Betting and your comfort level

[Bankerdude80]

For me, I am most at ease playing a $5 minimum table. I like the regression flexibility. Hard to find on the Strip where I mostly stay when in Vegas. There are a few $5 tables, but usually they are extremely busy. The only drawback is that I tend to be not so vigilant in monitoring my betting. A $10 table doesn't affect my comfort too much and I can play them as well.

My question is, how does one determine they are ready to step it up to a higher denom table? Should we be be looking at our betting levels as units as opposed to dollars? If I can play a $5 table with a $100 buy-in, why can't I play a $25 table with a $500 buy-in? It's the same amount of chips. Obviously we would want to buy-in for more than that. I know I can play at that level if I want, but what is it that affects our comfort level, i.e. feeling at ease while playing? Why am I afraid to play a $25 table? Is it more a matter of dipping your toes in the pool and getting used to the water? Or, is it something else?

[Mad Professor]

Since you have been a red-chipper up until now, you should anticipate a higher level of anxiety when you step up to the green-chip level of play, especially in stores that you are unfamiliar with.

If you are simply scaling-up your current bets, and not adding any other dimensions to your game (like trying to hedge the risk out of the higher betting units you will be using); then you should be okay.

However, if you are adding any new twists (or especially any of those above-mentioned hedges); I think that it could be a highly dangerous mix.

First, I think it is important to try out a new betting-method at tables you are currently comfortable with...and at a betting-level you are currently comfortable with too. That gives you a base of comparison in which to evaluate your new betting-method, as well as to acclimate yourself to the higher bet-levels that you anticipate using.

Once you validate your edge over those bets at familiar real-world tables where anxiety is generally not a problem, and at bet-levels that don't raise your shooting-stress; then you can probably slowly ratchet things up.

To my mind, de-sensitizing yourself to higher bet-levels is something that HAS to be done, regardless of the betting-methods you use. Many, many fine shooters are still at the $5 and $10 tables because they can't handle the stress of betting at the higher-denom $15, $25, and $50 levels.

Once you desensitize yourself to betting at the higher levels and you've validated your at-home practice results in the real-world under live-fire conditions; then you can probably move up to the $25 and higher tables with a fair degree of confidence.

What I find works best, is to play at those higher bet-levels at a low-buck table first. That is, treat a $5 table like it's a $15 or $25 table. That way, you are already comfortable with your surroundings, and not walking up afresh to a new-to-you layout.



MP

[Bankerdude80]

Thanks MP.

[heavy]

Since $5 tables are readily available in most of the casinos I frequent I find it easy to play a $10 game. There's usually at least one $10 game and one $5 game open. I'd rather play the $10 game because it's usually empty - but I'll got o the $5 game and I'll still play at the $10 level when betting on myself. However, it affords me a lower entry point for betting on other shooters, which isn't a bad thing when betting on unknowns (which you probably shouldn't do anyway).

[London Shooter]

I think it is a good tip to get used to a higher betting level by upping your stake on a table with lower minimums.

Out of interest, for things like hardways bets, do they go up in minimum eventually as table minimum rises? Say on a $25 table does a hardways bet have to be something like a $5 minimum?

[Dylanfreake]

In my early playing days in Tunica, I sought out the $1 table and the $3 tables. I freaked out making a $5 wager. Now I handle $10 tables just fine . I think a $25 table would still be intimidating to me.

[davper]

When I first started playing, I wouldn't play if it was not a $5 table.

Today, I find myself considering playing at the $25 table to avoid the crowds. I just don't have the bankroll for that yet.
My problem is I like one or 2 hit regressions to start a hand. That means a much higher bet than most are used to.

How many people tried the MP 204 bet and started to sweat at risking that much. Move to a $25 dollar table and you will have to double that and lock less profit (percentage wise) after 2 hits.

Before you move up in weight class, you need to be ready with your betting strategy for that level. Here is areal life example...
I was at a crowded $10 table when they opened up a $15 next to it. I said what the hell, I already start with $18 on the 6/8. What's 5 more dollars on the pass. So I moved. Bad move on my part.
That extra 5 on the pass meant my whirl bet didn't cover me on 1/2 craps. I could not place the 5 and 9 when my 6/8 hit unless I tossed more more down on the table. This is small potatoes to some. But if you are not mentally prepared for it, it can really mess with your game. It did for me.

[Tgold]

Hi Bankerdude80
Excellent post/thought. Your dilemma is one that 99% of us have considered and a bridge that all should cross.
Bottomline: If you havnt already you must cross this bridge asap.

Your final sentence is exactly correct: "Is it more a matter of dipping your toes in the pool and getting used to the water?" .
Yes, so the additional financial risk doesn't affect your shot. Although I would bet you already wager a larger amount than the higher-limit table will require anyway.

There are two options: We can do the NIKE slogan: "Just Do It", or we can follow a more graduated approach as below.

1) First, practice your higher betting increments at home.
2) Secondly, apply the higher amounts at your favorite casino on your current denomination table ($5 or $10) for the first trial run.(As MP mentions above.)
2B) If you have the opportunity you may consider going from a $5 table to a $15 , then onward to the >=$25 tables.

The main benefits and why I suggested "cross this bridge asap": You Will Make More Money.

A) You will make more money(If your shooting is >6.5 SRR), as the higher limits will force you to bet fewer wagers with more money per wager=more money received per hit, and since you cant do an ISR down to $5 you will be forced to keep more action on the table to run through your >6.5SRR machine=More money for you.

B) Fewer players at the higher denomination tables=more money because your getting to shoot more often with less wait between turns. Which means your performance will likely increase because its easier to make any necessary tweaks to your shot, or allow your shooting to stay in the groove =more money. Also, fewer unknown or random shooters, so less temptation to bet on others=more money for you.

C) IMO a higher percentage of seasoned players seem to be found at higher limit tables. More seasoned players=more respect of the craps etiquette. IMO, a higher percentage of the players at a >=$25 table are more serious about making money (or at least if they aren't serious about making money that at least have the common sense/courtesy to respect the game et al players), fewer players blowing cigar smoke onto the shooters face, fewer drunk college kids tossing in $83 in $1s/5s in the middle of your hand...ETC =more money for you.

*One final thought is if you don't always play high odds on a non preferred point#: You may want to see what the table requires for odds as I have encountered some casinos that may also require the table minimum for odds too (e.g., $25 table also require >=$25 odds), and I've seen others with $25min tables that will allow <$25odds.

Thanks for sharing ur thoughts/ taking time to post.

All the best,
Tgold

[London Shooter]

Excellent post tgold. You points give me some further food for thought on this issue with a couple of benefits I hadn't really considered before.

[heavy]

Something as simple as incorporating a regression also helps. I remember the first time I tossed $110 inside on the table with the intent of taking 2 hits and down. I ended up taking 1 hit and regressing to a $12 six and eight. After one hit on the six and eight I regressed to $22 inside and took another $2 off the table. My average bet for 3 tosses was $52, which felt a lot better to me. But over time I became accustomed to $110 inside and $160 across became the norm with a stretch to two or three hits and down. Again, it's just a matter of becoming accustomed to it.

[Bankerdude80]

Thanks for the additional insight, everyone.