When to move up

As a new user of the forum I'm really impressed by the quality of advice and assistance on here - just what I needed to help improve my game.

Over the past 2 months or so I've increased my online play (having previously read a lot of books, magazines etc so as to get a proper grounding) restricting myself to $2 SNG's and 2NL micro stakes cash. Overall I've increased my bankroll by over $50 (50%) and am running at 60% ROI% and ITM% on the tourneys.

My query is when would other players start to move up in stakes? I'm not suggesting that I'm ready yet (though maybe I am?) but just seeking general advice from all those out there who are further down their poker lifecycle than I am.

Thanks in advance!

Recommendations range from having 20-100 buyins to be able to move up in stakes. Choose whatever seems safe to you. If you have experienced really high variance up until now I'd aim for the upper end of that range. If, however, you tend to make steady increase with you BR without much fluctuation, it might be safe to move up with an amount in buyins towards the lower end. Either way, just be careful, and be ready to drop back down in stakes if you need to.

Also, ROI and ITM are two different things. Your ROI is 50% since you increased your BR by 50%.

schnozzinkobenstein said:

Also, ROI and ITM are two different things. Your ROI is 50% since you increased your BR by 50%.

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ROI does not equate to BR gained. If the OP made $50 but played 200 $2 SnGs to do it, his ROI is 12.5% (Profit/Total investment) despite the fact that his BR has increased by 50% from $100 to $150.

To the OP with $150 BR I'd say you can semi safely play $5nl and SnGs up to say $4.

alot players say you move up when your running hot and have made alot of money at the current stakes your playing at and should give it a shot at the higher stakes. But i say no matter how hot or un-hot your running you are always allowed to a higher stake when you can afford atleast 1000 BB or greater at the cash games or can afford to buying for 30 tournaments or more. stick with it and you won't be broke.

My recommendation to you is that if you've been playing full stacked and doing well, try playing the deep 2NL tables, buying in for $4. This allows you to take advantage of bad oppoenents mistakes that much more, and skyrocket your earnings to BB/100h (I notice you're new to the forum, so incase it is unlcearl this is Big Bets, or 2x the big blind, per 100 hands sometimes also called ptbb/100h for 'pokertrackerbb/100h) numbers that will have you horribly disillusioned when you step up a few levels and have to look at lower single digits.

I am a big advocate for deep stacked micro tables. The play is so terrible you can just rape people. And then I recommend doing the same to 5NL, start out moving up with $5 buy ins if you wan to get comfortable, but I just played 2NL for 4 till I had the 200 for a decent roll to step up to 5nl with $10 stacks. The previous advice was very sound about the range of recommended buy ins, and how you should adjust based upon your own variance experience.

Sorry I can't be of help on the SNG's and tourneys, other than to say, in my opinion, cut them loose unless you especially enjoy them. Cash is the far more practically profitable if that is your primary motivator.

Thanks to all of you guys for these replies. Some sound advice, most of which tallied with my own thinking.

The point about playing in deep stacked micro tables was one that I hadn't considered but I can see that as being of benefit.

Tips from others gratefully accepted and hopefully I'll see you at the tables!

believe it is always good to you continue reading, books, and articles about poker, and as its success in micro tables, you can increase your level. and believe you can be prepared but to a great battle, just approach it with seriousness and confidence! gl!

i would move up now and see what happens, if you keep winning then its a good move, and if you have to move back you will know

The thing is, you cant really know for sure if its time to move up or not. If you have a comfortable win rate at the 2nl and 2$ SnG, and you have the bankroll for it, then there is nothing stopping you.
Only way to find out for sure is to try. (Using proper BRM and common sence of course.)

I think at those limits, the time to move up is when you can afford to play a higher table and it wouldn't phase you if you dropped a buy-in.

When you're worried about losing money you'll either lose it easier or you'll miss profitable opportunities

to answer your question....use bankroll mamagment. do not buy in to game that is going to be more then 5% of your bankroll. other player may have different % but it up to you when you feel you have a enough to go to the next level