09- 9-05, LearnTexasHoldem:

Moving Up In Limits

Question: I started playing the money side of a poker site recently, and am wondering about when or whether to move up in limits. My usual game is $10 PL, with some $5 + .50 10-seat NL tournaments thrown in, and I'm doing pretty well at both, though over a short term. My $40 in PL winnings work out close to $3 per hour of play, and I have a first, second, and third in five tournaments (plus two fourths, but close doesn't count in poker).

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This looks pretty good to me, especially compared to the one big bet per hour figure you've cited for limit play.  Still, I know that A) I'm doing this at micro-limits, against presumably the weakest set of players at the site, and B) it's not all that much data to go on:  it could be beginner's luck.  I'm not looking to leap straight up to $3/$6 or $200 NL, but I am thinking about $25 or even $50 NL or PL (though higher PL games are scarce at this site).

Given how I'm doing so far, and that I'm trying to maximize my profits, am I ready to graduate from micro-limit, and keep winning at the next level? My bankroll's over $350, so I can absorb some hits, and I won't be stupdily proud about stepping back down to $10 PL if I get my nose bloodied higher up. Right now, though, I feel caught between being too rash and not trusting my skills enough. I hope you can help.

A second quick question: I'm going to be making a trip (for other reasons) to a casino town soon. In case I decide to play some hold-em there, what's the proper etiquette for tipping at the table: how much, how often, and such?

Thanks,

Shane

Answer: Two things:

1. There are steps up in limits that have conceptual/strategy changes and then there is just playing with more money. For example, moving from a $5/10 to a $15/30 limit game would be a big step both in money and strategy. You'll definitely find that the games are harder at 15/30 than at 5/10. I doubt that at the micro limits there will be much change, so you are fine there.

2. The main variable to look at when deciding to move up in limits is your bankroll. If you have proven that you can beat the lower limit, by winning consistently and building the roll, then try the next step up. You need a big enough bankroll to give the next step up an honest try. Having $350 is more than enough to play $25 NL.

Now, as for the etiquette for tipping at the table... After you pull a pot, you give the dealer a chip -- called "toking." You toke a dollar chip. Even at larger limits, people just tip a buck. You'll find some people who do more, but not many serious players will. Some people also tip more when they win larger pots, which doesn't make any sense to me. The dealer doesn't have any control who wins or loses so regardless of the outcome, they should get the same amount. I don't tip less for small pots so why would I tip more for large ones? These same people who tip more or less based on pot size also believe that there are lucky and unlucky dealers for them.

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