Upswing and Short stack tables

Recently, I had around $80 in my PS account and the cash table structure changed in the big update for the different size buy ins for different tables. Stupidly, I agreed to play one of the short stack tables(20-50bb) at 25NL as my friend said that they were soft. I noticed that 5 people were sitting with $5 so I just bought in for $10, and ended up making around $22 profit and leaving the table. I repeated this on about 5 tables over the next 2 days and ended up with $200 in my account and felt confident. I know this was above my normal BRM for cash games. In the next 2 days I went down to around $170 and ended up cashing it all out as I felt I didn't wanna lose it all. My point is that even though these games were above my limits, they were quite easily beatable, and I want to know if it is ever okay to play above your limits knowing that the tables are packed full of fish? I'm currently trying to rebuild a BR, and wonder when the correct time to try again at this would be.

If your trying to build a BR cashing out at only $170 seems hasty.

If you continue to cash out and play above your head its only a matter of time before you lose and need a deposit to start over.

I believe in taking shots at times too, but thats assuming I have been practicing proper BRM. Doesnt sound like you are.

Your best play here is follow strict BRM. And dont play over your head. If you can find a weak table at a higher limit you can find two at the limit you SHOULD be playing.


Just my .2¢ Good Luck.

Don't mistake a brief hot streak for having the game figured out.

Yeah, taking shots is fine when you're nicely over-rolled for the limit you're playing, but not yet rolled for the next IF you really think you can beat that table. That being said, you would probably do better to pay your dues at your proper level and learn what there is to be learned about this complex and nuanced game there.

If you do decide to take a shot, you MUST stop your shot before you dip down too close to your bankroll minimum for the limit you are playing, otherwise you risk that limit winding up below your bankroll, and for taking too much of a shot at a clumsy step forward, you will have take 2 steps backward, or more likely, will persist at the level you just underrolled yourself for and increase your risk of ruin.

Remember, the various buy-in recommendations are based on solid winning players whose risk of ruin is rooted nearly entirely in variance. Even the 20 buy in rule that Ferguson made famous was a rule he set for himself to negate risk of ruin. Unless you think you're as good as Ferguson (you're not, but it's okay, me neither ) you should have more.

I know what you guys meant, i was using strict BRM until this.