Limit vs Big Bet Hold’em

Titan Poker is one of the absolutely best poker sites

Note that US players can not play here.
AdvertRead more »

Texas Hold’Em can be played with betting limits, or with no restrictions whatsoever. But Hold’em is Hold’em, right? Surely a good poker player can win whether the game is Fixed Limit, Pot Limit or No Limit? Although the rules of the game remain the same, there are subtle differences between Limit and “Big Bet” Hold’em. If a poker player can grasp these subtleties, there is no reason why he or she can’t succeed at all varieties of Hold’em.

Betting: The most obvious difference is the limit on the size of your maximum bet. You may be able to bet the flop with air in No Limit Hold’em and win, but if your opponent knows it is only going to cost one more bet to call, they are more likely to stay in and try and pick up a cheap draw. Players will call pre-flop with a wider range and it is harder to thin the field when holding a premium poker hand, leading to more frequent outdraws.

Hand Selection: As touched on above, hand selection varies with the type of table limit. Players are more inclined to take flops with drawing hands, knowing that they can’t be bullied out of a pot. In No Limit Hold’em, it is a fairly common sight to see all but the most premium of hands folded, but in Fixed Limit, it is much safer to limp in mid-position with suited connectors, for example. Limping in earlier positions improves the pot odds for those in later positions, generating further action.

Position: Arguably more important than the cards being held in any form of poker, playing position is essentially the same in both Limit and Big Bet Hold’em, but the extremes are magnified. A raise in early position is a far greater show of strength when the table sees how you are attempting to come through every player, to try and win a small pot. Raising for information is a more valuable strategy in Limit Hold’em and those is later positions are better placed to take advantage.

Because of these subtleties, poker players with good hand reading skills, that are able to play well post-flop and that possess a good knowledge of pot odds, will tend to excel at Limit Hold’em. Big Bet Hold’em places greater emphasis on courage and psychology.

It is a fact that some poker players are terrific at No Limit, but awful at Fixed Limit and the reverse also holds true. If you like to mix up the games you take part in, it is essential that you keep good records, to allow you to discover your own strengths and weaknesses. Playing the type of limit in which you perform best will help your bankroll in the long term.

Poker Tips

Basic Omaha Eight Or Better Strategy
12:e August 2010 - If you are looking to beat Omaha Eight or Better (also known as Omaha...
Live Poker Tells
6:e July 2010 - A key to winning at live poker in the long term is observation. It...
From Online To Live Poker
20:e June 2010 - Thanks to online poker, it is not unusual to encounter players at...
Big Stack Strategy
16:e June 2010 - Playing the big stack in a poker tournament can be great fun, but...
Leveraging Bets in No Limit Hold’em
21:e May 2010 - Bet leveraging is a technique used by many of the top poker professionals...
Obtaining the Best Finish in a Tournament
15:e May 2010 - If you are a player who regularly – let's say one in five times...
Playing The Turn Card
12:e May 2010 - The flop is the most important part of a No Limit Hold’em poker...
Varying Your Value Bets
9:e May 2010 - Most successful poker players understand the importance of betting...

Related Articles

Everest Poker Review
Review of Everest Poker. We look at the games, bonuses, points, software, deposit and withdrawal options available at Everest Poker
Entraction Poker Network
A review of the Entraction poker network, it's pros and cons, poker games offered and what poker rooms are using Entraction.
Great Moments in WSOP History 2
Any poker fan worth their salt will be aware of the 1998 film “Rounders”, starring...
Microgaming Poker Network
A review of the popular Microgaming poker network, one of the larger European networks for online poker.
Great Moments in WSOP History 1
Some great moments in the history of the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Part 1.
World Series of Poker (WSOP)
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the most prestigious live poker tournament in the world.
Poker Tournaments
Reviews and lists of the best live and online poker tournaments
BOSS/International Poker Network
A review of the BOSS/International Poker Network (IPN) - a large European network with good bonuses and a wide range of tournaments.

Submit a Comment

Log on to write comments



Rushmore Online Casino - Get $888 Free Bonus