Poker Lesson 21: Moving from One Limit to Another

Jiminy Cricket once spoke very eloquently on the topic of ones conscious and how it should direct ones actions. In short, he preached the idea of "Let your conscious be your guide". Now I, personally, don't know any adults who make big decisions based on what a cartoon had to say to them. In the real world we make our choices based on more practical things. When deciding to move up or down when playing a limit game, I'm not sure where your conscious stands on all this, but there are definitely some things that will help guide you through that decision.

There are certain factors that go into deciding whether to move up or down in limit. Chief among these reasons are what is in your wallet. Your bankroll will always be the first consideration for the limit you choose to play at. The second thing you should think about is your skill level. All games are not created equal. When you change the limit you play at, you change the skill level of player you are facing. Third is a more personal reason and has to do with your tolerance to risk. Fundamentally, if going up in limit makes you sweat like the rock singer "Meat Loaf", than you should consider staying where you are.

It's more difficult to know when to go up in limit than it is to know when you should take a step down. If you are dominating a table, you are in exactly the situation you should be in. Remember, poker is not football, you are not going one on one against a linebacker so that you can have the satisfaction of knowing which one of you is better. Poker is about money. If you are winning, why tamper with success? A good rule of thumb is to move up a limit if you think you are comfortable playing at that higher limit for seven sessions or more. Also, make sure you choose a higher limit that does not strike terror into your heart. Play only limits that you are not scared to play. Poker and fear are really bad bedfellows.

Going down in limit is more obvious. If you're getting your clock cleaned on a regular basis it is time to go down.

If you are beginner to the game, always start at a lower limit. You may have a bankroll that gets you invitations to Bill Gates's Christmas party, but your skill level is not quite up to playing the high limit game. Remember, the lower the limit, the easier the competition.