Texas Hold ‘em Limits

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Introduction.

Knowing how to play the world’s favorite game of poker – Texas Hold ‘em – requires more than just the knowledge of Texas Hold ‘em rules and winning hands. You also need to know what the betting limits are for it – Limit, Pot-Limit and No-Limit – and which of those betting limits might best suit you.

Limit Hold ‘em.

This form of Texas Hold ’em betting is the one advised for rookie players or anyone playing on a restricted budget. The reason for that is quite simple in that you’ll know what the minimum and maximum bets to be placed will be. In other words all of the bets are restricted to certain amounts throughout game and that there will usually be a limit to the number of raises that are allowed in any one betting round. Walk into pretty well any casino or sit down at an online poker game and it’ll be a Limit game in progress, this is true for a casino in your local town or one of the super-casinos in Las Vegas. Of course along with the strict betting limits in a poker game will come a limited pot to be won. However, for players more interested in learning how to win at poker, rather than scooping that big pot, then limited bets that protect your bankroll from being smashed in a single hand – is surely a good compromise. Unfortunately more experienced poker players can quickly become bored with Limit poker games and seek something with a bit more action in it. Part of the reason for that is because Limit games, as mentioned above, inevitably attract rookie poker players and so the whole pace of the poker game can be slow. If you are a more experienced poker player but find yourself in a Limit game – do show a bit of patience and stay in the game for a few hands. The rookies will be able to learn from you and remember – you too were once in their position.

Think we can see her poker limit?

Pot-Limit Hold ‘em.

No prizes for guessing here that in a Pot-Limit game the size of any single bet, or raise, is restricted to the size of the pot at the moment that the bet is to be made. As there is no limit to how much can be in the pot and given the size that pots can get up to these days – there’s little to distinguish a Pot-Limit game from a No-Limit one these days. However, the factor that distinguishes a Pot-Limit poker game is that the early betting will usually have relatively low stakes and so, at least up until the Flop most players will be quite comfortable making bets. Players that are skilful at judging how well other player’s faired at the Flop can do well in Pot-Limit games. Such players can make cheap bets early on and are then able to judge if it’s worth the risk to carry on in the expectation of a big pot win. Pot-Limit is currently losing popularity in US casinos, due to the way it is merging with No-Limit games. However, European casinos and online poker games still offer Pot-Limit games.

He really ought to limit that pot!

No-Limit Hold ‘em.

Favored by high-rollers and professionals at any poker table No-Limit poker is not for the feint hearted or anyone on a restricted bankroll. Once the blinds have been made there is no limit to the size of a bet or raise. A No-Limit poker game will have a minimum permitted bet – but don’t expect that to last very long as the betting stake. Even with a small stack and rising stakes you could make a killing by going all-in at the right time in a No-Limit game. The net result of playing No-Limit poker is that in one hand you could multiply what you’re holding several times over – or alternatively lose the lot! If you feel you’re ready to play in a casino or online poker tournament, be prepared to play No-Limit poker. Playing tournament poker is completely different to your regular cash games and being No-Limit makes it even more difficult to adjust your playing style. If you don’t want to lose all your bankroll in the first half-hour in a No-Limit tournament make sure you don’t play over aggressively if that’s out of character for you. Its all too easy to become impatient and get carried away in No-Limit games, but that’ll just leave you a sitting duck for the old hands.