How deep should I play?

I'm an idiot. For the last year, I thought I was playing 5nl. This is because Stars lets you buy in for 250 bb on their .01/.02 tables. So I've been playing deepstacked 2nl I guess. They also let you do this for .02/.05.

My question is should I buy in deep as I have been (I'm rolled for it) or should I buy in for 100bb only since that is the standard buy in at higher levels? I understand that stack sizes make a big difference in NL and I want to do what will help me improve the most for higher stakes, not necessarily what will win the most cheeseburgers in the micros short term.

Also, would buying in for 100bb count as shortstacking at these levels? I don't want to do that. I don't believe in it and WVHillbilly would probably hunt me down with torches and pitchforks.

100bb is never short stacking but my suggestion is that you try 100bb out and see how it feels but in the end, stick to the size/level that you feel most comfortable with. Nobody can really tell you what you should do, only you know the answer.

i'd say try the 5nl 100bb tables, and see how you fare there. it will probably feel significantly different than 250bb 2nl tables, but it might be in a good way i say definitely only do this in order to compare the feeling, not because it is better or worse, make up your own mind about it.

playing that deep has some implications that are not necessarily good for 2 and 5nl, i think, but if it has brought you success so far, why change it?

100bb's gives you the ability to raise preflop, and bet/bet/bet all the money in. 250bb's, there has to be a raise somewhere in the hand in order to get all the money in. If you're not used to playing deep it will probably just increase your variance (since cooler situations are likely the only time you're getting it in against fish this deep).

However, if you're used to playing with a lot of money behind, and are a good postflop hand reader, it would make sense to play with 250 behind.

I played some actual 5nl at 100 bb and I was shocked at how easily all of the money was getting in. Since I was running like garbage last night, the short term result was unhappy but I can see how this could be good in some situations.

The funny thing is, all of this time I was wondering why everyone kept talking about "bet, bet, shove" scenarios and I couldn't do that without some serious raising (either 3 bet or post flop). The moral of the story is, sometimes I am such a moran. .

Theres no real use in actually going 250bb deep at 5nl - I don't even know why they included these limits with these. The majoirty of people will buy in for around 60-80bbs I've noticed and of course you get the short stacks.

Like you say everyone is quite willing to get the money in or most of their stacks pre/post flop. I assume you're playing 6 max.

Maybe buy in for less, because of the low limits. All depends on what you are most comfortable playing at.

Bigger stack = more power/authority at the table. And bigger wins.
Like you, I also play the micros at Stars and went through the same deliberations regarding how deep to buy in. I started buying in for 100bb, but then I figured, why win only 100bb with my premium hands if I can instead win 150-250bb with same hands against deep opponents if I buy in for max?
So I started buying in for max and I never regretted it. Yes it increases variance, but it also increases the payoff of your big hands. Of course if you tilt or lack fundamental postflop skills and/or ability to lay down your AA or KK when action tells you you clearly should, it will also cost you that much more.
So in the end,

engman said:

All depends on what you are most comfortable playing at.

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...and your awareness of the implications of playing deep stacked.

Well, I have been playing deep for a long time now. I thought thats what I had to do because I thought I was playing 5nl when actually I was just playing deepstacked 2nl. So, I'm used to the deeper stacks. Also, bankroll isn't an issue for 2 or 5 nl for me deep or 100bb. I've got that BRM thing down.

The main thing that I am concerned about is, at the relatively higher levels (10nl and up, my goal for now is 100nl) I think the most that you can buy in for is 100bb (if I'm wrong here let me know) so I want to be really comfortable with the standard betsizing and situations that arise from that stack size.
So, for now I'm going to play at least some of my sessions at 100bb buy in for the experience.

Thanks for all of the replies and if I'm overlooking something that someone has said that would change this smack me up side the head and let me know.

Thanks.

megl said:

Bigger stack = more power/authority at the table. And bigger wins.

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Last time I checked, the best 5-card poker hand won...