Casino & Gambling Information

Why No-Limit Poker is Better Than Limit


If you are a tight-aggressive player, you need to consider playing No-Limit Hold 'em if you aren't already. With proper play, not only can you expect to increase your hourly win rate, but you can make it much more difficult for your opponents to draw out on you.

First of all, let's explain the fundamental differences between Limit and No-Limit. In Limit Hold 'em, you can only raise the amount of the big blind and most cardrooms and online poker rooms will cap the betting at 3 raises. In No-Limit Hold 'em, the only betting rule is that the minimum be at least the size of the big blind. You can bet your whole stack if you want to.

Sure, it takes more knowledge, experience, and courage to play No-Limit (NL) well, but it will pay off for you if you play it right.

To get you started, the standard raise in NL is 3-4 times the big blind. After the flop, a good bet to make when you have a strong hand is about the size of the pot. If you're looking for information on the flop, you might consider a bet of 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the pot. You also might consider making only a small bet if you're holding a monster hand and want to get called. Or you could always check-raise in that situation. Also be aware that the value of drawing hands that play well in limit games like K-J suited goes way down in NL play. Better hands to have are big pocket pairs or suited connectors.

So, why is it better to play NL? Simple: It's much easier to make a lot more money. Playing NL, you can afford to play only your strong hands. For example, in a two hour poker session you can play only one good hand and still make good money. You can more than double your stack on any given hand. In Limit poker, you have to constantly be winning pots to come out ahead. The blinds come around too quickly to sit on your hands. You have to work hard, play for a long time, and play your best game at all times to make good money at Limit poker.

Think about this: Most good poker authors will tell you that a good Limit player can expect to make about one big blind per hour. So, in other words, you can expect to make $10 an hour at a Limit $5/10 game if you play it right. On the other hand, if you buy-in for $500 at a $5/10 NL game, go all-in on your first hand with pocket Aces, get called by one opponent with pocket Kings and he doesn't improve, you've just won another $500 without breaking a sweat. That's an average of 50 hours of Limit gameplay.

Also, you can make your drawing opponents always go against the odds. In NL, you control the pot odds that your opponent is getting. If you see two suited or connecting cards on the board, betting the size of the pot into one opponent will make them go against the odds to draw. Sure, they're still going to hit their draws occasionally, but at least you made it a bad play for them to do so.

It takes the right personality to play at NL games. You can't be timid, and you have to know how much to bet at the right times. If you can't do that, then stick to Limit poker for now and come back to try NL if and when the time is right.

As a Limit player who converted to NL, I can tell you that it isn't too difficult to adapt your game. I can also tell you that after I learned to play NL, I never sat down at another Limit table. You can also tell you that after I learned to play NL, I never sat down at another Limit table.

Joshua Heilpern is a contributor for several poker strategy websites. He also runs Beat The Fish - http://www.beatthefish.com - an original poker strategy and review site.


MORE RESOURCES:

Boston Globe

Casino showdown goes to the wire
Boston Globe
In the end, after years of growing momentum and weeks of tense negotiations, those two missing votes may well spell the demise of casino gambling in ...
Mass. House Approves Casino Gambling BillCBS News
Mass. legislative leaders OK deal on casino billThe Associated Press
State legislature set for casino voteWWLP 22News
Examiner.com -MyFOXMaine.com -Attleboro Sun Chronicle
all 617 news articles »


Boston Herald (blog)

Countdown on for casino gambling bill in Mass.
NECN
(NECN: John Moroney: Boston, Mass) - The countdown is on for a casino gambling bill in Massachusetts. Just one week left for legislators to hammer out their ...
Mass. gov says compromise possible on gamblingBusinessWeek
Mass. lawmakers gear up for busy end of sessionBoston Herald
Patrick returns from war zone, defends visitBoston Globe
Bostonist
all 127 news articles »


The Economist (blog)

Businessman Trump Likes US Model Of Regulated Online Gambling
Casino Gambling Web
Donald Trump has a storied history in two areas, business, and casino gambling. Representative Barney Frank is attempting to bring the two together in the ...
Internet Gaming Expansion - Where Do We Go From Here?BloodHorse (blog)
Legal online gambling in the United States still far awayOnline Gambling Paper
Frank's Online Gambling Bill Passes House Finance CommitteeCasino Gambling Web

all 221 news articles »


Panel named to craft final Mass. casino bill
BusinessWeek
Five members of the House and Senate committee named Tuesday back casino gambling. One member, Republican Richard Ross of Wrentham, voted against the bill ...
MA casino bill marches on95.5 WBRU News
Dempsey, other lawmakers work on casino bill behind closed doorsEagle Tribune
Clock ticks on slotsAttleboro Sun Chronicle
Martha's Vineyard Times -Fenway News Online (blog) -Behavioral Health Central (blog)
all 487 news articles »


NY gets $5.5 million for energy-related research projects; Nassau pursues ...
Examiner.com
Instead, Nassau and Suffolk are courting the Shinnecock Indian tribe, which recently earned federal standing after a 30-year battle, to open casino gambling ...

and more »


IGOU: Casinos aren't the answer
Wakefield Observer
Currently our state legislature and Governor are embroiled in debate about the best way to bring Casino gambling to ...



Gambling brings billions of dollars to state
Evening News and Tribune
2, behind Pennsylvania, in taxes collected from casino gambling. That's been good news for local and state governments that have used the money to replace ...



Healthcare, casino gambling petitions come up short
The Detroit News
Groups aiming to expand casino gambling in Michigan also didn't gather enough voter signatures to make the ballot. That means there will be only two ...
Gambling Proposals Fail To Reach Ballot In MichiganCasino Gambling Web
Gambling, health care miss deadlineFOX Toledo Online
Health care and casino petitions fail to collect enough signatures to appear ...Crain's Detroit Business

all 118 news articles »


Casino gambling: What other states are doing, and not doing
The Patriot Ledger
IOWA - No: Bids to expand casino gambling to four locations, legalize sports betting at racinos and casinos, and to end greyhound racing all failed. ...

and more »


First Casino Gambling, Now Ohio Governor Pushing For Slots
Casino Gambling Web
"What we are seeing in Ohio is something that takes place in almost every state where casino gambling is legalized," said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz. ...
Slot machines for race tracks in Ohio could become realityYoungstown Vindicator
Court asked to spell out Strickland's authority on slotsToledo Blade

all 73 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006