Ring games for poker?

Question

is it better just to play abc poker in real lower stakes such as .10 and .25 - .50 and 1? i.e. people would call down or risk their whole stack with top pair and no kicker, i can't seemed to bluff them because the stakes are so low and the fancy moves just don't work. Should I just play tourney and build my roll that way until I have enough to play at higher limits? Or just keep grinding at lower stakes and play abc poker, I have found my games skill drop significant when i play lower stakes and I play even worst now, what should I do any suggestions? thanks

Answer 1

Your skills should not deteriorate just because you play at the lower stakes.  Yeah, it is hard not to get frustrated when some idiot sucks out on you by calling your preflop raise with c**p or chasing the one-outer all the way to the river.  You should not fall into the trap of playing "their" game.  If you find yourself getting frustrated at the table get up and walk away.  If you play in this emotional state for too long you will find yourself lowering your own standards and getting deeper into a hole.

At the lower stakes never try to bluff.  These players are typically calling stations and will call you all the way to the river with a pair of 2s on a scary board.  This is a good thing however.  When you have the monster hand they will pay you off.

You can build your bankroll at the lower stakes tables if you have patience and proper bankroll management

In a nutshell you should never let your skills drop because of the table or stakes at which you are playing.  You should only make adjustments to the table (i.e. playing lose aggressive at a weak table, playing tight aggressive at a table of maniacs, etc..)

Suggested reading is David Sklansky's book "Small Stakes Hold Em" for limit hold em and Dan Harrington's book "Harrington on Cash Games."