Limit Versus No-Limit to Begin Your Online Career

Now more than ever, new players are going online to get their first taste of poker. Almost all of them choose to play hold'em, either because it is the simplest game, the most popular game, or the one they've seen on TV. Then they have a choice of playing limit or no-limit. From the medium-sized sample of new players that I know, it seems like half the new players want to learn their basics in limit, while the other half want to jump head-first into no-limit and take a shot there.

Which One Should You Start With?

I don't think the answer to that question is cut-and-dried. Personally, I started out playing limit, and it helped set a good foundation for when I eventually began to play no-limit. So I know from personal experience that such a progression can be done successfully. Most other long-term winners who began their poker careers at least three years ago, did the same thing. It seems logical to me to start with limit; new players have enough to worry about without having to decide how much to bet.

But nowadays no-limit is everywhere. There's no reason why a new player couldn't start out with no-limit and become a solid player. I haven't seen too much of that yet, but then again, no-limit became a phenomenon only in the past year or two. I guess you could say the verdict is still out. A couple of years from now, when I see the results of players who have played nothing but no-limit, I will know if it can be done successfully. My guess is that their success rate will be somewhat lower than the beginners who played some limit hold'em first.

Here's Where the Problem Lies

Many beginners mistakenly see no-limit as being an easier game. They figure that in many situations, they can make one all-in move, and their decision-making is done. From that point on, whatever will be will be. That is true enough, but there are two problems with such a style. The first is that going all in is rarely the optimal play. Sometimes it is correct, but often there is a better alternative. The second is that they'll never improve their game playing that way. Going all in is a play that should be used sparingly. It's not something they want to make a habit of, since they are risking going broke each time they do it.

In the online games I've seen, the all-in move is tremendously overused, which leads me to believe that many beginners are at the no-limit tables. The players who overdo it are probably going broke way more often than they should, since sooner or later they will run into the inevitable big hand that will bust them. Furthermore, they probably think it's just bad luck that their opponent happened to have the nuts, so chances are they're not learning anything in the process either. Maybe if they go broke enough times, they'll finally take the hint that they should move in less often, but they could have saved themselves the aggravation by not moving all in so much in the first place.

There's Always Pot-Limit

Anyone that knows me is aware that I am a big advocate of pot-limit hold'em. If it were up to me, I'd even have the WSOP championship changed to pot-limit. I think it would be a better test of skill. Even so, I think it can also be a helpful game for beginners, too, since it forces you to play big-bet poker after the flop. Unless you are a short stack, you can't just push all in and pray like you can in no-limit. You're forced to choose a different option, and that causes you to think about your possible plays, which in turn leads to improvement in your game.

Unfortunately, there are probably five no-limit games online for every pot-limit game, but that's OK. On most big sites, you'll still have many pot-limit games to choose from. You might find pot-limit to your liking; I know I do. But I'd still play some limit hold'em before I made the leap to pot-limit.

I Guess My Advice Is…

If you're a beginning online player, start out playing limit poker. It's simpler, and your fluctuations will be smaller. Learn the hand values, the basic play of the game, and get yourself acclimated. Once you feel comfortable, then make the move up to big-bet poker.

Is that the only way to succeed? Probably not. But it has worked for me and for many of my poker-playing friends. Chances are it will work for you too. I know you want to play no-limit. It's exciting, fun, and the glamour game you see on TV. Hey, if you learn to play no-limit well enough, we might even see you on TV someday. But jumping straight into it is not the way to earn a steady profit.

I guess it depends on how online poker fits into your life. If it's strictly entertainment, then you might as well play the game that is more fun for you, and in most cases that means no-limit. But, if making money is your primary goal, I'd start out with limit.

I'm guessing you want to be serious about poker. After all, you're reading this article, so already you are taking poker more seriously than the average player. So do what serious players do. Learn your basics in limit before you take your shot at no-limit. Winning poker players exercise patience and discipline, and that doesn't just mean they wait for good hands. They take their time before they dive into a new type of game. Do as they do. Over time, you'll be glad you did.

Matt Lessinger's "Bet With Less" column appears in Card Player magazine. He can be reached at mlessinger@hotmail.com . All questions and comments are welcome.

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