If you undermine the value of small stakes cash games, then I would urge you to think again. Low stakes games are not so small after all. They behold the ultimate power to help you build the biggest chip stack castles. The key to mastering the small stakes games is taking due advantage of the tiniest opportunity when most people tend to ignore it.
Here are a few strategies that will help you grab the highest rewards at these games.
It is a common known fact that you get a ray of benefit when you are at the button or the cut-off seat on the green table. You need to exploit the chance when it is folded to you at these positions. When you steal the blinds the right way, you have an ample opportunity to turn the tables to your advantage. Just hold onto your bluff, and most opponents will fold especially at the low stakes games it’s quite common.
Usually, you are either left with the final three at the table, and you get a good fighting chance. A lot of times, players even fold out of position, and you get a chance to take home the pot. Just remember not to exploit this too much. Otherwise, people can easily outsmart you with your strategy.
Another strategy that serves you well at these low stakes games is betting on the flop and then again on the turn. This is usually referred to as ‘double-barrel’ in poker slang.
Why would this work?
Mostly at these low stake games, people prefer to play it very safely. They usually invest in a limited fashion. For example, these players have a high chance of following up with your bet at the flop, but if you continue to bet at the turn, they assume you have a strong hand and prefer taking a step back. These are the players that break under pressure. You just need to keep an eye out for them, and it usually leads your way to the most comfortable wins.
This is probably the trickiest of them all yet the most powerful one indeed. Now to finely execute this move, you need to re-raise your opponent’s open raise with a bunch of hands that aren’t quite strong. Just remember always try this when you have a medium if not a good hand. If you learn to master this trick, you become a better bluffer which as you know is an essential element of poker.
Like in our previous strategies, our target here is again weak players who fold easily and break quickly under pressure. You find these mostly at low stakes games, especially in the online circuits. The best part is that these players usually avoid taking risks, and they easily back down if they don’t have a strong hand. Just keep an eye for them and bluff against the river at the right chance.
Also, keep in mind that you do not repeat this every time. Otherwise, your bluff gets called out, and you might lose badly.
The river is one such crucial pinpoint at the green table where there is a ton of value to be made. Don’t give up your fair shot at winning the pot if you are against one such bluffer who might pressure you to fold. Even if you don’t have a strong hand, still take risks, and make a bet. At this point, you have very little to lose and everything to gain. Think about it.
To conclude, it is crucial to take advantage of these small stakes cash games because usually, the pros don’t like to enter this territory, and your chances of slowly and steadily building your bankroll are tremendous.
PS: I learned these strategies by reading Nathan Williams’s popular book on micro stakes called ‘crushing the micro stakes’. It’s a good one to brush up your poker skills.