I have been a consistent winner at $1/$2 for 5+ years and decided to move up a level now that my bankroll can support it. I have played $2/$5 2x over the past month at a local casino and I can tell I am not playing optimally. Specifically, I am playing more passive than usual and have lost a bit of confidence. I know it should take some time to adjust to higher limits and better players, but would appreciate any advice from players that have experienced similar situations moving up.

Just focus on making good decisions. Don't be results oriented, play solid and if you get broke reload and go again. Book a few wins and if you belong at 2/5 you will know and your confidence will come back.

Try to surround yourself with players who are better than you and if your lucky learn as much as you can from them. GL.

Always important, im at a similar stage. to prepare ive been buying in more and been betting bigger at my local 2/2 (50-150bb). Raising a little extra pre and betting closer to pot has helped me get used to the bigger pots and tougher spots that come with 2/5

I suggest using to search function to see the many other threads on the same subject.

As for advice, here's a COTW I wrote several years ago. http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/78...g-down-729719/

It has been 4 years, but all I'd add is that at higher levels, you'll see far fewer super weak players. There will be fewer open limps and more raises pf. At 2/5, you'll start to run into people who are trying to make a living at poker. None of that means they are good. But they aren't stupid terrible.

2/5 is still low stakes and full of fish. basically try to play a shark-style game. tight but when aggressive when in, mostly in position. raise in HJ/CO/BU if there are only 1 or 2 limpers with all offsuit broadways, 97s+98s+ and even J9o+109o+ and just keep cbetting and barreling on boards that hit your perceived range

other trhan that open with super premiums, and call raises woth pairs and suited broadways in position

so that means with non premiums and non pairs: FOLD EVERY HAND OUT OF POSITION
yes it may be boring but it is profitabe and will give you a tight image when in positon. theres been sessions where ive played maybe 3 hands OOP which is great to allow me to open j9o on the button and then barrel peopleoff hands

also semi bluff with big draws ALL DAY LONG andget these draws all in on the flop if you can

-you have more FE at 2/5 with these draws
-you will get a loose rep which will get you payed when ou have a set
-you have equity with big draws

i crush 2/5 as it feels small now that i play 5/10 whenever i get a chance, just try to play like a shark, agressive yet patient ans see what happens

also a good 3betting range is QQ+AK, 3bet AQ/JJ if the raiser is loose and or as a squeeze, but calling with these hands is fine is its a tight opener. AQ is easier to 3bet as it has more blockers and is an easy fold to a 4bet at this level

once you get good you can start 3betting a polarized range (hands like 75s, A6s, 107o) when you pick up on betting tells, but for now 3bet super premiums. even i 3bet hands like 99-TT only 5% of the time because i would prefer to play these hands postflop and would rather 3bet 75s as a bluff than a hand like TT

sorry it allows 50-150bb, I buy in for 150 obv
a lot of the 1/2 home games play somewhere in between 1/2 and 2/5 so find some of these

2/5 for a new comer is going to require some table selection. I sat at one last weekend and instantly could tell I was at a tough table. The blinds would often chop and everyone was playing solid. Fine a game with bad players/ gamblers.