6-handed vs. 10-handed low limit ring games |
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Posted Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:19 am GMT by lwestatbus
I'd be interested in the group's thoughts on where to play (6- or 10-handed) and why. Here's the background:
Relatively new to Holdem (about eight months) and to online (about 4 months). I play strictly 0.25/0.50 ring since I'm just getting started and I win steadily over the long run since reading a couple of books on fundamentals ('long run' is last three months). I experience swings but when I lose I'm pretty confident that I know why I lost in each session.
Almost immediately after starting real money online play I switched almost exclusively to 6-handed (preferred) or 5-handed tables. Mostly because I was bored waiting for action to make its way around a ten-handed table, especially since I only play 1/6 or less of hands (ten-handed).
Lately, though, I've been rethinking this preference for two reasons:
First, at 6-handed I keep finding myself folding drawing hands because the pot odds don't support playing them. With fewer players in the game unless there are one or two wild players to run up the pot I find myself folding draws, middle pairs with good kickers, two overcards, etc., on the flop in the face of aggression because of pot odds. This is even when I KNOW from experience that the bettor is wild and unlikely to have a real hand. It bothers me to keep knuckling under to these Bozos even though I'm pretty sure its the correct play.
Second, I've been experimenting with 10-handed games this week and am amazed at the kinds of hands people are staying in with. It seems as if the general quality of play 6-handed is higher than 10-handed, though I really don't have enough experience to make a firm conclusion. I do know that I'm playing more hands after the flop because pot or implied odds support the play. This sort of makes up for the extra time I spend watching nine instead of five people bet around a hand I've already decided to fold. Also winning here, but not with enough of a track record to know if this is a pattern or a swing.
So, do you play 4-, 5-, or 6-handed? If so, why? Why don't you play ten-handed? Or if you play both what insights do you have on the differences?
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Posted Fri Oct 14, 2005 11:53 am GMT by BeerWench13
Firstly, are you referring to fixed limit or no-limit. This makes a huge difference in preferences.
I only play NL, but I prefer 10-handed play (actually it's 9-handed on FT) because I don't play a huge amount of hands and I'd prefer not to pay a blind every 5th and 6th hand when I can get 7 hands for free in a 9-handed game.
Also, to avoid boredom, I usually play two tables at a time and have some good tunes on to listen to when I'm not in a hand. I also have the advantage of having the hubby at the other terminal playing as well so I can watch him if I've folded at both tables and am experiencing downtime.
As for what players will stay in with, this really depends on the table IMO, not how many players are there. However, I find myself playing a lot more hands when it's short-handed, much like I would in a tournament, because odds are good that my hand is better than 5 others as opposed to 9 others. JMHO, of course.
If you're referring to limit play, hopefully someone else can help you there. I don't have much experience in that realm.
Posted Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:16 pm GMT by Nut Flush
To be good at 5-6 handed tables, you need to bump up your agressiveness and widen your range of starting hands. If this is not something you're comfortable with, stick to 9-10 handed tables.
I prefer full 9-10 handed ables myself, just for the fact it's easier to multi-table for me.
Posted Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:24 am GMT by howzit
short-handed: semi-bluffs and stealing.
long-handed: value bets make the money.
Posted Mon Jan 16, 2006 6:22 am GMT by Muck
I play very low stakes so people are generally very loose regardless of the number of players. They’re also pretty unobserved and don’t notice how often you fold pre-flop or what you showdown.
For this reason I play 10 handed. I can cheaply wait for strong hands and then value bet them knowing I’m likely to get a bad call. It's dull but the risk is quite low.
Posted Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:10 pm GMT by ReR3ise
I assume you are talking limit.
If you are playing low stakes against weak opposition, I think 10-handed is easier, because you are not penalized for playing tight. At 6-max, loose but agressive players are tough to manage, and even though you still have a big edge, you will face much bigger swings.
To build a bankroll, 10-handed multitable seems like the easiest way.
RR.
Posted Wed Mar 22, 2006 5:58 pm GMT by Brewing
I think you should stay with 4 5 6 handed because ur winning that thoes games and also expiriment with the larger tabled. On the other hand it wouldent be a bad thing to play the larger tables becuase your play so tight.
Also how many tabled do you play at a time?
Posted Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:43 am GMT by exit music
I really find that the 9-10 man tables are far more luck-based. Full Ring = mining for sets/straights/flushes. If you are only playing high cards in full ring you will win lots of small pots with AK and AJ, but eventually you are going to run into a set with your top pair or overpair and lose half of your stack to that LAG who called with 8-10 suited, ect ect. If you are running good, your stack will get huge, if you get outdrawn once or run into a set, you are going to lose money.
6-max games are far more skill based b/c a good portion of your stack has to come from steals, not only that but since you have to play somewhat more aggressively so your good hands get paid off a little more often. The term "play more hands" annoys me in short games b/c it implies that you are loosening your starting hand requirements slightly, but I still don't see flops with 8-Q or K-9. However, I will play aggressively with position, in that case I could easily be betting and re-raising with hands like 8-5 or 10-7. In short handed, don't play looser preflop, play more aggressively with good position.
Posted Mon Jan 01, 2007 6:20 pm GMT by MrDarling
If you limp with 85 , even from the button you loosned up your game.
If you just started I suggest playing the bigger tables. Post flop is where playing poker starts , and as a new player its easier / better to play premium hands only. As a new player it very hard to play TPOK (Top pair ok kicker), but you will need to do it often if you play SH.
For example, ATs is a great hand from the button in SH. But how do you play it if you hit your A and someone lead into you? Or keeps calling your bets?
I now play both, I'm pretty tight with my starting hands. I understand that you need a stronger hand to call a raise then to raise. I'll easily fold AQ from the blinds for a raise and as easily cal from the CO with 89s.
good luck
Danny
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