In limit hold’em games online, 5/10 seems to be the line that divides the low stakes games from the medium stakes games.

I was discussing my own experiences playing 5/10 with all-around big brain HDouble several weeks ago, and he referred me back to his archives from a few years back where he lamented the mindlessness of four-tabling 3/6 versus moving up to the tougher 5/10 games. Then he added, “But all the good players must have moved up by now….” The implication there is obvious. Thanks, buddy.

At this past weekend’s home game, Bill speculated that the 5/10 games were full of lower-limit players taking a shot at a bigger game, which I think implies that they’re adding more variance to the game. Still, I think there’s a noticeable difference between 3/6 and 5/10. The ratio of solid players to weak or loose players seems much higher.

In my opinion, 5/10 is still a hurdle for many reasonably good players before they launch themselves into the 15/30 and higher games. Let me state the obvious: 15/30 is three times bigger than 5/10. In contrast, the prior two changes in limit have been a fraction of the previous limit: +50% from 2/4 to 3/6, +66% from 3/6 to 5/10, versus +200%. It’s probably safe to assume that decent players lacking the bankroll will not capriciously move up to 15/30, whereas gamblers and affluent players will gladly fling chips with properly bankrolled good players.

Of course, my experience at the 15/30 tables is only a fraction of that at the 5/10 tables (I’m running well, but half-expecting to get hit by the variance train), and it’s based solely on the games at Party, so I’d be curious to hear from other limit players about their thoughts on the games.

Is 15/30 an easier game than 5/10?

Have you run up against the wall in your own game?

Will you be reading a post from me in a couple weeks about how I was playing way beyond my depth? 🙂

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In other poker news:

Grubbette showed up at a short-handed home tournament this past weekend and won when she re-raised all-in with JT vs. my K5. She paired the J on the river. Damn. I played poorly when we were down to four, missing out on some opportunities to chip up. As a result, I entered heads-up play at a severe chip disadvantage to Grubbette, who had managed to bust the 3rd through 5th place finishers. Next time, Grubbette, next time.

Absinthe is off to Vegas for the WSOP, serving as my proxy in Event #37. Send him some mojo. Oh, and I guess he’s also playing in the Main Event, too, but I have no money in that (yet). By the way, if anyone spots any $100 round-trip tickets to Vegas from LAX, let me know. I might pop in this weekend to say “howdy” and collect my money from the bracelet winner.