Buy in issue appears quite often in poker blogs or articles. You can find opinions of tenths of professionals, authors and other game experts, who will tell you how profitable and advantageous maximum possible buy-in during no limit poker is. Certainly, having a large stack in a ring game is a great idea and this position gives you multiple preferences such as comfort and more chances to win more. However, buying in for the minimal stake allowed at a table can also be very advantageous. There are three main reasons that can prove you that buying in using minimal stake in games like Texas Hold’em is really worth your attention.
1. Your financial state won’t be hurt by one defeat. It is clear buying in for the minimum bears lower risk. You can try it without fear to go bankrupt with just one or two games. Usually, in case of no-limit games, the minimum buy-in is 20 the big blind, so you can pay $40 and buy into a $1/2 game or empty your pocket for $200 and buy into a $5/10. This is also a great way to participate in games with huge bankroll. If you read advices by experienced poker players, you can often find there that you should avoid games with bankroll exceeding your budget. All beginners will only benefit from following that advice, but if you feel ready for serious game, why not to start it by trying minimal buy in? If you have $200 to play with, you can lose the whole sum with just one bad luck round, or you can use $40 buy in and play several times.
2. This strategy provides easier decision making. Unlike many people think, when you don’t have rows of chips in front of you, whole decision making process becomes much simpler. For example, you don’t need to think whether you should choose a second raise on preflop or no. With all-in you can frequently be paid more than you would in case of more chips. All-in is like a final decision and all you need to do is to sit and wait. If someone calls you, all is left for you is to hope for the best. If no one has called you, you get funds for future attacks. Also such gaming style can make other players think you’re a tough player. As you see, when you select minimal buy in, all in is not that scary at all.
3. Double up possibility. Even if you start with small stacks, this doesn’t mean you can never dominate at the table and continue your game doubling up. It’s such a wonderful feeling – to start with small budget, make your moves and buy in with small cash, steadily make your budget grow due to smart holdings and timely aggression, and, finally, become the chip leader at the table.
While deciding to go all-in with preflop on a short stake, carefully look at your hand. The recommended hands are J-J, K-K, A-A, A-K and, rarely, A-Q. Usually after the flop you have just some little money left, so consider taking all money you have into the pot, especially when you have a top pair. Even if you fail to win, you have not spent much for that buy in. Also mention your aim is not to call numerous raises with small stacks. This strategy will quickly make you lose your chips and so you won’t have enough money for real maneuver when a good hand appears. You better choose one quality hand and make all-in instead of splitting your modest budget.
This type of behavior requires some patience and time, but this is a truly working way to make real money from small investment.