Getting Your Feet Wet In No Limit Texas Hold’em

June 7th, 2008

New day, new blog post. Today, I’m going to give you a quick crash course on an important piece of No-Limit Hold’em. You may already play the game. Or, you may be too intimidated to dive in. Whichever the case, what you’re about to read is going to be valuable to you. I’m going to take you through a critical part of the game. This is the stuff that cause rookies to self-destruct at the table.

A lot of poker players (especially beginners) are drawn to fixed limit games. There’s nothing wrong with that. You can limit your losses and last awhile at the table. But, if you have the skills and want to. build a quick bankroll, you need to be on a no limit table. Now, understand something… No Limit Hold’em may be played the same way as a fixed limit game, but it’s a completely different beast. The fact that you can bet whatever you have on the table can create massive wins or losses. So, let’s get down to it.

The Critical Element Of No Limit Texas Hold’em

You need to know your opponents. If you don’t know the types of players you’re sitting with at a no limit table, save some money for the slots. You’re going to be blown off the table. That said, once you identify the type of people you’re betting against, you can become the predator. Here are the main types of opponents you need to keep your eyes peeled for.

You’re going to see 3 or 4 types of players on a no limit table. The only thing that really makes them different from each other is how aggressively they play. Some play a lot of hands and bet like maniacs. Others play conservatively and bet like they’re playing with their rent money. Here are the main player types…

Tight-Passive Players - These are the sissies of the table. They don’t play a lot of hands in a showdown and they bet conservatively. No offense if you’re a tight-aggressive player yourself. They’re common. While they can build a bankroll at a low-limit table, they’re generally shark food at the No Limit Hold’em games.

Loose-Passive Players - These players are their own worst enemy. They depend on others bluffing into their hands (easy to spot and leverage after awhile). The way they do this is to keep calling while holding a semi-strong hand. You can take advantage of their style by betting competitively when you’re holding a stronger hand. These players buckle easily.

Tight-Aggressive Players - This is usually how I play. It’s not a flawless style. But, if you have a strong stomach, you can boost your bankroll quickly. Wait for a great hand. Then, ride it to the finish. Throw your chips into it. Win big, lose big. That’s the nature of this style.

Loose-Aggressive Players - Loose aggressive players are some of the most dangerous people to play with. Sometimes, they’ll bet like a madman and get cornered easily. If that happens, consider them your prey. Most times, though, they play a lot of hands and buy shares of tons of pots. Because they’re betting so much, it’ll seem like they’re losing a lot. But, if you keep an eye on their chips, you’ll notice the pile getting bigger throughout the night. Keep your guard up around this type of player. Don’t be drawn in by their betting.

Getting Ready For Battle

Those are the 4 types of players you’ll see most often on the No Limit Hold’em table. Generally, the passive betters are easier to drain of their chips than aggressive betters. It’s not always the case, but you’ll notice the same trend after awhile.

I usually encourage people to develop a tight-aggressive style. Play fewer hands, but ride the strong ones. It’s not for everyone. You can lose a lot of chips in a showdown. The main thing is that you understand who you’re playing against. Some players will suck you in and bleed you dry if you’re not careful. Know the players. Develop your strategy. Hone your skills. Do that and you’ll be fine.