Some Keys to Micro Stakes Online Play

Beware of the minimum bet. This usually means a decent hand. This is just a basic guideline. Passive micro players want to get paid off when they land a big hand so they think that betting the minimum should get more players involved and thus paying them off. Don’t fall into this mindset.  When I see a passive player bet out the minimum I’ll usually fold (even if I’m the B. Why should I give them action when they don’t give me action?

On the flip side, do bet when you have a good hand. Always raise the standard 3-4x the BB when opening the pot. Don’t be afraid to just win the blinds. If you bet the minimum and you allow seasoned players in cheap then you might have another “bad beat” story to tell your friends about.

Don’t bluff as much. Bluffing at the micro stakes is virtually worthless. Many players will call off a few dollars with marginal hands that could have you beat. Only bluff against players who you know can lay down a hand.

Don’t assume the other player is bluffing. Most players at these levels aren’t going to put in a big bluff as much as you think. Some will and you should be aware of these types of players but for the most part if a player is betting strong usually they have the goods.

Play the weaker players first. At any given table there will be some strong aggressive players even at the micro levels. Why take them on when you can take money from the weak players? Again this goes back to the fundamentals of playing good poker…know the players you’re playing against.

Do bet your hands for value. This is important because you’ll be surprised at how many players will pay you off with meager holdings. For example you hit a set and you want to get paid off with it, so you decide to bet the minimum or something like 1/4 of the pot. Sure you’ll win money this way but if you put in a decent bet or raise you’ll be surprised at how many times you get paid off. Besides a side benefit of this is that the opponent might think you’re bluffing and they’ll pay you off. Even if they fold and you win a small pot that’s ok also. The idea is to maximize your big hands when they come up and the only way to do that is to put out a nice sized bet. Eventually the weaker players will pay you off.

Avoid the coin flips for big pots. I know this might seem like weak poker but at the micro levels it’s not such a bad strategy. Why risk a large portion of your buy-in on a 50/50 proposition when you know that you’ll get paid off eventually when you’re really ahead. In other words get your money in when you have a real advantage and get paid off on those hands rather than risking it on a coin flip.

Play solid ABC poker. Don’t try and make moves or fancy plays at these levels. Most players just won’t understand it.

Don’t check when you hit a monster draw. Most basic players will check when they hit a huge hand such as a straight, flush or a set. So I do the opposite. I usually bet out or raise big when I’ve hit a monster draw. This is like reverse psychology. It will confuse them because they’ll assume you’re thinking on their level, which your’e not. For example, you hit your nut flush draw and you’re first to act. Instead of checking, which is the obvious line on this, you’re better off betting because your opponent might think you’re bluffing and pay you off.

This is a basic guidline for playing the micro levels and by micro levels I mean 10NL-25NL tables.

I stick to this basic strategy as a guideline when I play the micros and I’ve been successful at it.