Problem with small fields - Beginning Poker Questions

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Problem with small fields

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06-18-2013 , 02:41 AM

Zanardi

grinder

Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 650

Hey,

I have a problem and I don't know how to solve it.

The problem is that I am doing a mediocre to poor job when I play cash games at stakes with small fields. There are a few facts that support what I said.

Last year, I played poker on 888. I crushed NL2, then moved up to NL6, stake at which there were 7-8 tables max. I started as a winner, but, as the time went on, I got relegated to a breakeven player. I took a 3 buy-in shot at NL10 and I soon was a regular there, with a good performance. At 888, NL2 and NL10 had over 30 tables.
Now I play on PokerStars. I began at NL5, FR, crushed the game and moved back to NL10. However, I moved to NL10 zoom. I had a good start, then a 80k break-even stretch. One I moved to NL10 FR, place with many more tables (at least 60), I began, again, doing a good job. Being bakrolled for NL16, I took two shots, both failed. Of course, NL16 has wayyy less tables (at most 30). Now I am back at NL10.

Have you had the same problem? Do you know how to overcome it? In theory, it's a simple one because you have few players to beat and you get to know them really quickly.

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06-18-2013 , 03:20 AM

anonla

Cause and effect

Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 5,456

Only way that makes sense is that in a smaller pool are more regs and in a bigger percentage of recreational players is larger. Do table select better. Pay attention to which stat your opponents do have. I have a strong assumption, that the thing is not smaller or bigger pool, but stats of your opponents.

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06-18-2013 , 05:24 AM

Cangurino

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 13,476

The size of the player pool can't have a direct effect on your results. Two possible explanations are

It's all in your head.
The few players are mostly good players (although they apparently suck at table selection).

In the latter case, skipping a level as a means of game selection is reasonable IMO. I think I noticed this effect at NL16 on Stars, although this has been a while ago.

Last edited by Cangurino; 06-18-2013 at 05:41 AM.

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06-18-2013 , 05:33 AM

JamieMacLEAN

journeyman

Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 359

Even with the small player fields at the micros most of the players at the stake your playing will be fish.

A smaller player field could make you get lazy in table selecting.

Bigger fields make it easier to chop and change tables to find the fish as you please.

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06-18-2013 , 06:02 AM

Zanardi

grinder

Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 650

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cangurino

In the latter case, skipping a level as a means of game selection is reasonable IMO. I think I noticed this effect at NL16 on Stars, although this has been a while ago.

And what have you done? You skipped NL16?

Last edited by Zanardi; 06-18-2013 at 06:02 AM. Reason: Typo

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06-18-2013 , 06:18 AM

Big_Mick00

Verified Coach MTT

Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 8,720

I play 200nl on 888 and there are plenty of tables. Are you filtering correctly? Do you start tables yourself?

Only thing the size if the player pool with effect is your ability to mass grind which you shouldn't be doing at the micros