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A Basic Guide To Playing Limit Hold'em
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Limit hold'em is a very difficult game for new players to master because it is very easy to pick up bad habits that are costly. Winners at limit hold'em are usually disciplined and unpredictable, whereas players with less skill chase a lot of hands and throw extra bets away that come back to haunt them. Play has to change depending on the situation at any specific table, but players who are tight (see relatively few flops) and aggressive (when they do play in a hand they bet and raise a lot) tend to show the best returns. But, this is true of higher limit games ($10/$20 and upwards) while low limit games can be far less skillful. Contrary to what a lot of poker gurus might tell you there is a huge luck factor in online low-limit games ($4/$8 and lower) and certain situations will arise where correct play does not lead to profitable sessions.
You should not be in more than 20% of the flops at a limit table. Make sure you only play with very strong starting cards, unless you have pre-flop position to run a bluff or you wish to advertise that you are playing a hand with weak cards to confuse your opposition. Neither of these strategies should be followed with any frequency. For one thing very few online low limit players are smart enough to be aware that you are advertising bad cards to vary your play, and they also aren't smart enough to respect a bluff in good position. Save your clever ways for high-limit games where your opponents are likely to take note of and respect your moves.
You must avoid tables that feature tight/aggressive players who have the same style that you hopefully possess as well. Look for limit table percentages that are 35% or higher for seeing the flop. Furthermore, if you are going to win at any game of poker, at any level, with any consistency, then you must understand pot odds, and only be in hands where you think or know that you have the best of it.
It is important to know that bluffs rarely work in low-limit games. If four or more players are in the hand after the flop the odds of pulling off a bluff are too low to make it a good value play. Online low-limit hold'em players are notorious for following their hands to the river and beyond, calling down with nothing at the last, because in the world of the novice "it's only one more bet, and I'm already in for so many."
If you are in a hand make sure you play with a good kicker. If you believe you are ahead in a limit-game it is rarely a good idea to slow play the hand. You must never allow drawing hands a free card, which means betting or raising often. Finally, you must be able to mix up your style of play so that other players cannot get a read on you. If you only raise with premium cards you won't get paid off for your good hands, and if you chase or play with weak kickers it won't take long for a smart player to corner you and shake you down for all your chips.
Related Poker Articles And News Items:
> The Key To Winning At Hold'em - Part 1
> Shorthanded Limit Hold'em - The Advantages
> Avoiding Basic Mistakes In No-Limit Hold'em
> No-Limit Hold'em Basic Strategies
> How To Play Your Cards After The Flop
> The Many Advantages Of Being Suited
> Texas Hold'em Basics
> Texas Hold'em Introduction
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