high risk / big $$ vs low risk / steady $$

Just the other day I decided to play some (*gasp*) limit at Tilt. I played the lowest limit (.25 / .50), and expected to see the loose type play I'm used to at $3/$6 at the local casinos, where ATC seems to be the mantra. Well, how wrong I was! 90% of the players were weak-tight, or loose maniacs playing every hand trying to muscle out the opponents with nothing. It almost seemed like these players didn't really even understand the game much!

My first experience was Sunday night - I played for about 20 minutes before going to bed, and doubled my $8 buy in. I had insomnia, so from about 3:30am - 4:30 am I sat at a full speed table, and pushed my $10 buy in to $35; total profit: $33.

Last night, I experimented with two tables, for about 1.5 hours. Table one: From $10 to $21; table two: from $10 to $19; total profit: $20

Tonight, I just got done with an approximately 60 minute session, where I had 3 tables for 50 minutes, 2 tables for 5, and just 1 for about 5. Table one: from $8 to $21. Table 2: from $8 to $13. Table 3: from $8 to $19; total profit: $29.

SO: approx 3.5-4 hours, profit: $82 (approx. $20/hr)

This showed me a few things:
1. The players at these limits SUCK
2. I'm actually a good limit player (and yes, there is more to limit than just catching cards!)
3. Watching what the players would be raising / betting with on the flop made me realize that the players at the NL tables are betting / raising with similar stuff (often weaker holdings than I fear they have)
4. I enjoy limit
5. I am quite comfortable playing limit

Yes, you can make a much bigger profit playing $1/$2 NL than $4 / $8 limit; and I'm FAR from turning my back on NL, but playing limit can bring a steady profit, with less risk (and, thus, smaller reward). While I'm SO looking forward to NL in Vegas, I will most likely be hitting a limit table here and there for some lower-stress fun.

Couple things I need to take from my limit play to the NL table: being comfortable to raise with more marginal hands (like my new favorite category of hands, the suited-gapper), especially in position. I am comfortable playing more aggressively at limit than I am at NL. NL I'd categorize my cash-game as moderately-weak tight (and my tourny play just a little bit less weak); limit I'd categorize it as semi-tight-aggressive. I need to bring that same categorization over to the NL side.

Tomorrow, I move up to $0.50 / $1 and see how the competition is; if it's anywhere near as poor as the low limit, I'll be STOKED!