I have no idea if this is the appropriate place for this post, and couldn't find much on the subject doing a search. Maybe the Limit-->NL forum would be better, but this is a NL-->Limit question.

I have a decent win rate in my Los Angeles NL games ($5/$5, $500 or $1000 cap depending on which casino I play at.) I do not play full time professionally, but I when my work is slow, I log substantial hours. I cut my teeth in some crazy limit games in the Bay Area during the early and mid 2000's during a boom in no fold em hold em--ABC robot limit poker was an easy way to mint $25/hr at 8/16 half kill (rake was only $3 back then!) I switched to NL a decade ago, and have rarely played limit since switching.

However, I'm finding fewer truly crushable NL games at the levels where the rake isn't a factor. There are still plenty of bums and bad recs, but the games have definitely gotten tougher. Yeah, I could probably improve MANY areas of my NL game, but I'm curious if anyone has switched from $5-$10 NL or lower, to $20/$40 or $25/$50?? I realize that those stakes play slightly higher than a $500Nl game, but the choice is that or 8/16.

If yes, how do the players compare to the current NL players? I've played some 8/16 half kill recently, and found those players to be clearly worse than the average player in my regular NL games. Maybe its lazy of me to seek out worse opponents rather than improve my NL game, but I'm being honest about my abilities. The Mid-Stakes limit games are also occupied by middle aged Asians and Old White Men; I'm not saying that these players don't know what they are doing, but those who match that description are the weaker players in the NL games.

Maybe I'm just nostalgic for the good ole days when people thoughtlessly gave away their money.

Are there any other books for Mid Stakes other than Advanced Limit Hold Em (Sklansky) and Middle Limit Hold Em Poker (Bob Ciaffone) ?

Isn't it possible the midstakes limit games have also trended in the same direction as the NL games?

Here's a blog you may want to check out; I believe (???) this guy may still hang out in the Live Low Stakes Limit forum:

http://jessetakesashot.blogspot.ca/

GgoodluckG

Nice, glad to see Jesse is back. Loved reading his blog and then it just...stopped.

I think we started hanging out in the Live Low Stakes Limit Forum at about the same time, starting out with 2/4 Limit. He quickly accelerated thru the ranks and made the life changing decision to quit his job and go pro. I did the other side of the fence and puttered along at 2/4 and 4/8 limit for entertainment while keeping my job (not that there was any real decision here), eventually moving to lowstakes NL (but again, purely for entertainment). Always enjoyed reading his blog since it was a real take on the grass-is-always-greener side of things. I'm really happy with how things turned out for me and my life; I'll let the reader decide on his side of things. It's still been a while since his comeback post from earlier this year, hopefully he continues with the updates.

My take at the bottom line of it (but admittedly thru my lens): poker is hard.

GcluelesspokernoobG

It is certainly a possibility, but I don't think that there are as many resources available for live mid stakes limit games.

Thanks for the feedback though!

Cool.

Can't remember how I found his blog, as haven't played LHE at all post-Moneymaker. That said, his descriptions of all the characters he played against in NoCal and LA are hilarious.

And yes, poker is hard, especially as a pro.

Most places don't have mid-stakes LHE games, but it is good to be able to play that as an option if the game is better. I've played up to 10/20. A game like 20/40 LHE requires a bigger bankroll than NL games where a good player can have the same win rate, so generally you should be playing limit when the limit game is significantly bigger than the no limit game that is available (and you are a winning player who can afford to play those stakes).

The book that may be appropriate is Stoxtrader's Winning in Tough Hold Em Games.

If you want to consider easy money in a fixed limit game, try seeing if you can play Omaha/8, where nut-peddling against a lineup full of fish can be very profitable, if boring.

A lot of places don't offer *any* limit games whatsoever now. I know in our neck of the woods the limit game (which typically only existed in small stakes form) is virtually extinct in most rooms. Not sure how this is playing out in other markets, but obviously not a good sign going forward, imo.

GcluelesslimitnoobG

I have the bankroll to play $25/$50, so that isn't a concern. I think I have Stoxtrader's book, but I quickly put it down because it wasn't applicable to the games I was playing in at the time.

And yes, I'm looking for the easiest money possible. Omaha/8 is a great game, but the only game close to me is 40/80 (yikes.)

There is always a $25/$50 going at Hustler and $20/$40 at Hawaiian Gardens. I agree that limit isn't as popular as it once was, but I doubt it will die out completely in Los Angeles.

I never though I'd see the day where a poker room didn't have Limit as it's introductory game to Texas Hold'em. Well, that day came 6 years ago in my room and that trend has continued in neighbouring rooms since.

Obviously LA is a completely different and huge market. But things can still change. I'm guessing the games that we're being spread in the mid 90s (just 20 years ago) were fairly different from what is being spread now?

Anyways, at the very least, it is something to consider when moving forward, especially if you're planning on having it make up some of your income when work is slow.

Ggoodluck!G