Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker

Recently I've been struggling with the idea of moving up in stakes. I have dabbled at the higher buy in No Limit games and had mixed results. There are a few factors that come into play when I'm deciding. First is bankroll. Well, after a good summer at the WSOP and cutting down on my spending habits, my bankroll is in good shape and very sufficiently rolled to move on up to a bigger game. Next- my skill set. As poker players we all seem to think we're better than we really are. I try hard not to fall into that trap and always try to be realistic. I think my skill set is there to move up. Lastly, my mindset. This is the tough one for me. While my bankroll and skillset are ready to rock and roll, my mind isn't quite ready for the journey. The one big issue I've faced when moving up is that my mind can't handle the swings of the bigger games. If I'm in a 2/5 no limit game or a 5/10 no limit game and have $1000 in front of me I don't think about the money at all. Now, put me in a 10/20 no limit game with $2000 or $2500 and suddenly I become afraid of the money and don't play well. This is unfortunate because as I mentioned my bankroll and skill sets can support the game, but unfortunately my mind can't. So, what to do? I think the best route for me is to continue beating the games that I beat, and when I see a bigger game that looks real good and I'm upswinging in my current game, then take a shot at the bigger game. Eventually my mind will come to terms with the swings and I can move up.

1. Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Rules
2. Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Bonus
3. Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Real Money
4. Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Winnings
5. Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Table
6. Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Winnings

The significant difference between the two Texas Hold'em subgenres is that the best players save or make an extra big bet in limit hold'em, while in no-limit hold'em, the game is driven by implied odds. The most accurate analogy is that limit is like a carousel, while no-limit is like a rollercoaster.

1. Think of no-limit poker as higher risk and higher reward. In this case, we'll focus on the reward part to illustrate the difference between the two games. If you make a mistake in no-limit poker and get burned for 20% of your chips, there's a good chance you can make up for it the next time you're dealt a good hand like a pair of aces.
2. Implied odds differ between limit and no limit poker games. Limit decisions are constructed from the idea of the single bet's risk to the return size of the pot (pot odds). The exact amount you and your opponent are betting is present in limit, but not as quite in no limit poker games.
3. Let's dive into the differences among no-limit, pot-limit, and limit betting structures in poker. No-Limit Betting Rules. The term 'no-limit' seems simple enough. In any no-limit poker game, players can bet all of their chips at any time. Most no-limit games use a system of blinds and a button, and for more on that system check out the 'Blinds.

So, whats this all mean for you, the reader? Well I figured if I have issues moving up you may as well, and it's mostly likely issues in making the move from 1/2 no limit to 2/5 no limit. Today I'd like to elaborate on the differences in the games to best prepare you for that move. But always remember, you need to evaluate the three things I spoke about above- bankroll, skill set, and mindset. Make sure all three are ready for the move up before giving it a shot. Also, don't be afraid to move back down if it doesn't work out or if you are uncomfortable with the new stakes.

The biggest difference between 1/2 and 2/5 is best summed up in one word- aggression. There is a lot more preflop raising and even three betting in 2/5 than there is in 1/2. Also, there is far less open limping. While it's very common in 1/2 to see four or more players limp in for $2 and the blind check taking you all to a six way flop, there is very little of this in 2/5. Most players know that it is very profitable to isolate limpers in no limit and players in 2/5 take advantage of this. You will often see a bad player open limp in 2/5, a good player from middle position raise to $25, and another good player on the button three bet to $75. What's likely happening is that the good player in middle position knows that it is profitable to isolate the bad limper, and the really good player in late position knows this, knows that the good player is likely isolating light, so now he three bets in position light to isolate the isolator. Plays like this don't always happen but are definitely more common in mid stakes games than in low limit games. It can also be taken to the extreme when the middle position player picks up on the fact that the button knew he was isolating light, so he can now four bet light to force a fold from the buttons light three bet. As you see this can easily turn into a leveling war between good players- and it all started by a bad player limping in for $5!

Apart from the three betting and open raising in 2/5, you will also see more continuation bets from the preflop raiser whether or not they hit their hand. Because of this you will have to be prepared to play post flop more with weaker hands. You can't spend all day calling raises and waiting to flop the nuts because the good players will win all the small pots from you and then shut down as soon as you show any resistance post flop. To combat this you need to learn to continue with weaker hands that haven't crushed the flop against pre flop raisers. This means calling in position more often, floating flops, and taking away pots on the turn or river. Bluffing (more like semi bluffing) becomes a more important part of the game as the limits go up. That doesn't mean that we should be bluffing every pot with no regard to what we are representing. Learning to tell a story with your hand becomes much more important. Always be thinking 'if I had X hand would I play it this way.' That will help your bets to be believable if you're telling a believable story.

With regards to online poker, I'd say this same principle holds true when moving from 50c/1 no limit games to the 1/2 no limit games. I'd also equate moving from 1/2 no limit online to 2/4 no limit online would be akin to moving from 2/5 no limit live to 5/10 no limit live. The player pool becomes much tougher and you don't get paid off as much on your big hands so learning to win countless small pots becomes much more vital.

With that said, assuming sufficient bankroll, I'd advocate dipping your toe in slowly. Start off by playing tight, observing your opponents, and then join in the fray with calculated bets and bluffs that tell a believable story about your hand. Good luck to all those who are attempting to move up in limits and make sure to post any trouble hands in Table Talk here at PokerAtlas. Good luck on the felt and most importantly, have fun!!

Comments

1. Excellent article Benton! Have you ever written anything about transitioning from Limit to No Limit? If not then that is my request. I always enjoy reading what you write. Few people are able to simplify complex poker strategy and advice better than you.

2. Benton, I find that for lack of a better word 2/5 is more 'predictable.' For example, At the 1/2 level you see a lot of players call pre flop raises with Junk hands because it was only another $8 and 'they were suited. ' 2/5 players are less likely to make that loose preflop call. At the higher levels you get more reliable information in response to your action. As a result players with good hand reading skills can thrive at the higher levels.

   While in the long run it's profitable to play against the loose passive 1/2 players that doesn't make it feel better when your AA gets cracked by J4 flopping bottom two pair.

3. Good read and something I need to make the effort to do. I've mainly played 1/3 lately so the transition might be a bit easier.

   I just wish the nearest good cash game wasn't two hours away!

4. @GameChanger Very kind words. I appreciate it. I don't think I've ever written about transitioning from limit to no limit. That might make for an interesting article, although I don't know how useful considering most limit players have already made the switch or they refuse to ever make the switch. I did write an article about playing limit poker. I personally started as a limit player in 2001 and made the transition to no limit in 2004-2005. Let me think about how to approach that article. Thanks for the suggestion.

5. @zourah You and me both! 2.5 hours to Lake Charles. At least I get Vegas once a month tho so I shouldn't complain. Good luck with the transition.

6. Great article Benton, and perfect timing for me. Off to Vegas in a couple weeks to take some shots at 2/5, as I'm a bit hesitant to do so at my local yet, since they'd know I was just moving up and I'm afraid I'd be a bit exploitable until I'm more comfortable. Any reccomendations on best Vegas rooms to play 2/5? Heard Bellagio is a solid go to. Thanks!

7. Wait, so VegasMikey doesn't live in Vegas? Hmmmm we will have to investigate this in our member screenname policy. hahaha I'm kidding. As long as LasVegasMichael doesn't have a problem with it, I don't either ;).

   Bellagio, Aria, Venetian, and Wynn I think are probably known to have the most 2/5 NL games to choose from. Others often have games, but not on as regular of a basis. From my experience, they're all pretty similar to one another, so it just comes down to which room you feel the most comfortable in.

BTW, excellent article Benton. I agree with GameChanger. Would be a very interesting piece..and maybe the reason more Limit players don't switch to NL is because you haven't given them appropriate guidance on how to do so? I'm guessing that is the case.

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Many new poker players start out playing no-limit Texas Hold'em. Only a while ago, limit Holdem was the more fashionable Texas Hold'em subgenre. These days, no-limit hold'em is the more popular choice even though there are still a lot of players who are enjoying considerable success playing limit and making nice money from it. Although there is less and less action in limit games, so you need to consider if it is worth learning limit Holdem for you. Whether you're curious or looking to make the transition from no-limit to limit, this article will show you all you need to know about the two subgenres of Texas Hold'em and how they differ from each other.

The significant difference between the two Texas Hold'em subgenres is that the best players save or make an extra big bet in limit hold'em, while in no-limit hold'em, the game is driven by implied odds. The most accurate analogy is that limit is like a carousel, while no-limit is like a rollercoaster. While some people prefer the comfy merry go round of limit, others are more excited by the thrill of going on full speed with no-limit.

No-limit and fixed limit are not the only variations of Texas hold'em. The third variation is called pot-limit, and its primary element is that bet sizes are limited by the size of the pot. Nowadays, Texas no-limit Holdem is by far more popular than other two variants of the game.

Before diving into the different facets oflimit and no-limit hold'em, let's get a little background information on Texas Hold'emjust so we're all on the same page.

Texas Hold'em

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Rules

Texas Hold'em is one of the many variants of poker and is the mostpopular of them all. Like other poker variants, Texas Hold'em will test your mathematics, decision making, deception, and timing.

In Texas Hold'em, 7 cards are dealt in total. The first two cards are dealt pre-flop, and they are called the hole cards. The next five cards are called community cards, and they are dealt in three stages (flop, river, and turn). In the flop, three community cards are dealt face down while one community card each is dealt on the river and on the turn.

Each player aims to achieve the best 5 card combination from the 7 cards total. Players can raise, fold, call, or check. A player with the best hand who did not fold by the end of all betting rounds wins the bet money placed during the hand(the pot).

In Texas Hold'em, the objective of each player is to win the total bet money placed during a hand. Players have no control over the kind of cards they are dealt, hence, their aim is to control the pot based on the prediction of their opposition's hand/ behavior or, on the strength of their own hands. An entire game is divided into hands, and each hand consists of a preflop, a flop, river, and turn. If at the end of each turn a winner has not emerged, the remaining players in the hand move to a final round called the showdown.

In the showdown, players get to compare their hands, and the player with the highest hand combination wins the pot. The aim of professional players in Texas Hold'em is not necessarily to win all the hands. It is to gather information in each hand to help them make logical and mathematically accurate decisions like how and when to place bets, call, fold, or raise. Each decision matters.

Those decisions are like a nonverbal representation of the kind of hand a player holds. During the course of the game, players get to read each other's betting patterns and use the information gathered from previous betting hands to influence their decisions in subsequent hands.

Blinds and Table Position in Texas Hold'em

In Texas Hold'em, position refers to where you're sitting on the table in relation to the dealer button. It has huge effect on how you will play your hand. Generally, you are more aggressive in position, and a bit more passive out of position.

The dealer button determines when it's your turn to act depending on how close or further away you are from the button, you could be the first or last player to act in a hand. After a hand, the dealer button's position is rotated in a clockwise direction to ensure every player gets the chance to enjoy the privileges that comes with being in a specific position during a hand.

There are two blinds in a game of Texas hold'em. They are the big blind and small blind. These blinds are forced bets placed in the pot by the first two players on the dealer's left-hand side. The first player to the dealer's left is the small blind while the next player is the big blind.

At the start of the first betting round (preflop), the first player to act in a hand is the player sitting on the left of the big blind. This player's position is referred to as 'under the gun'. After preflop, the first player to act a hand in subsequent betting rounds is the player sitting in the position of the small blind( the first player to the right of the dealer button) while the player sitting on the dealer button's position gets to act last.

Betting Rules in Texas Hold'em

In Texas Hold'em, each player has the option to bet/raise, check/call, or fold. A player calls when he matches a previous bet while checking entails matching a prior non-bet. Chips are placed in the pot to make bets while raising involves betting an amount that is higher than the previous bet. Lastly, folding involves discarding your hand while you wait for the next hand.

Now that we know all about Texas Hold'em,let's find out how its versions (limit and no-limit) differs from each otherstarting from the betting rules.

No Limit Betting Rules

No-limit Texas Hold'em is the variation for players who are excited by the game's defining elements like luck, chance, skill, and action. There's no doubting the rush of adrenaline that comes with placing all your chips in a pot during a hand. The excitement and unpredictability of no-limit Texas hold'em has been particularly appealing to many poker players, and this fact is visible in the increase in the number of no-limit participants in major events like the world series of poker.

The following are the acceptable bettingpatterns in no-limit Texas hold'em.

• Bet Size: The big blind's betting amount is the minimum bet size that is permitted in a hand. Players can either match that amount by calling the blind or bet a higher amount by raising it. On the other hand, the maximum bet allowed is the player's stack pile.
• Minimum Raise: The minimum raise allowed in no-limit Texas hold'em must match the previous raise or bet. That means if the first player raises preflop by $20, the next player who raises will need to at least match the previous raise plus the blind. Since the previous raise is $20 and the blind is $10, the next player who raises will have to raise by at least 30 dollars. A player can raise much higher if they wish. That is the beauty of no-limit hold'em, you can raise as much as your stack allows you.

Limit Betting Rules

Also called fixed-limit Texas hold'em, this hold'em version allows 2 bet sizes, and they are as follows.

1. The first bet size is called the small bet, and it is allowed in preflop and on the flop.
2. The second bet size is referred to as the big bet, and it is allowed on the turn and river.

The rules governing these bets are as follows

• Small Bet Size: The small bet size is the same amount as the big blind. This meansthat a $2/$4 fixed limit game will have $1/$2 blinds.
• Raise Limit: Unlike no-limit hold'em, players can only raise in relative to theprevious bet. Also, only four bets are allowed in each rounds. This means ifthe first player raises preflop to $4, the next player who is willing to raisecan only reraise to $6. The next player who raises can only raise to $8. Thisfourth bet is the limit and is called 'capping'. After the fourth bet, theother players left in a hand are no longer allowed to raise. They can only foldor call the previous raise.

The betting and raising onthe next two rounds(turn/river) is doubled, which means if you're playing$2/$4, the player who places the first bet can bet $4 while the next raiserwill have to raise by $8.

Other Key Differences Between Limit & No-limit Hold'em

Apart from the betting rules, there areother key aspects of both versions of Texas Hold'em that differs and they areas follows.

Starting Hands

In fixed-limit hold'em, several unsuited big cards are correctly and regularly played as starting hands without much fuss. However, playing these starting hands in no-limit hold'emcould be a recipe for disaster. For example, it is totally fine to play hands like KQ or AQ in fixed-limit hold'em, but most players avoid overplaying these hands or even fold them regularly with deep stacks in no-limit hold'em.

Manipulating Pot Odds

This is perhaps one of the most glaring differences between limit and no-limit hold'em. It is a common sight to watch players playing fixed-limit games complaining about how tight betting rules limit their ability to protect their hands. Although, this works both ways because these same tight betting rules allow players to turn over losing hands, which ensures they don't have to lose all their stack. Yet, it is worthy of note that no-limit players have the freedom to protect the hand while limit players do not.

The Odds

Odds have their role in both limit and no-limit hold'em. However, implied odds holds more importance in no-limit hold'em because players are at liberty to place their entire stack as a one time bet. Although limit hold'em also features implied odds, it holds less importance because of the betting limits enforced. Therefore, while no-limit players can go all the way with a weak hand, fixed limit players are more concerned with pot odds and, as such, would not rely on implied odds to justify their decision to chase a draw. The structure of fixed-limit hold'em demands that players pay close attention to the odds if they hope to be successful.

Information

Although no-limit hold'em players are able to bet their entire stack, they are also aware that this kind of move could possibly give away their hand. More often than not, players who commit their entire stack are players with strong hands. Since placing a large bet gives away so much information on a player's hand, many players in no-limit hold'em try to adhere strictly to their own bet sizing. Limit players don't have to worry about revealing too much with their betting patterns because they can only raise within the betting limits.

Bluffing

In fixed-limit hold'em, many players believe bluffing is a poor choice with little chance of success. That said, it is not impossible to succeed with a perfectly timed bluff in limit hold'em, it is the success rate that worries most players. On the other hand, no-limit hold'em players are more likely to bluff because the chance of success is high enough. While this is an obvious advantage over the limit hold'em, it must be said that a failed bluff can cause more damage in no-limit hold'em since the betting sizes are not limited as in limit hold'em.

Advantagesof No limit Hold'em over Limit

With the information above, it is evident that several intricate details plays a role in the difference between both versions of Texas Hold'em. What can't be disputed is the fact that players can amass great success in both versions, and that brings us to the next question, why do more players prefer no limit? Below are the perceived advantage of no-limit hold'em over limit hold'em.

Creative Control

One of the primary reasons more players prefer no-limit hold'em is the creative ability they retain while playing the game. No-limit hold'em doesn't restrict bet sizes, which means you can bet as much as you want. With the limitless bet size allowed in no-limit, players are able to bluff regularly and effectively.

For example, a player with a strong hand in no-limit hold'em can overbet in the hope that his/her opponent will read the bet as a bluff. Also, an aggressive player who perceives his/her opponent has a weak range can re-raise all in one on the river as a bluff.

Unfortunately, these moves are practically impossible in fixed-limit hold'em because of the lack of creative control on bet sizes. Fixed limit's 2 bet type rule places a restriction on a player's ability to get creative with their bets. This limitation means players are less enthusiastic about bluffing. Hence, the flexibility and potential to win more with increased options available in no-limit ensures more players are choosing it over fixed-limit hold'em.

Less Pressure

If you're a player who has got a grasp of hand match-ups and game theory, then fixed-limit hold'em doesn't look as complicated as it seems for some players. A solid fixed limit player should be able to make excellent calculations based on the perceived range of his opponent and his hand. This gives him enough information to make decisions (call, bet, and fold) that are mathematically accurate during a hand.

A player who isn't able to work out his math will find it challenging to win hands. It gets even worse if the player is playing against a skilled opponent. Coupled with the betting limit, the player who hasn't worked out his/her maths will mainly depend on luck to win a hand in fixed limit poker. This is unlike no-limit hold'em where an amateur player can still get to win a hand regardless of his/her skill-set. In no-limit, a player can essentially go all-in on his/her opponents, forcing them to fold their better hands. In that case, you don't necessarily have to be the player with the best strategy to win a hand. This is not to say just anyone can win hands in no-limit, it simply means that even the weakest player on the table has a chance. Simply put, there is more pressure to learn the mathematical side of Texas Hold'em in limit than in no-limit.

More Profits

Lastly, another reason why no-limit gets all the attention is that the pot in no-limit hold'em can reach huge proportions during a hand. Be it a tournament or cash game, the cash in the middle isn't as significant when everyone on the table can bet all their stack at once whenever they deem fit.

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Bonus

This is in stark contrast to limit hold'em where the pot level is nowhere near the size of the blind. Obviously, it isn't impossible to claim the money in the middle while playing fixed limit, but that would take many bets and raises, which could encourage opponents who sense that they're behind to fold their hands.

Although the pot size should determine the amount of money players bet, the flexible nature of no-limit hold'em ensures that the money in the middle trumps the blind level by a large amount. It gets even crazier when you add over betting, which just makes the game a whole lot exciting. Winning poker players can make a lot of money in no-limit hold'em because the betting structure allows them to lure weak players into making huge bets, which just makes their profits higher.

It is also important to note that the betting structure in limit hold'em means limit tournaments takes longer than a normal no-limit tournament. While this is not significant, it is still necessary to consider it. Now that we know the benefits of no limit over limit hold'em, I know you're probably wondering why people still play fixed-limit hold'em. Is there a good reason why some players stick with fixed limit? The answer is yes and the following benefits of fixed limit hold'em will show you why.

Why Play Limit Holdem

Limits the Amount of Money you Lose

One of the biggest advantages of fixed-limit hold'em is that players are less likely to lose large sums in one hand. It is practically impossible to lose all your money in the first hand even if you try to. Whereas, players can bet their entire stack and possibly lose them all in one hand in no-limit hold'em.

Hence, the limit on bet size while being a killjoy for players who are all for the excitement of betting as much as they can, is also a strategy that ensures damage control if a player does lose a hand. This damage control tendencies of fixed limit bets ensures that it is more beginner-friendly than no limit. Frequently, players who are just starting out in no-limit hold'em can lose a lot of money as they play against opponents with more experience. In fixed-limit, the amount they lose is controlled by the betting sizes.

More Action

How many times will you see players folding to big raises in no-limit? The answer is a lot more time than you would see in a fixed limit game. With fixed-limit players able to make profitable calls backed by their mathematical analysis, you're more likely to see more action during a hand than you would normally see in a no-limit game. If you're the kind of player who loves the action and you're not too shy to bet on many streets, then fixed-limit hold'em might just be the game for you.

The maths

Another significant advantage fixed-limit hold'em has over no-limit is that players who have superior analytical skills are dead set to be incredibly successful. In fixed limit, you can literally analyze all situations mathematically since you're aware of how huge the bets will/can be. A proper mathematical analysis can give you a good idea if the decision you're about to take in a particular scenario will be rewarding. You could possibly calculate how much your decision will bring in.

Comparing the pot odds to your odds can also help determine if staying in a hand is the right decision. With this quick math, you can find out if folding your flush draw is a good decision or if you could possibly complete it on the turn or river. Hence, the best mathematical analysts in fixed-limit hold'em usually end up as successful players.

Get Better

Just like fixed limit, no-limit hold'em also has a mathematical side that helps players make calculated risks and decisions. The only difference is that this aspect of the game is more crucial to fixed-limit hold'em.

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Real Money

Yet, gaining mastery of mathematical percentages and establishing a personal basis for your starting hands will certainly make you a better player in no-limit hold'em as well. Since players absolutely need to learn to get their maths right, a fixed limit player who is making the transition into no-limit would come in with the advantage of being great at analyzing the game mathematically. My point is that a fixed limit player won't have as much trouble making a transition to no-limit. Whereas, no-limit players who want to transition into fixed limit have their work cut out for them.

Texas No-limit & Texas Fixed LimitHold'em: Which is Better?

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Winnings

There is no way to tell which version of Texas hold'em is the better of the two since they both have their advantages and disadvantages. There are players who prefer no-limit hold'em while some other players would rather play fixed limit, it is a personal choice.

If you're trying to work out which version would suit you, you need to analyze your skills to see where you'd fit in. The general belief amongst experienced poker players is that fixed limit is a safer ground to begin your Texas Hold'em journey because you're less likely to lose a lot of money as a result of its betting limit. But then when you decide to switch to no-limit, which you most likely will, you will need to invest time into learning different playing style.

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Table

Yet, the maths required to become a good player in fixed limit is no piece of cake. Therefore, there are several key elements to consider before choosing your preferred Texas Hold'em variation. If you're great at the mathematical analysis part of Texas Hold'em, you're highly likely to become more successful playing fixed-limit hold'em, but if maths is not your strong suit, then you may want to stick with no-limit. Also, if you're the kind of player that prefers an exciting game, you indeed would find more joy playing no-limit.

The best way to learn math in depth that is a must to become a winning player is to watch the poker pros do the math for you, so you learn how it is done the right way. I speak from personal experience. You can waste hundreds of hours figuring the math out. Or you can join a poker coaching website for free, where the math has been done for you, and you are shown by professional players what is the optimal way to play individual hands.

Conclusion

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Winnings

One thing you may have noticed is that thedifference between both versions is not necessarily huge. The gameplay isbasically the same with a few changes in the rules, which may also affect gamestrategy as well. With the above information, you should be able to distinguishbetween fixed limit hold'em and no-limit hold'em.

BTW, excellent article Benton. I agree with GameChanger. Would be a very interesting piece..and maybe the reason more Limit players don't switch to NL is because you haven't given them appropriate guidance on how to do so? I'm guessing that is the case.

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Many new poker players start out playing no-limit Texas Hold'em. Only a while ago, limit Holdem was the more fashionable Texas Hold'em subgenre. These days, no-limit hold'em is the more popular choice even though there are still a lot of players who are enjoying considerable success playing limit and making nice money from it. Although there is less and less action in limit games, so you need to consider if it is worth learning limit Holdem for you. Whether you're curious or looking to make the transition from no-limit to limit, this article will show you all you need to know about the two subgenres of Texas Hold'em and how they differ from each other.

The significant difference between the two Texas Hold'em subgenres is that the best players save or make an extra big bet in limit hold'em, while in no-limit hold'em, the game is driven by implied odds. The most accurate analogy is that limit is like a carousel, while no-limit is like a rollercoaster. While some people prefer the comfy merry go round of limit, others are more excited by the thrill of going on full speed with no-limit.

No-limit and fixed limit are not the only variations of Texas hold'em. The third variation is called pot-limit, and its primary element is that bet sizes are limited by the size of the pot. Nowadays, Texas no-limit Holdem is by far more popular than other two variants of the game.

Before diving into the different facets oflimit and no-limit hold'em, let's get a little background information on Texas Hold'emjust so we're all on the same page.

Texas Hold'em

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Rules

Texas Hold'em is one of the many variants of poker and is the mostpopular of them all. Like other poker variants, Texas Hold'em will test your mathematics, decision making, deception, and timing.

In Texas Hold'em, 7 cards are dealt in total. The first two cards are dealt pre-flop, and they are called the hole cards. The next five cards are called community cards, and they are dealt in three stages (flop, river, and turn). In the flop, three community cards are dealt face down while one community card each is dealt on the river and on the turn.

Each player aims to achieve the best 5 card combination from the 7 cards total. Players can raise, fold, call, or check. A player with the best hand who did not fold by the end of all betting rounds wins the bet money placed during the hand(the pot).

In Texas Hold'em, the objective of each player is to win the total bet money placed during a hand. Players have no control over the kind of cards they are dealt, hence, their aim is to control the pot based on the prediction of their opposition's hand/ behavior or, on the strength of their own hands. An entire game is divided into hands, and each hand consists of a preflop, a flop, river, and turn. If at the end of each turn a winner has not emerged, the remaining players in the hand move to a final round called the showdown.

In the showdown, players get to compare their hands, and the player with the highest hand combination wins the pot. The aim of professional players in Texas Hold'em is not necessarily to win all the hands. It is to gather information in each hand to help them make logical and mathematically accurate decisions like how and when to place bets, call, fold, or raise. Each decision matters.

Those decisions are like a nonverbal representation of the kind of hand a player holds. During the course of the game, players get to read each other's betting patterns and use the information gathered from previous betting hands to influence their decisions in subsequent hands.

Blinds and Table Position in Texas Hold'em

In Texas Hold'em, position refers to where you're sitting on the table in relation to the dealer button. It has huge effect on how you will play your hand. Generally, you are more aggressive in position, and a bit more passive out of position.

The dealer button determines when it's your turn to act depending on how close or further away you are from the button, you could be the first or last player to act in a hand. After a hand, the dealer button's position is rotated in a clockwise direction to ensure every player gets the chance to enjoy the privileges that comes with being in a specific position during a hand.

There are two blinds in a game of Texas hold'em. They are the big blind and small blind. These blinds are forced bets placed in the pot by the first two players on the dealer's left-hand side. The first player to the dealer's left is the small blind while the next player is the big blind.

At the start of the first betting round (preflop), the first player to act in a hand is the player sitting on the left of the big blind. This player's position is referred to as 'under the gun'. After preflop, the first player to act a hand in subsequent betting rounds is the player sitting in the position of the small blind( the first player to the right of the dealer button) while the player sitting on the dealer button's position gets to act last.

Betting Rules in Texas Hold'em

In Texas Hold'em, each player has the option to bet/raise, check/call, or fold. A player calls when he matches a previous bet while checking entails matching a prior non-bet. Chips are placed in the pot to make bets while raising involves betting an amount that is higher than the previous bet. Lastly, folding involves discarding your hand while you wait for the next hand.

Now that we know all about Texas Hold'em,let's find out how its versions (limit and no-limit) differs from each otherstarting from the betting rules.

No Limit Betting Rules

No-limit Texas Hold'em is the variation for players who are excited by the game's defining elements like luck, chance, skill, and action. There's no doubting the rush of adrenaline that comes with placing all your chips in a pot during a hand. The excitement and unpredictability of no-limit Texas hold'em has been particularly appealing to many poker players, and this fact is visible in the increase in the number of no-limit participants in major events like the world series of poker.

The following are the acceptable bettingpatterns in no-limit Texas hold'em.

• Bet Size: The big blind's betting amount is the minimum bet size that is permitted in a hand. Players can either match that amount by calling the blind or bet a higher amount by raising it. On the other hand, the maximum bet allowed is the player's stack pile.
• Minimum Raise: The minimum raise allowed in no-limit Texas hold'em must match the previous raise or bet. That means if the first player raises preflop by $20, the next player who raises will need to at least match the previous raise plus the blind. Since the previous raise is $20 and the blind is $10, the next player who raises will have to raise by at least 30 dollars. A player can raise much higher if they wish. That is the beauty of no-limit hold'em, you can raise as much as your stack allows you.

Limit Betting Rules

Also called fixed-limit Texas hold'em, this hold'em version allows 2 bet sizes, and they are as follows.

1. The first bet size is called the small bet, and it is allowed in preflop and on the flop.
2. The second bet size is referred to as the big bet, and it is allowed on the turn and river.

The rules governing these bets are as follows

• Small Bet Size: The small bet size is the same amount as the big blind. This meansthat a $2/$4 fixed limit game will have $1/$2 blinds.
• Raise Limit: Unlike no-limit hold'em, players can only raise in relative to theprevious bet. Also, only four bets are allowed in each rounds. This means ifthe first player raises preflop to $4, the next player who is willing to raisecan only reraise to $6. The next player who raises can only raise to $8. Thisfourth bet is the limit and is called 'capping'. After the fourth bet, theother players left in a hand are no longer allowed to raise. They can only foldor call the previous raise.

The betting and raising onthe next two rounds(turn/river) is doubled, which means if you're playing$2/$4, the player who places the first bet can bet $4 while the next raiserwill have to raise by $8.

Other Key Differences Between Limit & No-limit Hold'em

Apart from the betting rules, there areother key aspects of both versions of Texas Hold'em that differs and they areas follows.

Starting Hands

In fixed-limit hold'em, several unsuited big cards are correctly and regularly played as starting hands without much fuss. However, playing these starting hands in no-limit hold'emcould be a recipe for disaster. For example, it is totally fine to play hands like KQ or AQ in fixed-limit hold'em, but most players avoid overplaying these hands or even fold them regularly with deep stacks in no-limit hold'em.

Manipulating Pot Odds

This is perhaps one of the most glaring differences between limit and no-limit hold'em. It is a common sight to watch players playing fixed-limit games complaining about how tight betting rules limit their ability to protect their hands. Although, this works both ways because these same tight betting rules allow players to turn over losing hands, which ensures they don't have to lose all their stack. Yet, it is worthy of note that no-limit players have the freedom to protect the hand while limit players do not.

The Odds

Odds have their role in both limit and no-limit hold'em. However, implied odds holds more importance in no-limit hold'em because players are at liberty to place their entire stack as a one time bet. Although limit hold'em also features implied odds, it holds less importance because of the betting limits enforced. Therefore, while no-limit players can go all the way with a weak hand, fixed limit players are more concerned with pot odds and, as such, would not rely on implied odds to justify their decision to chase a draw. The structure of fixed-limit hold'em demands that players pay close attention to the odds if they hope to be successful.

Information

Although no-limit hold'em players are able to bet their entire stack, they are also aware that this kind of move could possibly give away their hand. More often than not, players who commit their entire stack are players with strong hands. Since placing a large bet gives away so much information on a player's hand, many players in no-limit hold'em try to adhere strictly to their own bet sizing. Limit players don't have to worry about revealing too much with their betting patterns because they can only raise within the betting limits.

Bluffing

In fixed-limit hold'em, many players believe bluffing is a poor choice with little chance of success. That said, it is not impossible to succeed with a perfectly timed bluff in limit hold'em, it is the success rate that worries most players. On the other hand, no-limit hold'em players are more likely to bluff because the chance of success is high enough. While this is an obvious advantage over the limit hold'em, it must be said that a failed bluff can cause more damage in no-limit hold'em since the betting sizes are not limited as in limit hold'em.

Advantagesof No limit Hold'em over Limit

With the information above, it is evident that several intricate details plays a role in the difference between both versions of Texas Hold'em. What can't be disputed is the fact that players can amass great success in both versions, and that brings us to the next question, why do more players prefer no limit? Below are the perceived advantage of no-limit hold'em over limit hold'em.

Creative Control

One of the primary reasons more players prefer no-limit hold'em is the creative ability they retain while playing the game. No-limit hold'em doesn't restrict bet sizes, which means you can bet as much as you want. With the limitless bet size allowed in no-limit, players are able to bluff regularly and effectively.

For example, a player with a strong hand in no-limit hold'em can overbet in the hope that his/her opponent will read the bet as a bluff. Also, an aggressive player who perceives his/her opponent has a weak range can re-raise all in one on the river as a bluff.

Unfortunately, these moves are practically impossible in fixed-limit hold'em because of the lack of creative control on bet sizes. Fixed limit's 2 bet type rule places a restriction on a player's ability to get creative with their bets. This limitation means players are less enthusiastic about bluffing. Hence, the flexibility and potential to win more with increased options available in no-limit ensures more players are choosing it over fixed-limit hold'em.

Less Pressure

If you're a player who has got a grasp of hand match-ups and game theory, then fixed-limit hold'em doesn't look as complicated as it seems for some players. A solid fixed limit player should be able to make excellent calculations based on the perceived range of his opponent and his hand. This gives him enough information to make decisions (call, bet, and fold) that are mathematically accurate during a hand.

A player who isn't able to work out his math will find it challenging to win hands. It gets even worse if the player is playing against a skilled opponent. Coupled with the betting limit, the player who hasn't worked out his/her maths will mainly depend on luck to win a hand in fixed limit poker. This is unlike no-limit hold'em where an amateur player can still get to win a hand regardless of his/her skill-set. In no-limit, a player can essentially go all-in on his/her opponents, forcing them to fold their better hands. In that case, you don't necessarily have to be the player with the best strategy to win a hand. This is not to say just anyone can win hands in no-limit, it simply means that even the weakest player on the table has a chance. Simply put, there is more pressure to learn the mathematical side of Texas Hold'em in limit than in no-limit.

More Profits

Lastly, another reason why no-limit gets all the attention is that the pot in no-limit hold'em can reach huge proportions during a hand. Be it a tournament or cash game, the cash in the middle isn't as significant when everyone on the table can bet all their stack at once whenever they deem fit.

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Bonus

This is in stark contrast to limit hold'em where the pot level is nowhere near the size of the blind. Obviously, it isn't impossible to claim the money in the middle while playing fixed limit, but that would take many bets and raises, which could encourage opponents who sense that they're behind to fold their hands.

Although the pot size should determine the amount of money players bet, the flexible nature of no-limit hold'em ensures that the money in the middle trumps the blind level by a large amount. It gets even crazier when you add over betting, which just makes the game a whole lot exciting. Winning poker players can make a lot of money in no-limit hold'em because the betting structure allows them to lure weak players into making huge bets, which just makes their profits higher.

It is also important to note that the betting structure in limit hold'em means limit tournaments takes longer than a normal no-limit tournament. While this is not significant, it is still necessary to consider it. Now that we know the benefits of no limit over limit hold'em, I know you're probably wondering why people still play fixed-limit hold'em. Is there a good reason why some players stick with fixed limit? The answer is yes and the following benefits of fixed limit hold'em will show you why.

Why Play Limit Holdem

Limits the Amount of Money you Lose

One of the biggest advantages of fixed-limit hold'em is that players are less likely to lose large sums in one hand. It is practically impossible to lose all your money in the first hand even if you try to. Whereas, players can bet their entire stack and possibly lose them all in one hand in no-limit hold'em.

Hence, the limit on bet size while being a killjoy for players who are all for the excitement of betting as much as they can, is also a strategy that ensures damage control if a player does lose a hand. This damage control tendencies of fixed limit bets ensures that it is more beginner-friendly than no limit. Frequently, players who are just starting out in no-limit hold'em can lose a lot of money as they play against opponents with more experience. In fixed-limit, the amount they lose is controlled by the betting sizes.

More Action

How many times will you see players folding to big raises in no-limit? The answer is a lot more time than you would see in a fixed limit game. With fixed-limit players able to make profitable calls backed by their mathematical analysis, you're more likely to see more action during a hand than you would normally see in a no-limit game. If you're the kind of player who loves the action and you're not too shy to bet on many streets, then fixed-limit hold'em might just be the game for you.

The maths

Another significant advantage fixed-limit hold'em has over no-limit is that players who have superior analytical skills are dead set to be incredibly successful. In fixed limit, you can literally analyze all situations mathematically since you're aware of how huge the bets will/can be. A proper mathematical analysis can give you a good idea if the decision you're about to take in a particular scenario will be rewarding. You could possibly calculate how much your decision will bring in.

Comparing the pot odds to your odds can also help determine if staying in a hand is the right decision. With this quick math, you can find out if folding your flush draw is a good decision or if you could possibly complete it on the turn or river. Hence, the best mathematical analysts in fixed-limit hold'em usually end up as successful players.

Get Better

Just like fixed limit, no-limit hold'em also has a mathematical side that helps players make calculated risks and decisions. The only difference is that this aspect of the game is more crucial to fixed-limit hold'em.

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Real Money

Yet, gaining mastery of mathematical percentages and establishing a personal basis for your starting hands will certainly make you a better player in no-limit hold'em as well. Since players absolutely need to learn to get their maths right, a fixed limit player who is making the transition into no-limit would come in with the advantage of being great at analyzing the game mathematically. My point is that a fixed limit player won't have as much trouble making a transition to no-limit. Whereas, no-limit players who want to transition into fixed limit have their work cut out for them.

Texas No-limit & Texas Fixed LimitHold'em: Which is Better?

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Winnings

There is no way to tell which version of Texas hold'em is the better of the two since they both have their advantages and disadvantages. There are players who prefer no-limit hold'em while some other players would rather play fixed limit, it is a personal choice.

If you're trying to work out which version would suit you, you need to analyze your skills to see where you'd fit in. The general belief amongst experienced poker players is that fixed limit is a safer ground to begin your Texas Hold'em journey because you're less likely to lose a lot of money as a result of its betting limit. But then when you decide to switch to no-limit, which you most likely will, you will need to invest time into learning different playing style.

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Table

Yet, the maths required to become a good player in fixed limit is no piece of cake. Therefore, there are several key elements to consider before choosing your preferred Texas Hold'em variation. If you're great at the mathematical analysis part of Texas Hold'em, you're highly likely to become more successful playing fixed-limit hold'em, but if maths is not your strong suit, then you may want to stick with no-limit. Also, if you're the kind of player that prefers an exciting game, you indeed would find more joy playing no-limit.

The best way to learn math in depth that is a must to become a winning player is to watch the poker pros do the math for you, so you learn how it is done the right way. I speak from personal experience. You can waste hundreds of hours figuring the math out. Or you can join a poker coaching website for free, where the math has been done for you, and you are shown by professional players what is the optimal way to play individual hands.

Conclusion

Difference Between No Limit And Limit Poker Winnings

One thing you may have noticed is that thedifference between both versions is not necessarily huge. The gameplay isbasically the same with a few changes in the rules, which may also affect gamestrategy as well. With the above information, you should be able to distinguishbetween fixed limit hold'em and no-limit hold'em.