What is the recommended amount of money to buy in for a low limit poker game ($2-$4)?

Question

I usually start with a $100 bucks but usually get blown out early and can't always make a recovery. Am I going in with too little?

Answer 1

It's recommended you start with 20-30 times the big bet...so in this case it would be about $80-120.  I've started with as little as $50 and tripled my buy-in on rare occasions.  However, limit strategy is pretty different than no-limit.  It is much more difficult to bluff someone out of the pot, and generally requires a little more thought than NL.  

You've got to play TIGHT and watch out for loose callers who can't ditch suited connectors.  Don't be afraid to dump a low ace preflop.  If you're taking blows to your stack early, then you are playing too many hands.  Most of all, follow your gut.

Answer 2

min should be 20 times the BB, and alot of people go 40 times the BB.. so you should buy in with $80-160.

Answer 3

if it is no limit, go for $400 (100 times the BB). There is nothing worse than having the nuts and sucker but not enough chips

Answer 4

I agree with Dave.  Depending on the number of raises allowed (some places allow 3 raises, and some 4) the max amount you could potentially put into a pot would be between $48 or $60.  Imagine you have only $20 left and you flop the nuts.  Nothing hurts me more than having a monster and running out of money to put into a pot.  Whether you buy in for $60 or $2000 it really doesn't matter so long as you have enough money to max out a pot should the opportunity arise.  However, whenever I see someone buy way more than seems necessary, I usually think they are new to the game.  Depending on the image you want to portray, you can use this to advantage.

Answer 5

If this is a no limit game, buy in for the maximum.  If the maximum is more than you're comfortable gambling, play lower stakes.

If this is limit, the most you can bet on one hand is 12 big bets, i.e. you would be betting $48 if all streets are capped.  You should start every hand with at least this amount; anything above this is irrelevant.  So probably buy in for $100-200 so you don't have to constantly rebuy.

Answer 6

There are good reasons to buy in near the minimum and good reasons to buy in heavy.

I prefer to come in low, because short stack play has some small technical advantages and my style just lends itself well to that situation.  At limit, players are less intimidated by a big stack, because large or small, they can't take you out with one bet, so the psychological advantage is muted.

At a $2-$4 table, 'low' means $60-$100.

But it's true that chips are power in poker, and a big stack does hold some intimidation.   Plus, having the chips to take advantage of your good hands, while not as vital as in NL, is also a factor.  And if your personal style involves seeing a lot of flops, you'll need plenty of ammo.

For that kind of 'high end' play, you'll want $150-$200, or more.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

6 thousand....then play tight until 3 0r 4 new players arrive..   they will think you are good because you have a big stack.   but you might get rolled

Answer 8

The more the better.  20 Big blinds is minimum, 50 is better, 100 is ideal.  Remember, chips are power.

$100 in a 2/4 game basically gives you 2 or 3 hands to play to the river.  If you don't win one or both, you're in trouble.