Small Stakes Cash Pre Flop Play

The small stakes are where poker starts to get more serious and the play becomes more advanced. While there are more regular grinders at the small stakes than there are at the micro stakes, they are generally not too difficult to beat. Most players who are able to crush the small stakes will move right on to higher limits, so the players who remain at the small stakes are going to be solid, but not incredible.

Most solid small stakes players will be playing multiple tables at a time, and this alone will allow you to exploit them. Players who multi table, especially those who play 8 or more at a time, will play in a robotic style that is easy to pick up on. Once you have a general idea about how a small stakes multi tabler is playing you will have them pretty well figured out. Multi tables do not stray from a set style of play.

The fact that they are on a bunch of tables disallows them the opportunity to individually assess each person they play. If you are willing to play 6 or less tables at a time you will be able to take advantage of both the fish and the regular grinders. The fish are the easy money at the tables, but sometimes the games will be running with only a variety of regulars. If you can’t find a table with fish you will have no choice but to sit down with some of the more solid players. Your profits might be less than if you were playing with fish, but there is still certainly money to be made.

Adjusting to the Games – Small Stakes Poker

If you were able to beat the micro stakes games there is a good chance that you will do well at the small stakes. The jump in money might be significant, but for the most part the play is relatively similar. 1/2 games are not incredibly difficult to beat, but they will require substantial experience.

Some small stakes players will regularly incorporate more advanced tools into their game. For example, you would rarely if ever see a light 3 bet at the micro stakes, but this is a common occurrence in small stakes poker.

Players at the small stakes will really battle for the blinds, at the micro stakes players won’t put forth too much effort when trying to take down a small pot. The small stakes players understand that winning multiple small pots is a more effective strategy than trying to take down the occasional monster pot. This is really the basis for all small stakes pre flop play, small ball poker. Small ball poker simply means that your aim is to consistently win small amounts instead of going for huge pots.

If you stick to this strategy you will experience both steady profits and your variance will be reduced. There is money to be made at the small stakes if you are willing to take a little bit at a time. Stay out of the way of the real tough players and you will be able to pocket some pretty solid money.

SUMMARY:Small Stakes Cash Pre Flop Play Strategy

The small stakes are not the easiest games to beat, but they are not incredibly difficult either. Pre flop play at the small stakes is cutthroat, but there are ways to separate yourself from the opposition. The best pre flop strategy doesn’t mean going after huge pots. For more about small stakes strategy see our small stakes poker post flop article. Related articles – Small Stakes Poker – VP$IP – 3 Betting Strategy