Ok, so I did about 8K total hands in 2NL, and (in accordance with proper bankroll management) have "levelled up" to 5NL.

I tried to find the post that said there wasn't much difference between the various micro-stakes levels, but my initial observations at 5NL suggest that there are some BIG differences, at least to players who aren't accustomed to better play.

The main one is less limping.

At 2NL, virtually every table is at least 50% limpers. I think this may be where my other thread about the potential value of limping is: if it's cheap to see a flop & everyone's doing it, then why not? You can continue with better cards. But in 5NL there are very few hands where someone isn't pushing 3BB+. Limping here is just throwing money away. (It may have been at 2NL also, although it had a different dynamic to it. I definitely did better after I stopped limping -- on your advice! Thank you!)

Additionally, I see fewer people chasing draws. One initial tactic that has been successful is to slow-play a medium-strong hand under the guise of chasing a draw. Not enough statistical sample to report long term effect, but I've won a few big (-ish, for me) pots that way. Someone with a medium-weak hand will happily lead me to my donkey doom only to find that my pair of 9's is taking their $2.

On the flip side, I've run into a wide range of responses to a shove. Some people don't want to lose their $5 no matter what, and fold. Others shove back, depending on their read. At 2NL it was fun to all-in because people would call with the most amazingly awful hands. But at 5NL, I think I need to be a lot more careful about what hands I'm aggressive with. If someone shoves back, they probably have me beat.

Anyway, I don't have enough hands to make any firm conclusions, but for other newbs thinking about graduation, those are my initial observations. Be glad to hear other people's thoughts...

(All at PokerStars, BTW.)