Karina Jett on Low Limit Profits

Filed in archive Poker Blogs on May 29, 2007

The lovely Karina Jett (wife to fellow touring pro Chip Jett) dropped by Full Tilt poker to show some love to the low rollers.

No, she didn't randomly give away money to those of us sitting around the quarter/half-dollar tables. She's blogged an article about the positives of playing a little under your "normal" blinds and taking advantage of your skill level and negating "gulp" factor that John Vorthaus coined describing the value you place on the chips sitting in front of you.

Jett describes playing in these lower limit games as a way to earn cash at the poker tables, while negating the risk factor and making the more enjoyable to play in.

Here's part of the article from Karina at Full Tilt Poker:

Then a couple of years ago, Chip and I started a family. As you'd expect, things changed. We settled in Vegas and kept our travel to a minimum. The change in circumstances also effected our game selection. We needed to play in games where the income was pretty steady and the swings weren't so dramatic.

For a family-oriented poker player like myself, $2-$5 No-Limit is just fine. I can make the money I need without putting a whole lot at risk. These games may not have the same drama as the larger stakes games where the amount won and lost in individual pots could pay for a nice luxury car, but they provide plenty of entertainment and excitement just the same. What's more, by playing at lower levels than your bankroll allows, you can easily absorb the occasional bad beat or bad night.

Playing low-limit poker doesn't mean you're sitting in action-free games either. In fact, these games can provide even more action than you'll find at the higher limits because they attract many more casual players who are just out for an evening of fun and are looking to "gamble" a little more at the table. For these people, losing a buy-in or two is the price of a night out.

There's no shame playing for lower stakes than you think you can afford. If playing high causes you stress or is taking money away from other priorities in your life, then try dropping down the ladder and playing at levels where your skill advantage will help you build a more comfortable bankroll for the future.

Karina Jett