6-Max Games vs Heads Up Poker vs Full Ring
Aside from deciding what type of game you are going to play, another important decision you will make in poker is what variation of the game you will play. 6-Max, Heads Up (HU) and Full Ring all have unique characteristics that make each one the perfect choice for different people. The aggression levels are the biggest variable between these three variations. The difference in aggression will force players to adapt to a certain style and adhere to different rules. Many Heads Up players are not profitable at 6-Max, and vice versa.
6-Max Games – Bankrolls and Aggression
Today 6-Max games are becoming more and more popular. Back in the PartyPoker days of 2003 and 2004 the most popular games were Full Ring, but this has changed quite a bit over the past few years. Players enjoy the increased aggression in 6-Max games when compared to Full Ring games but appreciate that it is not quite as fast paced as Heads Up action is. 6-Max games are changing a lot in and of themselves these days, with new approaches being applied frequently. As it has grown in popularity so has the strategy. If you are considering playing 6-Max games you should be prepared to maintain a 20-40 buy in bankroll depending upon your stakes and comfort level.
HU (Heads Up) Games – Bankrolls and Competition
Heads Up is the most aggressive form of poker. The action is nonstop and tight players are usually torn apart, piece by piece. Tight players can hang around in Full Ring games and wait for hands, but in Heads Up matches there is no time for waiting. Each pot is fought for with relentless aggression that only practice can teach. HU players generally enjoy much higher win rates than their 6-Max or Full Ring counterparts. Because of the increased profitability in HU poker there is incredible competition, particularly at the mid to high stakes. It is not too difficult to be a winning HU player at the microstakes, but as soon as you hit ½ and higher you should expect to encounter a steep learning curve. Players who are Heads Up specialists usually maintain 100 buy in bankrolls as the swings are relentless. Even the best Heads Up players in the world will frequently experience ten and twenty buy in downswings. You should have tough skin if you plan on making Heads Up your main game as it is extremely swingy.
Full Ring Games – Bankrolls and Win Rates
Full Ring games are the popular choice of the casual player. It is most easy for new and veteran players alike to generate a profit when sticking to Full Ring games. The ease of the games has brought quite a bit of sharks to the tables, however, so you should not be expecting to maintain a great win rate. Profits are not hard to come by at full ring games but large profits are. It is easier to play many tables at once when playing Full Ring as there are more players for the action to pass through. If you are a new player looking for the easiest route to profitability, Full Ring game would be the winner. Full Ring players should adhere to roughly the same bankroll guidelines as 6-Max players; 20-40 buy ins depending upon your stakes and your skill level.