Online Poker Tips - Finding the Right Table Limit in Hold'em
A lot of variables need to be considered in order to determine your ideal table limit in Texas Hold'em. For most players, that number lies somewhere between their bankroll and their ambitions. By that we mean that the limit you can play at is partially decided by how much you want to win and partially decided by how much you can afford to lose.
How Your Bankroll Breaks Down
When looking at a poker room's list of cash tables, a lot of what are considered to be middling stakes don't seem very expensive at all while the micro-stakes (tables ranging from $.01/$.02 to $.05/$.10) seem downright paltry. When figuring what kind of stack it will take to be competitive at these tables, it's best to look at the bigger picture. For example, amateurs should never play short-stacked. A short stack is anything under 50x the big blind. At the lowest possible level, that means buying in with as little as a dollar, but at the $1/$2 stakes that means buying in with at least $100. And that's just for one session.
If your plan is to play only one table at a time, then determining your maximum possible limit is easy. Remember that your bankroll should be big enough to cover at least your first month. To determine how that translates to table limit, divide it by how many sessions you plan to play per month, then divide that number by 50. The resulting number is the largest blind you should be playing, and that's with your minimum buy-in. If you might be playing more or longer or chipping away at the bankroll with a few tournament entries too, then you should lower your limit even more.
Choosing a Betting Structure
Before you take the 50x equation above to heart, consider also what kind of format you'll be playing. You'll no doubt be safe with a 50x stack at a fixed limit table, but bear in mind the stakes can get pretty high pretty fast at pot limit and that you could be asked to shove all in with your entire stack at a no limit Hold'em game. For that reason, many NL Hold'em players buy-in at the maximum of 100x or more.
Other Factors
Other things you should consider before choosing your table limit are how often you plan to play and if you want to multi-table. If you're going to be playing a regular session five days a week, then you'll probably have to play a lower limit than you would if you were playing only once a day. The same is true if you plan to multi-table. The aforementioned micro-stakes tables can actually be quite profitable and offer considerably more action if multi-tabled correctly.
Look for a Table Whose Stats Match Your Own Style
Once you have a good idea of your ideal limit, you should still be choosy about which tables you sit at. For example, if you're a tight player, then avoid loose tables with high flops seen percentages, as this could easily mess with both your budget and your betting strategy.
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