Playing tight is more optimal for a beginner because it makes it more difficult for him to make mistakes later on. If you have a lot of equity, the only mistake you can make is to make a + EV play rather than a max EV play. If you are playing against weak opponents and don't have much experience yourself, playing tighter is the way to go. Against more experienced players, you'd have to loosen up. But then again, if you're a beginner, there is no point in playing against experienced players.

I agree, prob the best way to go if you're just starting out. Then slowly loosen up once you master the tight style and learned the basic stuff.

that translates to 14/12 in FR I believe

Don't get caught up in specific numbers. You'll find yourself tailoring your game to fit in with what a "suitable stat" for yourself is. Just focus on general, good habits for a beginner to get into. Eg: Not playing with marginal holdings out of position, 3 betting with a plan if he 4 bets etc.

I learnt the basics without a hud. I think some use it as a crutch to lean against, and are crippled without it. So I suggest that you don't use one for a a fair while, and learn the fundamentals of the game as they were meant to, without one. When you have the basics down pat, then use one. I think of it more as a tool to help me make decisions, not make them for me.

I agree with the stats thing. I don't know what a reasonable VPIP/PFR would be for a beginner; I guess you should just figure it out as you go. It also depends on what kind of player you are and how aggressive you wanna be/ what kind of action and situations you are comfortable in.

In my opinion you should be playing around 19/14 to really maximize your earnings at the microstakes.  They play such an exploitable style though that sometimes you need to be getting in the pot prefix cheap if you can bc you know the fish will stack off light if you get a good enough flop.  This takes a very large amount of discipline though to not go nuts and be careful post flop unless you really flip huge.   

But in general till you get up to the higher stakes you shouldn't need to worry about your balance all that much.   Just play the most exploitative game you can and adjust to the regs at your table.  

I've been working very hard on my prefix play over the last few months and can say for certain it helps with your post flop decisions bc you just don't get yourself in those really horrible spots as much. Like for example when u flop middle pair on a K84ss board and you have to make a decision on the turn is he betting a draw and your ahead or are you already beat.  With a hand like TP there you have a much easier decision moving forward in the hand.  

This is just my opinions from my play on an anonymous site where there are no reads really and you need to try and find a way to exploit these players as a whole at the micro and small stakes.  They won't know from session to session who you are so it will be impossible for them to know your playing in this style.  

Hope this helps.

Wade

It's easier to win post-flop when your ranges are inherently stronger, but you have to, because you've given up on a lot of pre-flop spots to win money.
Also, Villian will give you more respect, so it's harder to win big pots.

I'd take advantage of players overfolding blinds and calling down lightly with weak hands.