Month: June 2024

Poker is a straightforward game when broken down, especially at the micro stakes where some of the worst players can be found. However, many people struggle to beat even the lowest limits online, such as NL2, NL5, and NL10. By the time you graduate from these limits, you should be able to build up a $1k bankroll. This milestone allows you to comfortably move up to higher stakes and start making real money.

Many people fail to reach this level due to a few fundamental mistakes. They end up sabotaging their own results. In this article, I will discuss 3 common mistakes at the micro stakes and how to fix them. Let’s get started!

Too Aggressive

Years ago, most players that play in indonesian poker online site usergacor were too passive. Now, I regularly see players at the lower limits being excessively aggressive. For example, having a 3Bet% of 10 or more, and a CBet% of 60% or 70% on all postflop streets.

They have taken the advice to "be aggressive" in poker too far. While this aggressive play can improve your non-showdown winnings, it is not the key to success at these stakes. Many players at this level do not like to fold, so your betting and raising range still needs to be value-oriented most of the time. If you try to win every pot at these stakes, you are likely hurting your results. Patience and knowing when to give up are crucial lessons to learn at the micros.

Tilt Too Easily

Tilt is another major issue that hurts many micro limit poker players. They allow routine variance to affect them more than it should, resulting in poor play. This can lead to playing too many hands, making wild bluffs, and bad call downs when the cards are not in their favor.

High stakes players often differ from low stakes players in their ability to control emotions during the game. Bad beats and coolers will happen, sometimes in a series lasting weeks or months. If tilt is a problem for you, it’s essential to develop strategies to manage your emotions better and set clear rules for when to quit if you are running poorly.

Playing Too Robotic

Poker is a game played between people, and no two tables are the same. A different strategy is required depending on who is seated there. Relying on a chart or a cookie-cutter strategy for what hands to play and when to bet or raise can only take you so far.

You need to create custom ranges in all situations, including preflop opening ranges. Check what types of players are left to act before choosing which hands to raise with. Different strategies are required for good regs, bad regs, or recreational players. Many people do not do this and end up losing money unnecessarily.

It's fine to follow a set plan, charts, etc., especially when starting out in poker. It makes things easier. But to take your game to the next level, you need to adjust based on who is actually at the table.

Final Thoughts

Moving up the micro stakes ladder and beyond is challenging but not impossible. Many people are their own worst enemies, making fundamental mistakes that prevent them from achieving the success within their grasp.