Shortstack cash play, low limits online.

looserock

We all know why you should play with max buy-in, if you have an edge etc etc, that is not the question here.

I find that I do well at .25/.50 or .50/1 playing x40 to 50 BBs, but why?

It could be because im crap at poker and when I get stacked I dont loose that much, but the way I see it, the players at these levels are willing to make huge mistakes when they see there against a short stack.

The other advantage is I suppose, it's very hard to get out played when half you're stack is in the pot on the flop.

Anyway the question I'm asking, is playing shortstacked a good idea or is it just for donkeys, like me.

RoundTower

it's a good idea for some people, including some winners, possibly including you.

internet poker forums have created a mystique that everyone should play full stacked. That people who play short stacked are pussies or losers at poker. This is good for the people giving advice, who like to have more money on the table whether they are winners or losers. But it is not necessarily correct advice.

BuChan

i think that playing with 100bb is too little! i find the deeper the stacks the more enjoyable the game. i guess it's a somewhat personal thing. if you you enjoy and are successful with short buyins then you could stick with it but you can't make as much money and you'll miss out on some aspects of the game.

dvdfan

As long as you have a strategy im sure its profitable, ive been dabling with playing shortstacked at $1/$2 on FT with some spare money i have lying there and it seems to be profitable but very boring. If your not sticking to a strategy and trying to outplay people on the flop and that kind of thing i dont think it can be profitable long term but if you stick to some sort of tight strategy like push AA-TT and AK from MP on and Push over any late position raise with AT-AK,KQ,KJ,QJ And 88+ and limp RR from early position with AK-AQ TT+ with any MP+ raise, limp/fold any PP from MP on, maybe Early position if the tables passive.

Thats very similar to how i play but i find it gets so boring its hard to stick to that and you find yourself getting looser. Im on about buyin in with 20BB and leaving when you hit 40BB or Higher. On full Tilt anyway i find i make most from steals because i might be sitting there for 20 mins or longer before i hit a hand and anyone paying attention will know ive something, youll sometimes get calls from big stacks with A9+ or medium PP but overall youll often pick up a nice pot without having to showdown when you have 2 limpers and a raiser and a call, its surprising the amount of times theyll all fold.

Heres a guide on shortstacking:

http://www.donkeydevastation.com/?p=12

looserock

you'll miss out on some aspects of the game

I agree, and I do prefer to play as deep as possible, but as I have no bankroll right now and I really dont want to play lower than .25/.50 its my best option I think.

i might be sitting there for 20 mins or longer before i hit a hand and anyone paying attention will know ive something, youll sometimes get calls from big stacks with A9+ or medium PP

I find it doesn't matter how long your sitting there, there is always someone willing to play you with junk hands, but post flop is where they make the worst mistakes, like holding onto AK to the river just because they feel like they can affort to call you down without loosing too much.

opr

This is some good stuff from Ed Miller on short stacking.

http://www.notedpokerauthority.com/category/short-stack-strategy/

Opr