There are tremendous urges with all poker players to move up in levels at some stage. I think that this tends to be because of a combination of factors. It is usually to do with wanting to test themselves at a higher level and in bigger poker games and wanting to earn more. With many players of course then we also have the ego factor as some player types do not want to play below certain levels.

At the middle stakes and high-stakes levels then egotism gets punished severely but in this article I want to discuss how moving up in levels should be considered a serious step for most players. The fact of the matter is that better players will frequent higher levels and better players make better poker decisions.

When players make better decisions then you are the one who suffers. This is why it is absolute folly to suggest that any player would fare better at a higher level than the one that they were currently at if they were losing at the lower level. I have heard this so many times from so many players about playing higher because the players at these levels were playing “poker” and that they could fit in better with this type of poker game.

This is utter nonsense, the players at the lower levels will be making basic errors for basic reasons and any half decent poker player should be able to identify what they are and then take advantage of them. If you cannot then you have a serious problem in identifying relevant game criteria that you need to exploit in order to force a profit.

If you are using strict money management principles and are really treating your poker progression very seriously then moving up a level is a serious step. You will already be earning at the lower level and earning very well. If you are not then you shouldn’t be considering moving up. Some levels are no different to others, for instance a player who can beat $5 no-limit really well should have no problem in $10 games.

Usually players tend to improve substantially once you reach the NL50 level. This level does tend to be a dividing line as players know that at these levels then a decent hourly rate can be achieved by good sound and solid play. There are many dangers associated with playing at a new level and you need to know that you can succeed at this level before you jump in fully.

Therefore it would be a mistake for instance to be a successful NL25 player and then jump in to a NL50 online poker game with your entire bankroll and play down to the felt. It is better to feel your way at the level because for all you know, your own individual cut-off point regarding the games that you can beat may just fall between NL25 and NL50.

If you do not know where that cut-off point is then what you are doing is gambling that you will succeed at the higher level and if you keep on doing that then sooner or later you are going to lose your entire bankroll.

Carl “The Dean” Sampson

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