08-10-04, LearnTexasHoldem:

Losing At Low Limit Holdem

Question: I'm wondering how you can play $.05/$.1 (cheap, yes, i'll move up a little after I get use to it) limit games online at Pacific Poker and win money. The players are so loose there it amazes me, but I'm a pretty tight player. I always raise with a good hand but they always call, and I always seem to get bad beated on the river. Are they somehow cheating, maybe the people at Pacific Poker. I'm barely breaking even, but I know I could rake in a lot more considering the poor competition. Am I the one at fault? If you can give me advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.

-Mike

Top 3 Beginner Rooms

Answer: No, I doubt they are cheating. Beating low limit games where everyone calls preflop and goes till the river can be challenging. You need to adjust your style of play to accommodate their lack of skill. In games like this you need to think in terms of post flop play instead of preflop play. For example, you are not looking for AA preflop, you are looking to catch two pair on the flop or a draw at a big hand like a straight or flush.

If everyone is playing literally every hand then you can get away with a lot more -- especially if they are also willing to pay you off when you hit. I would start playing way more hands. Play middle cards, suited cards that can make a flush or straight and suited Kings, Queens and Aces. Even a hand like 78 off suit is playable in late position when everyone calls.

There is danger in this though because you need to be able to get away from some hands. You don't want to start calling every hand till the river, you just are looking for big flops. Test it out though and see how you do, just don't take it too far.

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