Moving up, limit cash

I've decided to take a shot at low stakes limit hold'em. I'm going to mix in some $0.50/$1.00 with $0.25/$0.50.

I've run well at $0.25/$0.50, making 150 BB so far with a healthy win rate of around 8 BB/100. Thanks to some sit n' go contributions my bankroll is enough to take a 100BB shot at the next level. The sample size is too small to be conclusive, but I'm confident I'm beating $0.25/$0.50 if only because there are so many bad players there donating.

So far in limit I've moved through the micro stakes levels with a good win rate at each level. Of course people don't just keep moving up. If that was the case everyone would be playing $100/$200. Poker has an efficient Peter Principle. Once you reach the level of your incompetence you either go bust or have to move down. In general I believe that moving up each level is progressively tougher, there are fewer players at each level up, and fewer players at a given level will be able to reach the next level higher.

Pretty much everyone hits the wall somewhere. Over on 2+2 in the micro stakes limit forum, people report hitting the wall at different levels including $0.50/$1.00, $1/$2, $2/$4, $5/$10. So who knows how it will go. I hope I can stick at the next level because I like the sound of calling myself a low stakes player. The term small stakes player is also pleasing.

In the past when I moved up I made a clean break from the previous level. That was possible because there were always good tables available to play at in the new level. I don't think that will be possible at $0.50/$1.00. There seem to be fewer good tables at that level, and there is often a substantial waiting list. I do resolve to continue to be disciplined about table and seat selection, looking for high flop percentages, known fish, and position on the bad players. If it's not there then no play. I'm not going to lower my game selection standards so that I can get into a game.

So like many, I'll play a mix of levels looking for profitable tables. I'll use a progression. Start by looking for a good $0.50/$1.00 table. If nothing good then look for a good $0.25/$0.50 game. If still nothing then do a sit n' go or play NL cash or take a 5 minute break and look again. So I guess I can say I play $0.25/$0.50 and $0.50/$1.00.

I don't mind sticking around some more at $0.25/$0.50. That is an enjoyable and profitable level. There are a remarkable number of fish there. Plus a modest 10BB pot is a cool $5, which is always nice to win. I was able to drag a couple of $10 pots at $0.25/$0.50. I came close but just missed a couple of $15 pots. One time I had queens in a 5 way capped preflop. I flopped top set and the 2 suit flop was capped 3 way. Unfortunately villian who had called a capped preflop with KT hit his straight on the turn to win. I wasn't able to boat up on the river. That's OK, if people want to call a capped preflop with KT then that's profitable for me long term. At $0.50/$1.00 with the higher stakes I hope I can take my first $15 pot, and hopefully a $20 pot too.