No Limit Poker has become increasingly popular, not only for its exciting popularity but the large pots that are offered in the various No Limit Poker tournaments. It’s also been highly publicized because of the World Poker Tour and ESPN. However, there are fundamental differences between No Limit and standard Hold ‘Em. It’s important to study those differences and apply new strategies.
Limit Hold ‘Em uses a fixed betting amount. For a $5/10 limit hold’em game you bet and raise in increments of $5 for preflop and on the flop, then $10 for the turn card and river card. No Limit Hold ‘Em, on the other hand, does not apply any set betting amount. If you have bet $10,000, and your opponent has made the same bet, and you have such an amazing hand that you’re confident enough to go all in, then you can. There is also a third type of game called Pot Limit Hold ‘Em where the size of the pot sets the ceiling for the bet. Thus, each betting round is much longer. Pot Limit Hold ‘Em was first popular in Europe but is gaining ground all over the world.
No Limit Hold ‘Em gives an advantage for experienced and skilled players, who can identify an unskilled player and make a lot of money. Limit Hold ‘Em on the other hand creates a more even playing ground, so knowing your opponents and employing a strong betting strategy does not apply. You are bound by the rules of the game—while in No Limit Hold ‘Em, the standing rule is that you have to play smart or be wiped out.
For example, No Limit Hold ‘Em allows players to bet a varying amount at any point to either freeze the other players’ drawing hand, bust him in one go, or bluff him. It means big winnings if you’re good… and losing your stack in one just game if you’re not.
Thus No Limit Hold ‘Em is a much more psychological game, as opposed to Limit Hold ‘Em where the game is won and lost only on the hands. Limit Hold ‘Em is pretty mechanical because of this — you wait for your good cards, hit a flop and get paid off. In No Limit Hold ‘Em your goal is to play in a particular way so the other players misreads both your hand and your playing style. You are just waiting for that opportune time to unleash your arsenal and send someone packing. Limit you can’t do this because the size of the bets… you’ll have to show that person you are beating the winning hand and when you do you won’t win as much with it.
Positions also become more important in No Limit Hold ‘Em. For example, if you are dealt a JJ in a Limit Game and you are seated in early position, you have to go for a raise making it two bets. The worst case scenario is that you have three bets and then even caps the pot behind you. In No Limit you are at greater risk from the people who will play after you. What if you raise for a decent amount preflop with your JJ and then get nailed with a huge reraise from someone behind you? Post flop play is also more potentially damaging if you are out of position. You can’t play too cautiously because that is a give away you aren’t sure about your holding, but then again you don’t want to risk a sizable amount of chips with players yet to act.
