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Game Selection Advice Needed - $50nl FR v. $50nl HU?

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  1. 13Jayhawk13 13Jayhawk13 is offline

    Olathe, KS
    United States

    Posts: 761
    Joined: Feb 08

    Apr 1st, 2011 (4/1/2011 3:41pm)

    Admittedly, I haven't likely played enough hands at any of these levels to really know my true winrate, but I still need to make a decision based on this limited information to decide where I want to spend my next 10k hands or so. I just moved up from $25nl FR, so here's the breakdown:
    • $25nl FR - 4.76 PT BB/100 (5,000 hands)
    • $50nl FR - 1.53 PT BB/100 (5,000 hands)
    • $50nl HU - 4.33 PT BB/100 (12,000 hands)
    I think I've run a little under EV in $50nl FR and a bit more above at $25nl, but I may be completely incorrect about good numbers for these stats.

    Here are my considerations for my decision, please let me know if there are other things I should be considering.
    • Variance: FR seems to be lower variance and I'm naturally risk averse, so I tend to emotionally prefer FR to HU. With that said, I practice good BRM, so I'm not too bothered by it.
    • MultiTabling: I'm not a huge grinder, so with FR, I play 3-4 tables. However, when I play HU, I find it hard to play more than two given the fact that I have to actively avoid the regs.
    • Skill Level: Admittedly, I would be a losing player against the regs (at least I think so). So when I play HU, I really have to be mindful of my opponents to assess their skill level before giving them too much action. With FR, I don't worry so much about table selection, because there are generally always a couple of bad players who are pretty easy to identify and isolate.
    • Tourney Play: Although, HU is great for getting a better understanding of preflop odds in HU pots etc, its not necessarily good for my MTT game. I find that after playing HU for some time, I will pretty much be terrible at MTTs. I try to play mostly cash, but I usually take one or two nights a week to play tourneys only, so I'd like to keep my MTT game up to snuff.
    • Skill Development: This is only my opinion and it could just be that I was lacking some of these concepts which is why I feel this way, but I think I've learned sooooo much more about poker since starting to play HU. So basically, I think that HU will make me a better player more quickly than playing FR <-- please debunk this theory.
    • Rakeback on FTP: Here's one I just don't know about. If I play for 1 hour at FR (4 tabling) and 1 hour at HU (2 tabling), I'll play nearly the same number of hands (I think). It seems my rakeback is higher at FR, but that may be that I tend to play more often at FR, because of the game selection issues mentioned above.
    I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on what games I should be playing. Thanks.
  2. wackyJaxon wackyJaxon is offline Admin X

    Vilnius
    Lithuania

    Posts: 12,260
    Joined: Apr 06

    Apr 1st, 2011 (4/1/2011 4:11pm) in reply to 13Jayhawk13

    As mentioned, you haven't played enough hands to really determine a true win rate, but for argument sake, lets say that was over a larger sample size. It looks like 50NL HU is better for you than 50NL full ring, unless you can play 3X the amount of tables in FR than HU.
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  3. Mozambee Mozambee is offline

    Posts: 143
    Joined: Jan 06

    Apr 1st, 2011 (4/1/2011 4:28pm) in reply to wackyJaxon

    I mass table 100nl fr on full tilt. With that said, if you are risk averse and that is your primary concern, full ring would be the best option as it would allow you to play the maximum amount of tables possible.

    Even if your rakeback might be better in the short-term in the specific situation you provided, your potential to increase more tables at full ring will be much higher than compared to hu tables. Also, from what I've read, the rake at 50nl / 100nl hu is much more of a detriment compared to higher buyins.

    The only reason I'd advocate heads up play is that it will definitely put you on a faster albeit more difficult track on improving your game. So if you aspire to be playing 3/6 nl some day, starting at heads up may not be a bad idea. But if you're content with your winnings and beating small stakes with no risk, the easy choice is full ring.

    I also went to mizzou so you should be especially appreciative of my response ;)
  4. 13Jayhawk13 13Jayhawk13 is offline

    Olathe, KS
    United States

    Posts: 761
    Joined: Feb 08

    Apr 1st, 2011 (4/1/2011 4:42pm) in reply to Mozambee

    ty for the response. I was kind of leaning toward FR vs. HU, but I've just won so much more money playing HU, so I wasn't sure. As I mentioned, I'm really not that great at HU, but if I avoid the regs, I'm usually very +EV over my opponents. I just haven't learned the proper 3betting ranges and 3bet calling/4betting ranges, so there have been times where I'll play someone that is better than me and I'm pretty much clueless as to how to exploit them. Its a pretty frustrating feeling, but I still get some enjoyment out of playing against stronger opponents and trying to figure out what they are doing.

    I don't expect to become a 3/6 reg ever, but if I can get up to 1/2 that would be great, so that I can go to the casino and play live. As stated, I'm pretty risk averse and I find it very difficult to play above my roll (I've never taken a MTT shot above $55 and never played above $50nl, except the few times I've played at casinos).

    I may try playing FR 4 nights a week and HU 2 nights to see how that goes. I won't hold it against you that you went to Mizzou :)
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