I've noticed quite a big difference in the number of open tables at $1/2 and $2/4nl FR in comparison to the $0.50/1 and $1/2 levels. Is there really that big a difference between the quality of the players at $1/2 and $2/4?

Aside from the obvious fact the players at $2/4 are better that $1/2, is it really as big a gap as the number of open tables suggests?

I've got some questions relating to this and if any of the big dawgs here have any advice then shibby.

Quick history :

I stopped playing in the middle of last year and returned in December to play FR instead of SH. Built up a bankroll from nothing and moved from 0.25/0.50 to 0.50/1 when I hit $1700ish near the end of January. Since then I've been running at something like $10/100 over 20Kish hands which should leave me at around $5-5.5K by the end of Feb.

Current situation :

I've opened a couple of $1/2nl tables and it's slightly more tight and slightly more aggressive than 0.50/1 which was to be expected. Even though taking my current game to the next level would bring my win rate down from 10bb/100, it should still go up in $'s/100 so the plan is to move up and adjust to the $1/2's by the end of March, which leads me onto the questions.

I have to assume my current game isn't strong enough to beat $2/4, tbh it probably wouldn't break even but this is something I want to do asap and when I say asap I mean when my bankroll hits $8k at the end of March. So.....

Would a 10bb/100 win rate player at 0.50/1.00 bring a strong enough game to the $2/4's after 6 weeks at $1/2?

What are the main noticable difference between $1/2 and $2/4?

What sort of homework do you have to do away from the tables if you're looking to move up? I've never done off the table work aside from reading the odd book. I don't own any of the softwares like PAHUD or HEM manager etc and don't really know how to add to my game to make it stronger and compliment the standard 3-betting, 4-betting, double barreling etc currently in my arsenal of moves.

How do I obtain more of an edge now? What aspects of the game of poker need to be studied and learn't? Is it purely calculating line ratio's or is there more and if it is calculating line ratio's........how do you do that?

Cheers.

10bb/100 at NL100 shoudl be enough to beat any game.. but the thing is I really doubt you could substained that wainrate on the long term.

Also, how many tables you are playing, how many hands you've done at this level???

As for beating NL400 well it depend of your style of play... some really good NL100-200 regs can't make the cuts and some just decent NL200 reg are as good at NL400... just a lot of factors you have to put in there...

I say just take a shot when your bankroll will permit and you'll see quick if you are strong enough.

Every time you try to move up a level one of the most important things to remember is that people will recognize that you're taking a shot and everyone will be putting moves on you.

^^ yes everyone will bluff you constant

I think as you move up, you need to be able to win more hands when you don't have the best hand. You also have to minimize the number of big mistakes. If you think you can do this, take a shot.

@LSP16 - It's only about 25k hands atm which is obv a small sample but even if the win rate drops from 10bb/100 it doesn't change the fact I beat the level comfortably. I play 9-12 tables.

@NutsInYoEye & too eazy - How will they know I'm new to the level? Speshally if I'm only playing a table or 2 during fishy hours. Surely that sneakiness will cloak me enough to be left alone maybe? But yeah if they play at me I'll pick my spots to play back and combine it with a bit of slow-playing occasionally.

@DoubleFly - I'm TAG pre-flop, and aggressive post-flop, understand position and wont bluff unless the EV is up there in terms of success rate. I rarely make big mistakes at this level and am confident about moving up to 200nl then 400nl soon after.

Does anyone have any advice with regards to calculating the optimal lines to take through any given hand? Maybe an example where b/f is better than c/c with the math of the decisions? Is this something I'll need to learn before venturing up to 400nl?

Cheers

b/f is better than c/c like 95% of the time.

The games aren't radically different from level to level. If you can beat a reasonably tough game at 1/2, you can beat an average game @ 2/4, etc.

Players try to run you over

This may not be true, it's simply my opinion, but I think it is more profitable to multitable 9-12 lower stakes

if you are that confiend about your game at NL100/200 I dont see why you wouldnt be able to beat NL400/600 after some little adjustments.

the biggest thing about moving up is adjusting. open up your game, bluff more, and in turn call more bluffs too

as you move up in stakes the fish become more erratic and the regs have fewer leaks

yo as you move up in stakes some regs smash your ****in dome up brah

i got mad leaks and i should quit

Oki dokie so b/f instead of c/c 95% of the time, don't get run over, play fewer tables, stay confident, become a bit more maniacal, turn calling stationy, balance up previous 2, isolate the erratic players and finally if the regs start bullying, get a helmet.

haha, seems simple enough, right?