Trying to figure out NL Cash Games

I've been playing online now for maybe two years. I've done a little above average at my Sit n go's but have always struggled with the cash game.

Im certainly not what I'd call good at the cash game now but I have set myself a few rules to follow that have helped my game.

1. Dont sit down to play a cash game if I cant allow myself at least an
hour at the table. This allows for the ups and downs at the table and
time to figure out my opponents and some of there styles. It's also
been my experience that sitting down to a table with only a short
window of time to play is a recipe for losing all you sat down with.

2. Dont try to bluff too often at a cash game. It's not like a tourney where people
are more protective of there tourney life. People at cash tables will
make the call with there two pair even when the river now is three
suited. If they're were wrong they just deposit again and keep
playing.

3. If the table isn't working out then just leave and choose a different
table. Dont sit there and be stubborn and lose your entire buy-in.

4. Avoid the chat. People only piss you off and then you try to make it
personal to get back at them. Usually always backfires and it's you
that end up padding there bankroll.

5. Stay in my bankroll no matter how tempting moving up is.

Thanks and let me know of some of your approaches to the Cash game from a person that will take any advice on it.

Pretty standard tips for low NL online. I'm not sure how much I agree with #3 as I don't think it's a good idea to bounce around tables all the time.. anyway good table selection pretty much negates this anyway. And also your advice there slightly contradicts #1.. if you're going to set aside an hour to go through the swings at the table.. jumping around from table to table is not going to help. (too results oriented IMO)

Also, I would put bankroll management #1 with about 50,000 exclamation points.

Not a bad set of guidelines - I'm a pretty frequent low - mid level cash game player at FT as well. Some things I have found helpful and I hope you do too:

Since it seems like you're going to stick to the cards I would advocate joining a table that has a higher percentage of players seeing the flop; basically allowing yourself a better chance of luring some donk in while you're holding a monster.

Also get to know the players at the table, I usually let a few orbits go by playing pretty tightly, just watching and taking notes on the other players. Knowing your opponent is the key to taking his money. Find the sucker (often suckers at low NL) and wait for your opportunity.

I usually don't go into a hand for the sole purpose of bluffing, however if I'm late and I know the opponents well enough, then I'm not below stealing the pot w/ low connectors. Leave yourself the out is the key. Semi bluffing and probe betting is usually quite effective against low limit donks as well. However don't bluff the call stations, there are a lot of them. I've made that mistake too many times and left the table frustrated mainly at myself.


I hope that helps out and hopefully my advice doesn't end up allowing you to take money from me ; ).