Limit vs No Limit Texas Hold'em

In Limit Texas Hold'em poker there is a set amount that can be bet and raised on each round of play. For example, on a 3/6 limit game, you can bet and raise by 3 before the flop and on the flop, and bet and raise by 6 on the turn and river. Usually there is a 4 bet cap on each round if there are more than two players in the pot. If it is heads up, there is no limit in many casinos.

No Limit Texas Hold'em poker is as described. There is absolutely no limit to the amount that you can bet on each round. Actually there is, the limit is the amount of chips you have in front of you. If you raise you are required to raise at least double the initial bet. Both Limit and No limit poker are very popular.

It seems that mostly older people play Limit Hold'em poker while all the young guns choose no limit. Don't let this fool you, however. There are many professional poker players who make their livings playing Limit. Many limit poker players don't like to deal with the massive swings involved with No Limit poker.

Limit Cash Games

Many professional limit poker players will say they would rather not deal with the massive swings involved with no limit Hold'em. Limit Hold'em is a steady grind, and there is actually a lot of strategy involved in limit if you sit and down and play with experienced players. While the amount of the bet is no longer up for discussion as it is in no limit, there is still much to be said about when to bet, raise, reraise, and so on.

In limit Texas Hold'em you will see many more cards, and the river will be reached much more often. For this reason the game is much more of a drawing poker game. Making sure that you have proper pot odds and making the most out of every hand is absolutely critical in Limit Hold'em. The more you look back and realize you should have made a raise or a bet means more money left behind. And this is the main reason Limit poker takes more practice than most people think.

When I first started out playing Texas Hold'em poker I started playing 3/6 Limit. It gave me a good grasp on pot odds and the overall poker game in general.

No Limit Cash Games

No Limit Texas Hold'em poker is by far on of the most exciting forms of poker, and can make you the most money in the least amount of time. No limit Hold'em will give you much greater win and loss streaks and at times you will feel as if you have no control over your bankroll. No limit Hold'em also takes your skill of reading players and puts it to the test.

Many professional poker players will say that it is easier to exploit the new players, or "fish" and make money more easily. This is very true, and it all depends on WHEN and WHERE you play poker. No limit texas Hold'em is growing rapidly in popularity and there is surely a lot of money to be made in this area if you learn your stuff and play well.

Tournaments

In tournament play No Limit Texas Hold'em poker is by far the most popular form of poker play. This is because in a tournament setting there are time constraints and your goal is not to run out of chips. Your end goal is to accumulate all of the chips in the room, and for this reason No Limit is the best choice for tournaments.

Limit Hold'em tournaments seem to take much longer, and even these tournaments will turn into a No limit format at some point in time.

Which Should You Play?

Choosing between Limit and No Limit texas Hold'em is purely out of preference. If you prefer the safer more conservative approach to poker, and your goal is to slowly grind out a consistent profit, then try out Limit Hold'em. If you don't mind large swings in your bankroll and prefer a more exciting and intense game of poker, then try No Limit.