who skip step #3? As you might have guessed, yes, the micro stakes ($0.01/$0.02 – $0.25/$0.50) are beatable. However, you have to be aware that the action is going to be looser, and there are more calling stations at the tables.

In addition to this, you should also remember that you should respect most micro stakes players’ hands. If there is a straight possibility on the board and you’ve been value bet to the river, don’t call their all-in move. The vast majority of micro stakes players are going to have what they represent – especially if they value bet (assuming they know how to).

Another thing to do is give players bad pot odds to call, but don’t be surprised when they hit a drawing hand. This is one of the biggest leaks that most skilled micro stakes players have in that they are shocked when somebody in middle position hits a straight with 4-5. Sure they might have made stupid plays when calling your big pre-flop raises with 4-5. But this doesn’t mean you should call their all-in move when A-2-3 is sitting on the board (this goes back to the aforementioned point about believing what players are representing).

One more thing worth mentioning is that you should stick to ABC poker strategy at the low limits instead of concentrating on advanced concepts. Focusing on table position, playing good cards and value betting is far more important than bluffing or creating a table image.

If you stick with these principles, you should have success in beating the micro limits!