Post by Randy C on Jul 14, 2007 12:16:29 GMT -4
The recent popularity of Texas Hold Em over the past 10 years has directly effected the games played and the style and strategies involved in playing. The game of No Limit Hold Em vs. Limit is as wide as the Pacific Ocean. While some of the variances of the game are the same and/or similar, the strategy or strategies involved are quite different.
First, in NLH pre flop betting is VERY important while it is not so in limit. Limit hold em is a game where you are trying to get the MOST value from your hand as possible and see a larger return as the hand progresses. Limit is (for a lack of a better word) "safer". The reason this is so is because your bets are limited to a specified amount, and bluffing is virtually impossible.
Knowing the odds and outs in limit is essential, and if you don't know them, then you should steer clear from limit hold em altogether because that is 75% of the strategy.
Let me give you an example:
Let's say you are dealt AKs from middle position. This is a great hand and a raise would be the correct play here...even a reraise if a player had already raised in front of you.
Now, the flop comes and it reads: Kd, Ts and 2s. Well you have a very good hand here because you have the top pair with top kicker and a flush draw. Let's count the outs first. There are 2 remaining K's, 4 Aces, and 9 spades. That's 15 outs, right? Okay...
15 times 2 plus 2 = 32. You have a 32 percent chance of improving your hand, including the nut flush. The blinds are $25/50, and you have $2500 in chips. There is $200 in the pot and the SB and BB are both in the hand, they have limped in making the pot $300, a player in early position raises to $100 making the pot $400 it will cost you $100 to call...That's 25% of the pot or 1:4, right. Your odds of improving are 32% or 1:3. The cost of you calling is justified because you are getting a better return on your money and is consequently a good value.
Knowing pot odds and outs are extremely important in limit hold em, in fact, it is probably the best tool you will have in limit hold em.
Another factor to remember in limit hold em is that the game is much looser than No Limit. Limit is not an aggressive game. It is a strategy game, and the sooner you see it for what it is, the sooner you will make $ from playing it. Now, it is important to note that in limit it is hard to narrow the field. Rarely will you be able to make a bet that will scare off your opponents, so if you enter a pot, it better be worth your while.
Bluffing is almost non-existent in limit. You will find it easier to use your head, rather than try to intimidate, because it just won't work. Often times you will see a multitude of raises and reraises as many as 3 times. If your hand warrants the call, then by all means, go for what you know.
I like to give my opponents a different look from time to time. It is considered proper to take a hand to the river that is garbage, and then show, just to induce callers in later rounds when you actually HAVE a hand.
Limit is not particularly "riveting" ... So, don't expect fireworks. The game of limit is, for all intents and purposes a "grind". Limit hold em is a GREAT way to learn the value of betting and strategy and if you are new to hold em, limit is really the BEST place to start.
Good Luck!
All In,
Randy C~
First, in NLH pre flop betting is VERY important while it is not so in limit. Limit hold em is a game where you are trying to get the MOST value from your hand as possible and see a larger return as the hand progresses. Limit is (for a lack of a better word) "safer". The reason this is so is because your bets are limited to a specified amount, and bluffing is virtually impossible.
Knowing the odds and outs in limit is essential, and if you don't know them, then you should steer clear from limit hold em altogether because that is 75% of the strategy.
Let me give you an example:
Let's say you are dealt AKs from middle position. This is a great hand and a raise would be the correct play here...even a reraise if a player had already raised in front of you.
Now, the flop comes and it reads: Kd, Ts and 2s. Well you have a very good hand here because you have the top pair with top kicker and a flush draw. Let's count the outs first. There are 2 remaining K's, 4 Aces, and 9 spades. That's 15 outs, right? Okay...
15 times 2 plus 2 = 32. You have a 32 percent chance of improving your hand, including the nut flush. The blinds are $25/50, and you have $2500 in chips. There is $200 in the pot and the SB and BB are both in the hand, they have limped in making the pot $300, a player in early position raises to $100 making the pot $400 it will cost you $100 to call...That's 25% of the pot or 1:4, right. Your odds of improving are 32% or 1:3. The cost of you calling is justified because you are getting a better return on your money and is consequently a good value.
Knowing pot odds and outs are extremely important in limit hold em, in fact, it is probably the best tool you will have in limit hold em.
Another factor to remember in limit hold em is that the game is much looser than No Limit. Limit is not an aggressive game. It is a strategy game, and the sooner you see it for what it is, the sooner you will make $ from playing it. Now, it is important to note that in limit it is hard to narrow the field. Rarely will you be able to make a bet that will scare off your opponents, so if you enter a pot, it better be worth your while.
Bluffing is almost non-existent in limit. You will find it easier to use your head, rather than try to intimidate, because it just won't work. Often times you will see a multitude of raises and reraises as many as 3 times. If your hand warrants the call, then by all means, go for what you know.
I like to give my opponents a different look from time to time. It is considered proper to take a hand to the river that is garbage, and then show, just to induce callers in later rounds when you actually HAVE a hand.
Limit is not particularly "riveting" ... So, don't expect fireworks. The game of limit is, for all intents and purposes a "grind". Limit hold em is a GREAT way to learn the value of betting and strategy and if you are new to hold em, limit is really the BEST place to start.
Good Luck!
All In,
Randy C~
