So what changes when you move up?

[ponyboy]

Just wondering what part of play really changes when you move up levels. My assumption is you're going to deal with increased amounts of blind stealing, bluffing at pots and proper bit sizing so to induce calls.

At what level in NL did you notice a real change in style of play, what was the biggest change and what did you do to adjust to it?

The most important part is that people get better at hand-reading. Hand-reading is the most important edge a good player has. As long as you can outread your competition, you can generally learn to beat that level.

[daven]

Just wondering what part of play really changes when you move up levels. My assumption is you're going to deal with increased amounts of blind stealing, bluffing at pots and proper bit sizing so to induce calls.

At what level in NL did you notice a real change in style of play, what was the biggest change and what did you do to adjust to it?

full ring - more stealing, more blind defence, more 3-betting, less stacking off with weak holdings, more semi-bluffing, etc...

5nl and 10nl played the same, 25nl people a little better, 50nl there are some players with a sound grasp of some basics, 100nl is much the same as 50nl (and maybe even easier), 200nl there are some good players floating around.

[cardsman1992]

aggression both pre and post flop starts changing at $100, and definitely increases at $200.

[Stacks]

I agree with daven's breakdown. 5nl/10nl was much the same game. 25nl started to show some decent regs that knew a little about the game. 50nl is where players began 3betting light, proper bet sizing etc came in, and 100nl so far as played the same as 50nl for me.

The thing is though this is generally only pertaining to the regs. The fish/donks are still abundant, and still suck as bad as ever.

[daven]

The thing is though this is generally only pertaining to the regs. The fish/donks are still abundant, and still such as bad as ever.

qft
this hand took place while reading this post... find your fish, pick their tendencies, exploit - or something like that. I'm the fish in this hand.

Full Tilt No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) - Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP3 ($58.75)
CO ($95.35)
Button ($86.60)
SB ($113.35)
BB ($57.10)
Hero (UTG) ($50)
UTG+1 ($24.05)
MP1 ($59.50)
MP2 ($30.15)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 8, 8
Hero raises to $1.75, 3 folds, MP3 calls $1.75, 4 folds

Flop: ($4.25) 4, 6, 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $3, MP3 calls $3

Turn: ($10.25) 10 (2 players)
Hero bets $7, MP3 raises to $14, Hero calls $7

River: ($38.25) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP3 bets $40 (All-In), Hero calls $31.25 (All-In)

Total pot: $100.75 | Rake: $3

Results below:
Hero had 8, 8 (three of a kind, eights).
MP3 had 9, J (high card, Jack).
Outcome: Hero won $97.75

edit, and this hand a second ago: still fish

Full Tilt No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) - Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP3 ($38.10)
CO ($62.05)
Button ($25)
Hero (SB) ($50)
BB ($112.90)
UTG ($130.45)
UTG+1 ($255.15)
MP1 ($52)
MP2 ($30.25)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A, A
UTG calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP1 raises to $1.50, MP2 calls $1.50, 2 folds, Button calls $1.50, Hero raises to $9.90, 1 fold, UTG calls $9.40, MP1 calls $8.40, MP2 calls $8.40, Button calls $8.40

Flop: ($50) 5, 6, 9 (5 players)
Hero bets $40.10 (All-In), 3 folds, Button calls $15.10 (All-In)

Turn: ($80.20) 5 (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: ($80.20) 3 (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $80.20 | Rake: $3

Results in white below:
Button had 7, 6 (two pair, sixes and fives).
Hero had A, A (two pair, Aces and fives).
Outcome: Hero won $77.20

[JeffreyGB]

The biggest shift, IMO, is that you encounter more and more fairly proficient players. That means more aggression, and makes it much harder to win just playing standard lines. This mostly applies above $1/$2, but poker becomes much more about figuring out your opponents and doing what will make money against them than against the average player.