6-max limit hold 'em: Changes in strategy

PShabi · #1 05-25-05, 02:47 PM

Anyone who has 6-max Limit experience:

What are the main differences in strategy? I'm assuming you're not going to get the same odds on some draws. Also, you're probably not going to want to open-limp (but I don't really do that anyway). Starting hand requirements have to drop to, especially late. Blind steals are more useful and happen with more regularity.

What else? Any of my "overly-generic" statements completely false?

Also, what are the pros and cons of playing 6-max.

I've been thinking for a while about switching to 6-max. I think my aggressive style would be better suited for these tables. The only thing that concerns me is that Party has no 3/6 6-max tables. I am not up for 5/10 yet and I don't want to move down or leave party. I've got some time to think about this decision and would love to get some conversation started on the topic.

Thanks.

GeoffM · #2 05-25-05, 02:54 PM

While I can't state for certain, I do think that the hand requirements are about 1.5 times as good, so think maybe about 5 more hands than the standard 10 you would normally play. This is how I translate it in O8.

Also, more hands per hour.

As well, if you are a good post-flop player, it will definately be to your advantage to make the jump to these tables.

junYUN · #3 05-25-05, 02:59 PM

really the only thing i change in my game is what hands i come into the pot with... and that doesn't even change all that much.

Kurn · #4 05-25-05, 03:03 PM

Starting hand requirements outside the blinds should be no different than MP2 -> Button at a full table. Blinds need to be defended more aggressively. Medium and small pairs as well as unsuited high cards go up in value, suited and connecting cards go down in value.

Be prepared for higher variance.

Talking Poker · #5 05-25-05, 03:08 PM

I love 6 max.... absolutely love it.

You're logic is correct, but I want to add something about the blind steals. People are much more protective of their blinds, so the steals work less often. I won't try to steal with any 2 cards from the button. I still fold junk and barely loosen up my starting requirements for a steal attempt. Why? Because I'll bet 90%+ of the time, I get at least one caller. Maybe even more of then than that....

With the blinds coming around so much faster, you need to play more hands, of course. Thinking in terms of good Black Jack hands (20 and higher) is a good starting point.

I almost always open for a raise. It's rare for me to limp in, but if I'm at a very loose passive table, I'll occasionally limp in with a hand like 78s from EP. This is usualy an easy fold, but on a LP table, it can be profitable.

As you know, aggression only works so well in limit, but I find it's more effective in short seated games... so turn it up a notch.

My advice to you: Try out the 2/4 6 max tables. I know you don't want to "move down," but you're going to get in a lot mroe hands per hour and the variance for 6 max is a lot higher than full rings games as well, so you're going to want a bigger bankroll anyway. Play a couple thousand hands and see how you're feeling.

I'm no expert, but I am a winning 6 max player. I'd be happy to go over some specific HHs for you if you post them.

Aequitas58 · #6 05-25-05, 03:56 PM

BE AGGRESSIVE.

nutbag · #7 05-26-05, 12:20 AM

I play a few tables of Party 1/2 most of the time, and straight up poker is the way to make money there. Obviously you want to loosen up more, but you really don't want to bluff too much outside of being heads up just because there's less players and lower quality hands playing. Semibluff a bunch definately, but there's just too many calling stations at this level that you have to be very selectively AGGRESSIVE. Blind steals have almost no value at 1/2, as the people who play there are usually action junkies and will usually want to at least see a flop. If they catch a pair of threes, they'll call down your unpaired AK the whole way, but they'll usually call it down when you catch the K too. Lastly, the check/call on the river instead of betting with TPTK and so on that was in an earlier thread here saves/makes you a whole bunch of bets here.

Party not having 2/4, 3/6, 6max and is really annoying though. It's obviosly tough to move up to 5/10 from 1/2. The 5/10 there is just full of aggresion, and while there's still a whole bunch of idiots, there's decent amount of people who have a good idea what they're doing and easily make money. Having your rb deal at party, you'll probably want to stay there, but maybe look up another deal at another site if you like 6-max and want to get serious. I've made a stab 5/10 a few times, but lost enough to go back down before I really got used to it.

I'd like to have a 6-max section, but think it would probably die like the non-holdem section is doing. Well good luck, and post a decent amount of what your running into, i've posted some six-max stuff and it hasn't generated much discussion.

TP, what site do you usually play at? I don't see you on party, and have no idea what the six-max action is like at other sites.

PShabi · #8 05-26-05, 10:48 AM

Just fired up a 2/4 6 max table at Poker Stars?

Does every player buy in with 10BBs or am I at a terrible table?

A5s UTG
What to do? Standard play? I raised.

PShabi · #9 05-26-05, 10:58 AM

Holy shit!!!!!!!!

If all 6-max games are this soft I'm in heaven. If not, well, I wish this wasn't the first table of 6-max I sat at, because it's comical.

PShabi · #10 05-26-05, 11:09 AM

too good to be true.

Up 25BB in 25 minutes. Seriously, wow.

GeoffM · #11 05-26-05, 11:16 AM

Big swings dude.

I remember once winning 100BB in about an hour and a half. I also remember dumping 25BB in 30 minutes.

PShabi · #12 05-26-05, 11:18 AM

Yeah, I'm too experienced to let this shit juice me up. I do like the feel of the 6 max game though. Seems like my decisions are easier, but maybe that's just the texture of the hands.

PShabi · #13 05-26-05, 11:24 AM

K10 off suit UTG?

I mucked. Wanted to raise but I'm maniacal. Good play? I'm struggling PF a little.

PShabi · #14 05-26-05, 11:31 AM

A search of 2+2 found this if anyone is interested.

Talking Poker · #15 05-26-05, 01:37 PM

You've mentioned two borderline hands... but here's how I play:

I usually fold A5s UTG and I usually raise with KTo UTG. That's exactly opposite of what you did

PShabi · #16 05-26-05, 01:43 PM

I think I've found a new game. Seriously, I know it's stupid as shit to look at short term succcess, but I feel sooooooo comfortable in these games. I won 50 BB singletabling over an hour and 15 minutes.

I may try 3 tabling 2/4 6-max for a while. The only obstacle I see here is the fact that the Stars tables are all the "turbo" tables or whatever. That means you only get 7 seconds to act and that could be a problem when multitabling.

Maybe I should go with 4 tables of 1/2 at Party for rakeback purposes. Or I could be a total idiot and just jump to 5/10. Very tempting.

Talking Poker · #17 05-26-05, 01:43 PM

At a glance, this is a bit looser than I play, but just as aggressive.

For someone just starting out, I think it's easier to play fewer hands, and then slowly incorporate more into your game.

Talking Poker · #18 05-26-05, 01:45 PM

4 tables is hard (for me) to play at once 6 short seated. I can do 3, and 2 is a piece of cake (I usualy do 2 tables and something else). You're going to be running up quite a bit of rake now. Remember, you're getting more hands in AND your rake is now the table rake divided by 6, not 10.

We really need to get you signed up under me