Ring Games: Advantages for Buying in
the Maximum
written by BeatTheFish.com
...Fishy says, "I'm very confident
despite my 1.5" stature."
Recently, I wrote a piece on the
advantages for buying a small amount of chips (20-40x the big blind)
in a no-limit cash game. While there are several advantages to
playing on a shortstack, experienced and confident players will also
find many advantages in buying in for the maximum amount, which is
usually 100x the big blind. So, if you’re playing in a $1/2 no-limit
cash game that would be $200. I will often buy in for the most
possible for three main reasons, which I will outline below.
1) You can make more money. The first motivation for buying
in for the maximum is purely about profit. If you have more chips in
front of you, you can win larger pots and make more money in less
time. Since all online poker tables and casino cardrooms operate on
table stakes, you are entitled to win as much of your opponents’
money as you have in front of you. If you’re playing a big hand
against an opponent who’s been winning at the table and has $400,
you can go all-in with your $200 and possibly win $400. If you
started with $40, you could only win $80. If you have the bankroll
for the stakes you want to play, the easiest way to maximize your
equity in the game is to start off with a big stack.
2) Power, table image, and skill level. I believe it was
Johnny Chan was once said something akin to, “Poker is a war and
your chips are your soldiers.” Usually, the side with the most
soldiers is going to win the war, or at least the battle. Arm
yourself with the most soldiers at the table. Chips and position are
power in Hold’em and should always be looking for any extra edge
that you can take. A larger stack is also more intimidating to your
opponents than one that amounts to little more than scared money.
This is just as true in cash games as it is in tournaments. They see
what looks like a winning player sit down with an adequate bankroll.
Your opponents will have their first sign that you mean business and
they will tend to avoid confrontations with you because you can
break them. Also, if you believe you have a skill advantage over
most, if not all, of your opponents you want to be able to win more
of their chips via a bigger stack.
3) Comfort and the ability to draw. I occasionally buy in
with a shortstack for the advantages mentioned in my previous
article, but it definitely isn’t a comfortable cash game experience.
When you don’t have a lot of chips, you’re constantly battling the
blinds and just hoping to pick up a monster hand. Even if you do win
an all-in pot or two, you still haven’t made a large amount of
money. On the converse, a sizeable stack allows you to play plenty
of rounds without the blinds affecting you. You can be more
selective about your starting hands and play large pots when you
have the best of it. Also, you may be more willing to gamble on
open-ended straight or flush draws when it won’t cripple you or
force you to be all-in.
If you feel as though you have a skill advantage in a no-limit
hold’em cash game, plan to be at the table for a while, and don’t
feel like battling between the blinds and all-in moves, then I
thoroughly recommend buying in for as much as you can. It will allow
you the flexibility to play a patient yet aggressive style of play,
project a powerful image to your opponents, and make the most money
in the shortest amount of time. Remember, you only need to win that
one monster pot to be a big winner for the session. Be patient and
play the cards and situations that you know will put you in the best
position for profit.
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