25 Sep 2024 Beginner This material is for beginner players exploit mindset Beating microstakes poker may seem easy in theory, but can be challenging in practice, and it's where every successful player starts their journey. To crush these lower limits, you need more than just a basic understanding of the game. You must adopt a disciplined approach and follow essential guidelines to avoid the traps that many beginners fall into. In this article, we’ll cover 7 crucial principles that will help you navigate the world of microstakes poker and boost your win rate. By sticking to these strategies, you'll be well on your way to building a solid foundation and moving up the stakes. 1. Play Simple and the Money Will Come Forget about fancy plays and complicated multi-street bluffs — at the microstakes, it's like using an umbrella in a hurricane. At the microstakes, no one appreciates your genius bluff, they will happily call you down with fourth pair. People here believe in their cards more than they believe in evolution. Play ABC poker and enjoy watching the chips flow to you. 2. Classify the Fish The money in poker comes from playing with fish, but not all fish are the same: Some love to see every flop but won’t continue with unless they hit Others will stubbornly take A-high to showdown Some go wild preflop but play like angels postflop Others get in quietly preflop, and turn into the Hulk postflop Your job is to become an expert ichthyologist. Learn to identify fish and give each type its own color tag. Don’t be lazy — observe your "sponsors" and classify them in time. 3. Nits: Don’t Feed the Beast! Nits at the microstakes are like dinosaurs in the modern world — rare, but dangerous. When a nit raises, it's not a bluff, it's a cry from the heart: "I finally have something!" Be happy for them and fold your hand — this will save you a lot of money and nerves. A dollar saved is a dollar earned. 4. Discipline is Your Machete in the Microstakes Jungle Learn to control your emotions. Bad beats and coolers are not a curse; they are simply poker variance, which is a natural part of the game. When luck hits you again, smashing your keyboard or complaining won't help. Smile and say, "I was ready for this!" Skill is important in poker, but in the short term, luck often prevails. If you're not prepared to face it all, it might be better to switch to checkers instead. 5. Bankroll Management: The Sacred Rule Your bankroll in poker is like your health in life—when you have it, you don’t think about it. But when it’s gone, life feels unbearable. We recommend our bankroll calculator, which helps you determine a safe bankroll size based on your win rate and the type of game you're playing." 6. Don't Complicate Your Game Don’t create tough situations for yourself. Start with preflop, which is like the foundation of a house. If it’s crooked, the whole house will lean like the Tower of Pisa. Stick to poker charts, they are your navigation tool in the world of poker. Once you’ve learned to play by the rules, you can start driving fast. 7. Position Is Your Best Friend Don’t play junky hands from early positions, even if they look appealing. With 87o from UTG, you will rarely hit something decent, and even more rarely get paid. But you’ll always pay the rake! Your main profit comes from late positions, where you can pot control, take free cards, and steal blinds without consequences. Remember: Keep the fish and aggressive regs to your right, and the nits to your left. Not the other way around!
