Moving up stakes

Out of curiosity, how difficult is it on one's style of play when moving up stakes? Playing at 2NL I'm trying to create "good" habits whilst doing my best to avoid creating "bad" ones but I know that doing things not profitable higher up is sometimes profitable down here.

So in general I'd like to hear your stories of moving up in stakes. Any shocks to the system? Huge (or smaller) differences which took you unawares? Anything which us lower-stakes players need to keep an eye open for when our bankroll is ready to move up?

The only advice I can give you is that the play is a little better than 2NL FR. 2NL will probably have 1 to 2 decent players sitting at the table and 5NL will have 3 to 4. Just play smart and be positionally aware and you will be fine.

I've been up to 100NL through the microstakes and the biggest shock was that value-betting works just as well at 2NL as it does at 100NL as long as you are good enough at considering your opponent's calling range.

Another shock was the realisation that there was absolutely no need to play tricky.

Also be ready to get slapped upside the head when you move up, which is not to be unexpected if you are following BR management. I moved from 10NL to 25 when my roll reached $500, and I was very conscientious about keeping it up there when playing at 25NL. As soon as it got back noticeably below $500, I dropped back down to 10, and even had some bad swings after that where my BR was getting down toward $350. Got it back over $500 and took another shot. Got knocked back again for a couple more months. But the third time I reached $500, things clicked for me at 25NL (less variance early on and better play, if I do say so myself) and I was able to get up to around $1000 at that level. The point is that your first foray into new territory may send you a reality check, but don't get discouraged too much if you have to drop back down for a time.

One very strange thing I noticed about the jump from 10 to 25 is that the play is frequently looser and fishier at the higher level (at PStars). Anyone else notice this?

Agreed Deacon. I see lots more people pushing draws on the flop at 25NL and stacking off with top pair.

Originally Posted by Pythonic

Agreed Deacon. I see lots more people pushing draws on the flop at 25NL and stacking off with top pair.

Seconded. I took a shot the other day, got stacked holding AA against K8 on a Kxx board. Apparently at 25NL, kings enjoy swimming in the river.

I can't wait to go back.