Limit Versus No-Limit People

There's quite a bit written about the difference between playing limit and no-limit poker. However, the people who play these games on a regular basis have some things in common as well as many that are different.

For one thing, you will see the same people playing on a regular basis in either low-limit games or no-limit games. Sure, you will see no-limit players who are on a list waiting to play no-limit and passing time playing fixed-limit games. I used to do this until I learned that I was much more comfortable-and saved money-just waiting for a seat in a no-limit game.

It's a question of whom you want to spend time with. You can spend time with players who seldom risk, frequently chase, seldom fold, and always seem to suck out on the river. Or you can play with people who like to risk, play tight and aggressively, who are capable of being bluffed, and know how to lay down a hand that they think is beaten.

They say that "Birds of a feather flock together." That's probably more noticeable in people who play no-limit and limit cash games. Oh, by the way, you will find both kinds in tournament play-probably because the cost is regulated, even though you can lose all you chips at once. Still, the factors of safety and risk-taking are there.

You will find more chasers in low-limit cash games. Players who play no-limit tend to avoid chasing hands unless the implied odds are right for a chase. No-limit players generally pay more attention to reading hands and players than most low-limit players do. In low-limit cash games, you will find more loose players that follow more the rule of pot odds. In fact, you will find players who misunderstand pot odds and will stay to the bitter end as long as they are getting good pot odds, even if they know they are beaten.

I remember an expression used in tennis. It said that if you wanted to improve your game to "Always play with players who are better than you are." As in most other things, this is true in poker. However, you will find more inexperienced players in low-limit cash games. By playing more no-limit poker you are more apt to find players who are better than you. Just be careful and limit how much you invest while you are learning.

The biggest difference between limit and no-limit players may be the attention paid to position and hand values. In limit poker, position, while important, is not as important as in a no-limit game. As far as hands, big connectors such as, A-K, A-Q, and K-Q are worth less in no-limit games. That's because with such big connectors, players are likely to win small pots but lose large pots in a no-limit game. Not so in low-limit cash games-you can win and lose big pots with these hands. Big pairs may increase in value in no-limit games. In low-limit games big pairs are often beat by two smaller pairs.

What does this all say about the difference in people who play limit and no-limit? More people who like to take risks will be found in no-limit games and still they will wait until the time is right. In other words, when the implied pot-odds are right and they are in a position to bluff, the risk is more predictable in a no-limit game than in a low-limit game. Generally, look for looser player in low-limit games and tight/ aggressive players in no-limit games. That doesn't mean that you will always find these differences. In fact, when playing either game you hope a loose player will come in and run out of luck.

The fish become tight players in low-limit cash games and loose players in no-limit games. So, happy fishing!

Jim McKenna has been practicing psychotherapy for more than thirty-five years. His books include the acclaimed Beyond Tells: Power Poker Psychology, Beyond Bluffs: Master the Mysteries of Poker, and Beyond Traps: The Anatomy of Poker Success, all published by Kensington Press. Write to Jim@Jimmckenna-PhD.com.