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The dilemma:

- you can't push anyone out of the hand

- many times players will cap betting with any two cards (even an 8-3!)

- when this style of play is used you have a hard time seeing flops.

What would you recommend as the best strategy for playing 5 -5 texas holdem?

Answer:

First of all, I'm assuming this is a limit holdem game, because you used the word "cap." Usually when you here a game like 5-5 or 20-20, that's a no limit cash game -- it's a different way of saying the blinds are 10/20.

Let's go over how this differs from a regular limit structure and what that means, then I'll make a couple points about this game in general.

Number one, as a general rule, the more money that is forced in preflop, the looser the game is. For example, a 15/30 game where there is a $15 big blind and a $10 small blind should be a looser game than a game where the small blind is half the big blind. What this means is that you should be playing a little more loosely preflop than you normally do. Secondly, in a standard limit holdem game, a cap is usually 4x the big blind, meaning $20 here on the flop/preflop and then double that for the turn/river. This structure differs for two reasons: One reason is that the cap is 6x what the big blind is, as opposed to 4x. Secondly, the cap remains the same throughout the hand, while in a typical game the betting doubles for the turn/river. This will definitely change the dynamics of the game. Expect to be drawn out on more. A $5 or $10 bet on the flop isn't going to get anyone off a hand. You should do a lot more drawing too, if the price is right. Notice that in a regular game the drawing loses a lot of its value on the turn since the bet doubles. In this game, since the bet remains the same, you have the odds to call more and try to suck out. This is offset some by the fact that you won't get paid off as much if you do hit, but that's ok, it's still worth drawing more. Pot odds are going to play a big role in this game too. The more money that goes in preflop, the more you'll want to try and draw.

Now for some tips on this specific game. It sounds like the game is a really loose wild one. In that type of game, don't play hands that you would mind if the betting gets capped. You want to play hands that can work together in a number of ways -- can make a straight using both cards, make a flush, etc. Then you'll take that hand and try to connect with a flop. If there is a lot of money in preflop, then I would see the turn too with relatively weak hands to see if you pick up a flush or straight draw on the turn. How weak am I talking here? For example, say you have a hand like T9 suited. If there $20 in from 5 players preflop, I would see the turn with many flops, even something like A - 8 - 2 (with one of your suit). I'd also see the turn if I flopped a pair, to see if I could trip up or catch two pair. The point is, any hand that can draw to a big hand, you'll want to go as far as you can, based on the size of the pot. What you want to try to avoid is paying a lot preflop, then folding on the flop, only to have the turn and river bet $5 each. A $5 bet into a pot this size is nothing; you'll call with just about anything reasonable. So pay attention to how the hands are going. Are they bet hard through each round? Or is there lots of action preflop and then the players slow down some?

In wild games, position can help a lot because you can see what everyone else does -- how much the bet is going to cost you -- before you commit chips. I would play much more loosely in the back, or after the wild players have acted, than I would up front. The value of the hand doesn't change really, it's just that you can see if it is going to cost you $5 or $30 to see the flop. Now, any time that you can see the flop for only $5 with just about anything decent, I would -- especially if the opponents are really bad. What you are doing is giving up some equity preflop to try and hit a big flop and make it back postflop. On the other hand if the game is aggressive with tons of preflop action, I'd tighten up some. Then postflop I would go a lot farther with my hands. How loose is loose? If everyone is limping in for $5 every hand, and I'm on the button, I'd probably play just about any two cards -- even garbage like 24. This is strictly an odds game then. You'll see flops and try to connect and get out if it doesn't look promising.

It's important to change your thinking about what a "good" hand is for this type of structure. Top pair is never going to hold up unless it improves, so don't play it too strongly. AA is a good starting hand, but again, it isn't going to hold up much. So slow down with hands like top pair, especially late in the hand. Save your money for when you have two pair or better. You'll still play, just not as strongly.

Next, like I mentioned above, you need to pay attention to the odds a lot. You don't have to have an exact figure, just ball park ones. You want to have an idea if the pot is small, meaning you won't draw much, medium, meaning some draws are worthwhile, or big, meaning you'll be in it until the end. Then you'll take the size of the bet and compare it to the pot. If it is that little $5 bet, you'll call with just about anything. And as the bet gets larger, you'll tighten up more.

Next, you mentioned that it is impossible to push someone off a hand. Don't even attempt that. With $5 bets into big pots, there is no way you'll be able to push anyone off anything. Expect to lose a lot of hands. And lastly, remember that this isn't a standard holdem game, so much of the stuff you've learned won't exactly apply. For example, that $5 preflop could be considered an antee even, instead of a bet, because of the size of the pots. You'll really have a hard time winning in that game if you play too tightly.

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