 |
Online Poker at Full
Tilt Poker Play poker at the only online poker room designed by the world’s best players |
November 28, 2005
How to Win at Limit Hold'Em
If you've played poker for any length of time, you've undoubtably read strategy for playing in limit games. It might have even helped you out with a part of your game you were struggling with, or helped you see things in a new light.
But do you win consistently? Or do you just win enough to keep your head above water, showing a little profit in more sessions than you take a loss? Keep reading then, for a few simple rules that are guaranteed to transform your game.
But wait, you say. You don't play limit, April. How did you come upon the rules for winning at limit hold'em? First off, who are you to come to my blog and question me??? That's not how this works. Second, please - I know people, OK? Being friends with Hank makes you like a limit brown-belt or something. Plus, I've put in some time lately at the limit tables at Full Tilt, Titan, and Poker Stars - I've seen firsthand how it's done.
On to the good stuff -
Starting Hand Requirements:
You've probably seen all sorts of different charts detaling out which hands you should play from certain positions, when to raise, when to fold, etc. But those don't apply to limit. In limit the winning way is to play any two suited cards. Betting is capped before it even gets to you? Call. Flop 3 to a flush and betting is capped again? Of course you call. Over the long run, you'll hit your flush, and one of those times, that 6 high flush will be the winner. That my friends is a little thing called EV, and it's good.
For the advanced player, move up to the "any two cards" strategy. It's fairly simple - see the flop on every hand you're dealt. Occasionaly call pre-flop raises, but only if your cards are suited! Don't worry if this practice eats away at your stack of chips - you'll get it all back eventually.
Flop Play:
Once you see the flop, one of two things will have happened - you'll have a hand or you won't have hit the flop at all. The proper move varies little between the two situations. If you've made a solid hand, bet it out and call any raises. If you've got a drawing hand, try and check for a free card, but if it's bet to you, call. If you don't have a hand at all, but you have high cards, try and check for a free card. Again, if it's bet to you, call. People bet with all sorts of things in this game - they might not even have a made hand yet! Why should you dump what could end up being the winning hand just because someone is saying they have something? If your hand doesn't improve on the turn, you still have the river.
Post-Flop Play:
Here things can get a little tricky, so be sure to pay close attention to this section. Take notes or something.
If you hit a pair on the flop, but you aren't sure where you stand with it, due to a weak kicker or having just bottom pair, it's a good idea to raise. If you get called, especially by more than one player, there's a good possibility that someone has you beat. Does this mean you should fold? Of course not!!! If the turn card doesn't help you, you still have the river. Remember, this is limit poker - cards are cheap, no reason to not see 'em all.
Turn didn't bring your flush card? Betting is capped before it gets to you? No way you can fold now. The river will bring your flush card. If not this time, then the next. No worries. And if someone calls you a "donkey" or "jopke", just laugh. They're simply jealous of your superior poker skills, as they should be.
In fact, you know what? Forget the whole note taking thing. Just remember the key aspect of limit poker - you can always make a better hand. The test of a real winner is being able to see it through no matter the cost.
I hope these little tips help you with your limit game. Now that you know the winning secrets, you'll easily spot them being used at the tables when you play. It may look to you like a lot of the players who practice these methods don't stay at the table very long, but you can be assured they're just leaving because of other obligations. Even a limit master has to eat sometime.
Posted by April at November 28, 2005 12:31 AM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.thisisnotapokerblog.com/cgi-bin/MovableType/mt-tb.cgi/256
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference How to Win at Limit Hold'Em:
» How to play limit HE from Drawing Dead
How to win at Limit Hold'em.Ha ha ... [Read More]
Tracked on December 3, 2005 07:44 PM
Comments
You forgot the old "I just felt like playing a hand to the river" move :twisted:
Posted by: ScottMc at November 28, 2005 02:51 AM
Yea, but you're really the expert on that now aren't ya? :D
Posted by: April at November 28, 2005 10:36 AM
I HAD ODDS!
I love that line.
Posted by: Drizztdj at November 28, 2005 01:02 PM
... and thus my recent dive into NL. Limit was making my brain explode.
Posted by: Shelly (phlyersphan) at November 28, 2005 01:19 PM
I knew that playing premium hands with a tight aggressive style was just plain wrong. Now I know that when my AK hit two pair and my opponent hit his 2 outer on the river, I wasn't sucked out on or unlucky...I was outplayed by a limit master. I'm glad you pointed this out to me before I went to Vegas and made an ass out of myself (again).
Thanks April!
Posted by: Marty at November 28, 2005 02:55 PM
OMG, hilarious stuff!!!! If only it weren't true but I see these tips at work every day.
Posted by: April H. at November 28, 2005 11:51 PM
I refer to this as "Low Probability Poker." :P
Posted by: zowie at November 29, 2005 07:52 AM
Doood! I had odds!
Classic post, my friend! It should be titled "how to crush the Party Poker games", and it DEFINATELY should find it's way onto 2+2!
Remember your Party Poker rules of Poker:
If you have a pair, someone else does.
If you have top pair preflop, you're going to lose.
If you hit a straight, someone hit the flush.
If you hit two pair, someone hit the straight.
K2o is a monster.
AA is toilet paper.
If someone raises you, make sure to wait until the "time to act" clock reaches zero before acting. It really intimidates your opponent.
Posted by: The_ICP at November 29, 2005 09:22 PM
Thanks alot now that everyone knows my strategy I'm going to have to spend another four months in the think tank dreaming up a new one.
Posted by: poker.pfym.net at November 30, 2005 12:49 PM
I have a question. How should I adjust this strategy if I have an irrational desire to check-raise at every possible opportunity? Also, is "****ing *** ****" like some kind of poker term or something? People say that to me all the time.
Posted by: Beck at December 13, 2005 01:14 PM