How much looser do you get when going from 9-max to a 6-max table?

[punctual]

I've played a lot of 9-max games. I have read that 6-max games are preferable for the professional poker player because premium hands tend to stick (i.e. less suckouts happen in 6 handed games versus 9 handed games). So your good hands hold up more often in 6-max play. But this also implies that your medium strength hands become stronger as well.

So i was just wondering how much looser you play when playing 6-max versus 9-max. I know that at the enthusiast/professional level strategy is dynamic and so the decision one makes in a hand can be swayed by a number of factors (i.e. there exists no generic blueprint for what cards to play). But, as a rule would you say you play 10% more hands from each position in a 6-max game versus a 9-max game? 20% more? 30% more?

So when seats in a tourney decrease by 33%, how does this affect the range of hands you play from each position.

 

[floweryhead]

I don't have specific guidelines for these 6-max games but if you rail some of these games for a while and watch people appear to be playing like maniacs. I play the limit holdem 6 max cash games and I'm currently winning there but the variance is high. I tend to play paints plus with a fit or fold mentality. I've a couple of books on the subject but haven't got around to studying them as of yet. The one I have for no limit is John Vorhaus's book. It may be worth a read to you as his books are generally good

 

[punctual]

I don't have specific guidelines for these 6-max games but if you rail some of these games for a while and watch people appear to be playing like maniacs. I play the limit holdem 6 max cash games and I'm currently winning there but the variance is high. I tend to play paints plus with a fit or fold mentality. I've a couple of books on the subject but haven't got around to studying them as of yet. The one I have for no limit is John Vorhaus's book. It may be worth a read to you as his books are generally good

Thanks for the book recommendation. Are you referring to "Decide to Play Great Poker" by Vorhaus & Duke?

 

[Propane Goat]

How I've approached this is that when you go from 9-max to 6-max, the earliest position at the table becomes the equivalent of MP and the range of hands you play opens up accordingly. I don't have specific percentages on what I've been doing, but I do play quite a bit more aggressively 6-handed depending on the table dynamic.

If you pick up a hand like A5 UTG in 6-handed play, this is certainly stronger than A5 UTG 9-handed because when you're 6-handed the likelihood that someone has a better Ace is less.

 

[cotta777]

The way I see it theirs an extra 3 spots to think about in 9-max
the same concept applies in both games but your more likely to face a heads up situation
post flop which is ideal for good post flop players because the luck element
is obviously minimal.
I don't like getting involved in multiway pots 2 opponents max is desirable for me
it becomes to fishy and more lost investment at times because the variance is wider.

It's totally dependant on the players range at the table in 6 max
a solid range with a firm TAG strategy and good observation will be enough
to do you justice in 6-max

If you get really card dead your TAG image will pave way for you to make some moves if you need too so you always have that in your locker if things aren't going your way, a few squeezes and a few pots should be easilly winnable before showdown

 

[youregoodmate]

Less suck outs happen in 6 max?

Lol what?

 

[RaizeR1205]

Less suck outs happen in 6 max?

Lol what?

+1

 

[deluns28]

You don't need to be super loose. Just play speculative hands often and open raise from late position if you will play a hand.

You have to be good at postflop play using positions to get value or bluff your opponents.

 

[gqr31ff]

on the table 6 max game is interesting, can be expressed professionally. 6 max for me preferable

 

[XXPXXP]

Do not limited yourself into any PRESET RANGES.
play universal equity range.
based on the data collected.

And do not limited loose, tight style, just limited your self to a profit range.

GL

 

[punctual]

Less suck outs happen in 6 max?

Lol what?

This could just be based on my own experience playing around 150,000 hands of tournament play but it would appear that my premium hands tend to hold up more often in 6-max play. Suckouts still happen but , at least in my experience (which I admit is pretty limited), less often than the do in 9-max games. Just seems that way to me. I'm not sure what could be said from a mathematical standpoint: i'd have to look into that.

 

[punctual]

Do not limited yourself into any PRESET RANGES.
play universal Equity range.
based on the data collected.

And do not limited loose, tight style, just limited your self to a profit range.

GL

I never do limit myself to preset ranges based on position; that was something i did in like the very beginning of my poker studies; safe to say, only true noobs would operate in that way

 

[Poker Orifice]

I have read that 6-max games are preferable for the professional poker player because premium hands tend to stick (i.e. less suckouts happen in 6 handed games versus 9 handed games). .

I'm wondering which professionals say that this is why they prefer 6max tables? (or where you read this)

 

[DrHorrible]

I prefer 6-max to 9-max because you spend less time out of position in a 6-max.

That is literally the ONLY reason.