I wrote this as an email for a friend of mine who is struggling to beat $2nl.
He did/didn't have any idea of position or any range of starting hands - your typical microstakes player.

Disclaimer : I'm by no means a great player - I'm now playing $50nl having worked up from $50 approx 6 months ago (playing 20ish hrs a week), so I guess I'm doing something right.
This was how I played $2nl through to $10nl - at $25nl you have to get a bit more tricky - though not alot.

I thought it may be helpful to have a guide for noobs to refer to. So any thoughts/ ammendments that can be made are much appreciated (incl if you just think its sh*te)

ok then here it is:



Willburs Guide to beating micro-stakes no-limit 6 max ($2nl, $5nl, $10nl).

Beating the micro-stakes is all about playing position and good cards. no need to get tricky - the players you're up against aren't good enough to notice.

6 max table = SB (small blind), BB (Big Blind), UTG (Under the gun), MP (middle position), CO (Cut off), BTN (button).

o = unsuited s= suited ie AKo or AKs

The CO and BTN is where we make most of our money. And Sets. Learn to love sets...

When I say raise it is generally between 3x or 4x the Big Blind. but at $2nl always raise between 5x or 6x.
If in a raised pot I'd raise the hands below 3 x the pot (though you may want to leave out the suited connectors in a raised pot - but I'd play these also)

Pre Flop

Raising hands:

UTG : AA, KK, AKs, AKo, A-Qs, K-Qs, QQ, JJ, 10-10. fold all crap like K-J, A-J, Q-10 etc even if suited. FOLD.
MP: Same as above. though maybe add A-Js
CO: all above, plus add K-Js, Q-Js, 10-Js, K-Qo, also add PPs (Pocket Pairs) 55, 66, 77, 88, 99.
BTN: All above and also all PPs. Also add suited connectors 4-5, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, J-10. And also hands like Q-10s, K-9s,
SB : Same as UTG (if all folds raise 4x with all hands you'd play from BTN though)
BB: Same as CO (be prepared to fold alot to the BTNs raises - don't get tricky).

IMPORTANT Note: unless otherwise stated, limp in with all PP's and call upto 10x BB. You are looking for a set on the Flop. If you hit a set keep raising and get all-in even if theres possible flushes or straights. No set - fold to any raise.

Post Flop (don't worry if you think your play will look predictable - people aren't paying attention at these stakes)

If you get called (upto 2 players - if 3+ players call, check unless you have a strong hand) and are first to act always fire out a CB (continuation bet) of between 1/2 and 3/4 of the pot. do this regardless of whether or not you hit the flop.
If you get re-raised and don't have a hand fold.
If you have any hand like TPTK (top pair, top kicker), 2 pair, trips or a very strong draw (1 card to flush or straight) RE-RAISE and be prepared to go all-in. Flat call middle or bottom pair, if no improvement on turn 50% of time fire out a 3/4 pot bet, 50% check. Fold to a re-raise.

If you are last to act and they have checked, fire out a CB of 2/3 - 3/4 of the pot regardless if you have a hand or not.
If they bet, and you have any sort of hand re-raise 3 x their bet. Also re-raise any nut flush or nut straight draw. If they push all-in after your CB call with TPTK, 2 pair, trips or the nut flush or nut straight draw. Obv fold if you have no hand.

The Turn and River should play themselves - if you have followed above and are now on the Turn, facing a bet, pot odds should determine the play. If you have a TPTK+ be prepared to get all-in. Same on river - you should be pot commited with a good hand. Go with it.

Good Luck.