Limit Holdem VS No Limit Holdem

April 11th, 2010

If you play enough Texas Holdem Poker, then you know that there is always an argument going on whether Limit Holdem or No-Limit Holdem is the superior game. Regardless of where you stand on this debate, one fact remains and that is the two games are vastly different. Let’s take a look at a few main differences.

Pot vs. Stacks

The object of Limit Holdem is to win pots where in No-Limit Holdem, you are trying your best to stack other players. The adverse also applies. Your opponents are trying to stack you in No-Limit and take pots from you in Limit. Simply put, you will have to go to showdown in many more pots to win the same amount of money that you can win sometimes in one hand of Holdem. If you do not win a pot in two hours in a Limit game, then you are not having a good day. In No-Limit, if you go two hours without winning a pot, you can still make a strong comeback depending on the right hand.

Variance

Players that do not like variance will tend to have fit in No-Limit. The common thinking by most players is that there is more variance in Limit Holdem. However, the truth of the matter is that the swings in No-Limit are much more dramatic. Players see the fact that more hands get sucked out in Limit poker as the game having a lot of variance. However, when a hand is lost via a suckout in Limit, the amount lost can be controlled. If someone moves all-in against you in NL and you call with aces and lose, you lose your whole stack. Due to the betting in the game, you will experience larger swings in NL than you will in Limit when you are on the losing side.

Bluffing

When it comes to bluffing, No-Limit is clearly the superior game. When someone moves all-in on a bluff, it is extremely difficult to call that bet without either a strong hand or a fantastic read. In Limit, if someone bluffs on the river, you have to call one bet. While it is not impossible to bluff in Limit, many times a player will have the odds to call you down.

Aggression

“Aggressive poker is winning poker.” This statement by Phil Gordon is considered the key to being a consistent winner at NL Holdem. However, in Limit Holdem, speed can kill. Limit Holdem is a more calculated game than NL and as a result, the aggressive player can be exploited by a solid Limit player. With that said, an aggressive player can still do well in Limit, but they can be neutralized by the solid players. In NL, that same aggressive player can be exploited by solid players, but the money they take with their aggression can usually make the difference in money lost.

The answer to which Holdem game is superior really depends on your style of play. If you are a more calculating, solid style player, you may find that Limit Holdem will fit your game better. If you do not mind swings and are a bit more of a gambler, then NL may be your game. Remember that both games are different and require different skills sets. If you are not well versed in Limit, you may want to give it a try. You may find it a strong compliment to your poker game.

by: James Guill