Short handed limit Hold'em at Noble

[Kanufi]

I have been playing at Noble and the site has been good to me so far. I played well in a few free tourneys and have a nice bankroll to start, now.
The level I feel most comfortable at right now is 25/50c limit. At Noble they only offer 6 player tables at this level. I played at them only once. I played more loose than I usually do and it worked well. But how do you really play short handed low limit?
I read here somewhere that in a MTT limit when getting short handed, play anything that equals 18 or more points, counting as in blackjack. Does this count for ring games as well?
In the same time the games seem very loose, lots of calling stations. Any advice on that, other than the normal play opposite as table image? And if that and the 18 rule is true than how to combine the two?

 

[robwhufc]

I only ever play 6 person tables, as you get a lot more action (SB and BB comes round quicker). You can generally play lower starting hands because there are less chance of people having better ones (and decrease still further if you have sitouts). If however you can carry over the discipline gained from playing in 10 player tables, this should stand you in good stead.

You're right about the calling stations - things aren't really different at $1/2 level. It's nigh on impossible to drive someone off the pot. This means that a hand like 88 has reduced value - you can bet and bet and bet, but you wont get rid of people holding picture cards, and one will flop on the river. There's also no point bluffing. People will push a pair to the end, regardless of what flops (i.e they'll take no notice if you raise when an ace flops).

My idiots guide will be simply to play high starting cards, bet continously if you flop top pair (don't worry about kicker, opponents will call you to the wire with 2nd or 3rd pair). If you don't flop top pair, fold. It's not poker for the purists, but there's no scope for flair and imagination at those levels.

 

[IrishDave]

As usual, Rob has posted about the same advice I would have. I spend most of my ring game play at Noble on the .50/1.00 tables and Rob's strategy is what I use as well. I seriously suggest you watch the table for a bit before you join as you can read the players a bit and know what you're getting into. I'm also quick to exit a table that has gone wild or with a real bad run of cards. Many times at these ring games someone will sit down and raise at every opportunity - I've seen it again and again. These folks can be a nice source of cash as long as they're not catching cards every hand. It's amazing how many times I've seen people sit down with $10 or $15 and are all-in before you know it. Patience and subtlety are the key to limit play - it can be tedious but profitable if you work at it.

PS: I never play NL ring games and only rarely play PL ring games - to many crazies willing to throw away their money chasing cards and they catch the miracle to often for me...

 

[ehollywood]

Noble poker has so many calling stations. The best thing to do is just wait until you have a great hand and bet/raise like crazy. I love playing the 6 person no limit games with these people cause they let you double up on them so easily. They will call hoping for running cards and catch on occasion, but as long as you play within your limits you'll win in the long run.