I've been doing very well at 2NL (4 tables) on PS the past couple of months so I decided to step up to 5NL. I tend to keep breaking even (give or take a buy in or two). I did some searching on players who do well at 2NL and noticed they too do not do very well at 5NL. I was wondering what sort of changes one should make to their game when switching from 2NL to 5NL on PS.

I'm just taking shots at 5NL now, so I'm quite interested in this. I haven't noticed much difference yet, but that's not surprising considering I've only played 200 hands.

what's your username on stars? (I want to see your graph)

I'd be interested to hear comments on this too - I've been taking shots with 15 BIs, and each time keep getting it handed to me. I break even for ages, and tend to lose my big hands (probably due to overplaying my hand rather than variance). I think there's some things I'm doing wrong (or not doing right) but not sure what, if any, adjustments I should be making.

People here say there's little or no difference, but my 2NL game doesn't seem to be cutting it.

It really doesn't play that much different in my opinion. The only thing I can think that I needed to adjust was my stack off range. You need to be paying off a little bit less with non nut hands but even then it's about the same type of game.

sidscott1231 on pokerstars

Hmm. Small sample, but from what I can see on PTR, you're playing very differently in 5NL. A lot looser, a lot less aggressive and showing down a lot more.

Actually, for me I think this is what I've been doing - stacking off too lightly, thinking that the vill is either bluffing or overplaying a worse hand to my TPTK/2pr/set, when in fact they are just like 2NL and only playing back with nutty hands. Certainly that's been the source of most of my bigger 5NL losses over the last 2 weeks, and most hands I should've backed off/shut down.

But then, how to deal with that feeling that you're being floated when some 40/15 calls 4BB pre and 75% pot on flop to your TPTK/2pair? My problem I think is that I become committed (or feel I am) - by the time you've bet 4BB pre, then another ~5-10BB on the flop, the pot is getting too big for your small hand? But conversely, if I don't take this kind of line I'm pricing in the draws?

Sorry if this is a bit of a thread hijack, but I was coincidentally planning on posting on this very issue later today.

@circusmidget: I might post some PT3 stats later.

At 5NL you should still be playing ABC poker. No need for fancy moves at that level.

I noticed that too on PTR. And now that I think about it a couple weeks ago I played live for the first time at a casino. It was 1/2 spread limit 2-10. I noticed so many were playing tight so I started stepping up my aggression. Showing bluffs (sometimes). Showing good hands that didn't get called. Just doing a lot of switching things up. Even chasing like a donk at times. I bought in for 100 and ended up cashing out over 500 after 11 straight hours (minus cigarette breaks.) Although I had a lot of luck I kept thinking back to how I handled many different hands and situations and noticed that despite the donk chase luck I had I also was utilizing board structures, my image, and other's images to try to make the best decisions. I incorporated some of that mentality in my online game. That night I had my best 2nl session ever. The next day is when I started dabbling in 5nl so I guess in reality I am looser and sometimes more passive post flop. I'm glad I posted this because in reality I probably should go back to my old style. I didn't even think about how much I changed my style after that live game. I think it was all just a run of good luck I let go to my head.

Out of interest, what qualifies as a "fancy move" for 2 & 5NL?

I'd move up (or play one table 5NL, and the rest 2NL)..play around with it, but your stats after 22k hands is solid

Im just basically pointing out the fact, that he doesn't need to feel like he should be bluffing more. Also thinking about scare cards or perfect bluff spots. Many (NOT ALL) players at this level aren't good "thinking" players.

As promised here are my stats - small samples, I know, but if anyone sees anything particularly wrong please let me know. I think my recent losses are, as mentioned above, due to overplaying small hands.

Basic stats:



More detail:



Positional stats:



Chart:



Thoughts? PTR says that I'm too LAG postflop, and looking at it now that's probably right given my recent bad play with small hands.

i wish i ran that close to EV Piscivore. i was quite similar to you on stars just about winning at a very low rate. took a few shots at 10nl when i wasnt roled but hardly ever lost. but i got abit fed up with stars on party now @ 4nl and its much better.
@ party the pot and 3/4 pot buttons means the pots are much bigger so you really can make money much easier

I am? Which stats tell you about EV performance?

He thinks the blue line is EV.

Ah. No, wrong chart. IIRC, my all-in EV chart, my winnings are above EV. Not sure if that's good or bad..