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Where to play micro stakes poker online in 2024
Microstakes are the first step in a poker career: the cheapest tables to test your skills, learn the basics, get familiar with the online poker environment, etc. It is here where beginners start their paths, usually with small deposits and big dreams, grinding their way across higher stakes and boosting their bankrolls.
When choosing a poker site for microstakes, newcomers should do so with extreme caution. A well-chosen room is essential for climbing the stakes and starting a profitable poker career.
Best small stakes poker sites
United States is acceptedBitcoins accepted
If you just need to register right now in the best microstakes online poker room, just check out the following summary and hit the right button. Why are these sites considered the best of their kind? Keep reading further to find out why.
| Poker site | Lowest stake | Welcome bonus | Rakeback |
|---|---|---|---|
| GGPoker | NL2/PLO2 | 100% up to $600 or $100 in free money | Up to 65% |
| PokerKing | NL2/PLO2 | 100% up to $2,000 | Up to 65% |
| 888 Poker | NL2/PLO2 | 100% up to $1,000. No deposit bonus | Missions, random prizes |
| Redstar | NL2/PLO4* | 200% up to $2,000 | Up to 35% |
GGPoker
GGPoker is a skin of the Asian network GGNetwork. In terms of traffic, it has currently surpassed PokerStars. The network's primary goal is to recruit recreational players. Regulars will be fine as long as they don’t breach any rule. At the tables, there are a lot of amateurs from Asian countries. Their style of play is unusual, as it is both relaxed and aggressive. There is no such thing as peak hours in this client. During the day, most of the participants are from Asian countries, but in the evening, Europe dominates.
888Poker
888 Poker is one of the most established and dependable poker rooms. They dislike regulars, yet there are no cases of bans without a reason. 888poker holds a variety of promos to entice amateur gamers! Actually, the field is mostly made up of casuals, which more than makes up for the relatively large rake and the almost total absence of rakeback. It has good traffic. The room is always among the top 10 most popular poker clients. At micro stakes, there is a lot of action. The peak hour is in the evening GMT since the majority of the players at the tables are amateurs from European nations.
Unibet
Unibet Poker is one of the world's largest independent poker site. Everything here is done to make amateur players as comfortable as possible! Regulars will be disappointed by the lack of HUD and table-select. They will, nevertheless, be delighted with the lowest rake at micro stakes in the whole online poker business!
What are the criteria for choosing poker sites for micro stakes
There is no such thing as "field softness" up to and including the NL10 stake. The micro-stakes field is the same in the best poker sites. And you'll have to compete not only with other regulars but also with a large micro-stake rake! The most essential thing for you to do here is to get out of this "swamp" as fast as possible.
So, first and foremost, you should pay attention to the rake and rakeback levels. The lower the rake, the better. The higher the rakeback, the better. Preference should be given to poker sites with a fixed rakeback. Loyalty programs that require you to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to reach certain monthly and yearly levels and to continuously hold them are not the greatest alternative.
Don't underestimate the importance of table selection, even when the stakes are minimal! You should choose rooms with such technical capabilities. Try to sit in the best place concerning “fish.” Your win rate will improve as a result. The madman on the right can skyrocket your earnings every session!
HUD support is excellent when it’s available. However, as the practice has shown, making money without using a HUD is possible. The key is to take notes and use color tags.
Don't climb stakes before mastering the lower ones; buy-ins are not the only indicator to play higher. Stick to conservative bankroll management: remember you are learning, and mistakes are paid with money.
Last but not least, you are likely not a pro if you play at micro stakes. Perhaps you combine poker with your job or school, play solely in your spare time, and are unwilling to grind at night. In this case, select online poker rooms with high traffic for most of the day.
Micro stakes definition
We call micro stakes the poker games with the lowest bets available. Usually, the blinds start from as little as $0.01/$0.02 (penny tables) up to maybe $0.10/$0.25. About tournaments, the action starts from freerolls (free tournaments with small prizes added to the pool) to buy-ins from as little as $0.11 to $1. There are also many "centrolls" or satellites with low entries with tickets for higher events.
| Game | Bets / Buy-in | Room |
|---|---|---|
| NL2 | $0.01/$0.02 | GGPoker, PokerKing, 888Poker, RedStar |
| NL5 | $0.02/$0.05 | GGPoker, PokerKing, 888Poker, RedStar |
| NL10 | $0.05/$0.10 | GGPoker, PokerKing, 888Poker, RedStar |
| NL25 | $0.10/$0.25 | GGPoker, PokerKing, 888Poker, RedStar |
| Flip & Go | $0.05 | GGPoker |
| $500 GTD, PKO | $1 | GGPoker, PokerKing |
| Spin&Go | $0.25 | GGPoker |
| Spin&Go | $1 | GGPoker |
| Freeroll | $0 | PokerKing |
| $40 GTD | $0.11 | PokerKing |
| PKO $100 GTD | $0.27 | PokerKing |
| 18, 27 player SnG | $0.55 | PokerKing |
TOP 8 tips on micro-limit strategy
The main advice is to keep learning! You won't get rich playing microstakes, and most players just use it to grow their bankroll and refine their strategy. Play, study, and get better. That's the only path to success.
Be simpler.
Microlimits are a place with many random players who just meet poker rules. Therefore, using “fancy” game techniques from high stakes against them is unnecessary. Just play straightforward without bluffing.
Win the maximum amount.
Don't be afraid to be predictable. Bet a lot with strong hands. Almost everyone who plays at low stakes does not know how to let go of a mediocre hand. For example, a set is a solid and unreadable hand; most microstakers do not know how to fold their one-pair hands.
Don't pay tight players.
Players with low VPIP only play strong hands. Try to identify them at the table as early as possible. The money saved is almost the same as the money won.
Identify weak players (fishes).
Fish are the primary source of income across all stakes.
Position is crucial.
Sit to the left of the weak players. It is this position that will allow you to manage the pot size.
Expand the 3-bet range preflop from late positions.
Add more hands to your range A5, JT, 87, for example, to immediately win from wide-opening players or get a promising hand on the post-flop in case of an opponent's call.
Bankroll management.
In addition to the standard strategies for all poker players (studying the game and developing psychological stability), betting the right amount is crucial to keep playing in the long term.
Don't slowplay.
Strong hands should be bet as much as possible, so the pot should be boasted immediately. Never hide powerful hands; you can be hunted.
Conclusion
Each of the aforementioned poker sites has high traffic and is suited for the role of the main room for playing. Unibet offers the lowest rake, GGPoker has a lot of action at all times, and 888poker will be a choice for regulars who aren't ready to play without a HUD.
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