Player Buy-Ins

[hankr]

I am quite new, and play at 1-2 cent NL tables. MAX buy-in is $2 and any in-game re-buy can only take you back to $2 MAX, just so you know where I'm coming from.

I am amazed at the number of players who let their stacks get to $1 or even less. They don't have the stack to capitalize on a big hand even if they do get one.

When I get to $1.50, I re-buy to $2.

Do players at higher stakes (it doesn't get any lower than 1-2 cent) let themselves get so short-stacked when all they need to do is buy more between hands? We're talkin' pennies here!

Do you use this as an indicator of a generally weak player when you first sit-in (before you get a more-informed read on him/her)? Does this initial assessment usually bear-out?

[Sed]

When I move up in limits I start with close to the same stack that I was risking in the previous limits as a way to get comfortable... .05/.1 NL max buyin is 10$ so when popped up to .10/.25 I started out with 10$. Its enough to play with but not to completely capitolize on monsters or put me on tilt with a bad beat 2.5x the size you are used to... It's just a psychological thing for me and after I double up at a couple tables I feel that I can handle the stakes and use the full buyin. I try to avoid tables with a lot of small stacks. Not enough money to take.

- sed

[johnnyawe]

Yes, players continue to do this at all limits. Yes, it probably could be used as an indication of a weak player. Yes, it is good play for you, assuming you are a winning poker player, to keep your stack close to the max so you can capitalize on a good hand.

Yes, players continue to do this at all limits. Yes, it probably could be used as an indication of a weak player. Yes, it is good play for you, assuming you are a winning poker player, to keep your stack close to the max so you can capitalize on a good hand.

Precisely, when you get the nuts, you want to get the maximum possible out of the hand. This is impossible if you are a short stack.

[anarres]

If someone is a bad player who loses I doubt they would take $100 to the $.5/$1 tables at pokerstars...

I see many very poor players at the "standard" buy-in of $40, and that is often a sign in itself they are weak.

Those who buy in at $20 (the min) are simply jokers waiting to be had. They can't even get action or push anyone from a pot and often limp out most their money before going all in. TBH these people are barely worth the $20 because they take up a seat that somone much more "giving" could occupy.