In poker, the term ‘micro stakes’ refers to games that have very little money for a buy-in. For example, a No Limit Hold’em cash game with a buy-in of $0.01/$0.02. Generally speaking, any cash game with a buy-in under $25 is considered ‘micro-limits’.
Many poker players prefer to play a nickel game simply for fun. But remember: buy-ins can be small, but almost all of the world’s top players started in micro-limit leagues. It’s a great way to learn and improve your skills. But there are some pretty useful tips to get you started.
For new players, a great experience, even in $25 games, can come as a surprise. That’s why it’s best to start small online, even if you’ve been playing poker with friends for years.
Starting with $0.01/0.02 blinds is a good decision. If the quality of play is too easy for you, you can always go higher. While playing for small sums of money can seem boring, it can help you focus, as the outcome of the decisions will not matter financially. Aim: Teach yourself to stop emotions influencing decisions in the long run.
It may come as a surprise that one of the main reasons players struggle at micro-limit levels is that they don’t manage their bankroll properly. Many professionals advise having a big enough bankroll for 20-30 buy-ins for any game you play.
This means that if you play online NL10 with $0.05/0.10 blinds, your maximum buy-in would be $10. Multiply that by 30. Professionals advise you to have a bankroll of $300 to play with. Having a well-funded bankroll is important because downswings on microlimits happen to even the best players. Many players are confused by how quickly their bankroll runs out, so you need enough funds to recover without feeling under pressure.
Make sure you have an easy way to manage your money and the type of gaming that suits you
There are a number of payment systems and wallets that offer a quick and easy way to transfer money between poker sites and cash out when the time comes. So first you need to determine the right type of game to play.When you start, focus only on it.
Different games require different skills and strengths. When you try to play all types, you risk never mastering any of them. If you look at poker pros, you’ll see that most of them are experts in one type. Using micro-limits is a great way to find out which game is right for you and then master it.
In micro stakes games you will find many entry level players who do not have a clear understanding and do not know why they are making certain moves. Many will play on instinct rather than maths or logic. This is a good time to practise your own gameplay, using the correct poker strategy to win.