Playing live 2-10

Hi! I have recently begun playing at live tables (most of my experience is online) and a local Casino runs a $2-$10 game (blinds are 1-2, max raise is $10). How should a modify my play to maximize my return I don't see a lot of information about this range online.

Edit: to clarify this is Holdem

The adjustment I would make is to not try pushing people out of hands. If your max raise is $10 and the pot is already $3 to start, most live players are never folding even marginal hands in that situation. My casino has $1/$3 NLHE and I'm seeing people stick around for $20-$30 raises just because they want the action. You're probably dealing with more people who wish they were playing a true NLHE variety then this semi-limited variety, so yeah, I'd say don't think you can bully people like you can at NLHE.

This Fish Chums said:

The adjustment I would make is to not try pushing people out of hands. If your max raise is $10 and the pot is already $3 to start, most live players are never folding even marginal hands in that situation. My casino has $1/$3 NLHE and I'm seeing people stick around for $20-$30 raises just because they want the action. You're probably dealing with more people who wish they were playing a true NLHE variety then this semi-limited variety, so yeah, I'd say don't think you can bully people like you can at NLHE.

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Hmm, that make sense. I guess that would mean also mostly sticking to made hands and not chasing draws because, if I understand correctly, it's going to be hard to raise enough to get value when you do hit those draws vs when you don't. Right?

sudoinit6 said:

Hmm, that make sense. I guess that would mean also mostly sticking to made hands and not chasing draws because, if I understand correctly, it's going to be hard to raise enough to get value when you do hit those draws vs when you don't. Right?

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IMO I can't really say for sure because this is some abberation of a betting style you're dealing with. But I would chase if they were betting $2-4 and fold if they were betting above that.

sudoinit6 said:

Hi! I have recently begun playing at live tables (most of my experience is online) and a local Casino runs a $2-$10 game (blinds are 1-2, max raise is $10). How should a modify my play to maximize my return I don't see a lot of information about this range online.

Edit: to clarify this is Holdem

Click to expand...

So, it sounds like this is a Spread Limit Game. It's not no-limit because the max bet is $10.

I have played this successfully while I was waiting for another game.

Basically it plays like a hybrid 1/2 game but also like a 3/6 limit game.

So, if you have AA and villain has KK it will play out like this......AA raises to $10...KK re-raises to $20 then AA re-re-raises to $30 and KK caps it at $40. Then there is a flop and each street can be capped at $40. So that is the mechanics of the betting that you should expect.

Also, this spread limit game is usually in smaller poker rooms - so a lot of the players are regulars and know how their opponents bet.

Some posts on this thread say "No chasing." but that is not completely true. Like a 3/6 limit game you can chase your hand to the river if you are getting correct pot odds. Correct pot odds should produce a profit for you over the longterm.. So to chase a flush on the flop you would need another 2 players calling the bets (approximately).

And obviously if a player has a flush and straight draw on the flop - then they will never fold to the $10 bets. Their draw is too strong to fold.

Once you make your hand you should bet as large as you can for value (without losing your opponents). Also, for more value you should consider check-raising (if they would call).

My example is that I called the $2 preflop w 22 and flopped a set. Top pair led out with a $5 bet, one caller and then I raised to $15. They both called. Turn was a 2 - giving me quads. They both checked to me and I checked my quads hoping one of them would make a bigger hand with the river. They both checked the river and I bet the max $10 and they both called with their 2 pair and the table was shocked to see my quad deuces. With 3 players in the hand the pot was approximately $80.


In retrospect my check on the turn might have been a mistake because I think they were both willing to call $10 each. But my betting style is for NLH.
It's not my favourite game but this is how I have successfully played it.

Good luck !