Cash SRP - Am I trying to too simplify my strategy?
I am currently playing at microstakes.
I realized that many people; usually not mid-high stakes players, try to simplify their strategy by choosing one of the 3 sizes on the flop and turn and 2 sizes on the river.
For example, on the flop, people choose one of 33%, 66% and 130% sizes and construct their range according to only one size on the flop and turn.
Can I make my strategy even simpler than that?
This is my plan: choose one of 3 sizes(33%, 66%, 130%) on the flop and one of 2 sizes(50%, 130%) on the turn. And then play 2 sizes(50% and 130%) on the river.
50% is the size that can cover both of small(33%) and medium(66%) size, imo.
Yes, I might lost EV by simplifying like this, but I don't think it is huge(especially in micro/low stakes)
When I move up stakes, like NL100 or NL200, I need to make my strategy more complicated.
But this time, can I use that simple strategy and construct my range according to it?
3 Replies
Completely fine. You should always have all-in for a sizing, especially on the river though.
You can definitely simplify with your sizes, but I would consider simplifying differently. I would probably choose sizings based on the board texture and positions, and not simply based on the street you're on.
Most flops can be simplified to one or two sizes, but which sizings you choose will vary based on the board texture and positions.
Similarly on turns and rivers you will likely want to vary your sizings based on the board and positions.
For example one option you'll usually want to have that you didn't mention is a small sizing when you're out of position on the turn and (especially) river. In position the small sizing isn't used as much on the turn and river but it's pretty important OOP.
All that being said, I literally used one sizing (1/2 pot) my entire first couple years playing poker. That was good enough to beat 1/2 live and break evenish on stakes higher than micros online.
Online poker especially has gotten a lot tougher but executing a strategy well is still more important than dialing in every little sizing nuance, IMO.
You have the right idea because a lot of regs even at midstakes don't think about their range sizing scheme and become very exploitable.
1 size flop/turn and 2 river is fine but limiting your size options so heavily is a bad idea in my opinion.
Like if you're OOP on the river with a big group of hands that want to bet 25%-ish but if you're only using b50 minimum you don't know whether to b50 or check these and it becomes harder to play. And there are times you'll want more than 130% pot
