Is it worth it to play heads up LIMIT with someone who you are not MUCH better than?

[BlibbityBlabbity]

I was playing short handed .05/.10 limit for about 30 minutes or so and I was a little below what I started with (by like .40) and the table broke up but for one other player. I would say we were evenly matched so I played till I got even and left.

Taking the fact that it was .05/.10 out of the picture, is it worth playing heads up llimit with an evenly matched player? The only way I would say it would be is if you set an amount you will quit if you get to and then get out. You can assume swings up and down, so pick what you think is a reasonable high peak and when you hit it get out before you head back down into a valley. Sure you MIGHT hit a really huge run and get up $2-3 in that .05/.10 game but most likely winning $1- $1.50 is the high peak (assuming you are evenly matched, if they are a worse player I would say play till all they have is yours)

I also took into consideration that at any point they can leave so if they are thinking the same thing they might hit their big hand and then take your money and run, not letting you win it back. Bastards.......wait thats what I just suggested......hmmmmm

Thought?

[Kidd7138]

I wouldn't make a habit it of it if you're looking to make a profit, since in the long term you'll probably come out fairly even. It is probably good though as a way to try to improve your game, playing with weaker competition usually doesn't help at all, and you can sometimes find yourself playing over your head against better competition. You can probably make it somewhat profitable setting the limit for which you'll leave the game if you get up/down enough.

[eddo31]

i dont think that it is worth it at all. if the two players are even, then it comes down to two factors, luck and the rake. luck may swing either way, but playing solid poker should be about minimizing luck and maximizing profitable situations. and the rake is always there, so you know that in the long run you will both end up broke, and the house will have all of your money.

if you think you have an advantage over the other player, then play all night long, but if you are evenly matched, it doesnt make any sense from an EV standpoint.

[Windbreaker]

It's a losing cause. If you believe two players are of equal abililty than the only winner is the house. The rake will evenutally eat up both your stacks on the table. When two players have a similar playing style and are pf similar ability then the main difference is the cards.

[2Tone]

I'm having trouble taking the 5/10 cent part out of picture.

One of the recurring themes in reading/writing about poker is understanding motivation. If you are playing .5/.10 limit heads up, it can't be just for the money. Youl could likely work a minimum wage job and earn more an hour.

So it must be something else - the fun of the competition, to improve, an unmonitored broadband connection at the office, etc.

Is it worth it just for the money? No, of course not. But you might have other reasons.

[Talking Poker]

Exactly!

To me, it would be worth it. I enjoy playing, and I learn and improve by playing. I would happily sit down at a table full of players BETTER than me, for these two reasons alone.