why do people play limit hold em?
 

I always hear people say that in nl you can generate much larger edges for yourself and punich opponents etc etc. so why play limit?? please i dont wanna get flamed i dont want this to turn into a fight between limit and nl players. Im just making a statment ( if you will) about limit and nl. and how nl seems more profitable.

Re: why do people play limit hold em?
 

Firstly, I don't play limit at all.

Why do people play limit hold 'em? Several reasons come to mind.

1. Some people don't feel comfortable having an entire stack of chips at risk on one hand or one bad beat.

2. Limit is much more analytical/math oriented than NL, which is a hybrid science/art. This isn't to say that limit is 100% science, however.

3. You play more hands in limit poker (well, you're supposed to be tighter in NL anyways!) - some action junkies just want to play, period.

4. Specific to online play - limit is probably much easier to multi-table and grind out hands for extended periods of time. Again, I'm not saying that limit is a robotic game, but the decisions you are required to make are usually not as complex than in NL, and thus, you can handle more of them at once.

5. Practice. More hands played = more experience at hand reading. Limit players have a lot of potential to be successful at NL when they make the switch. I imagine it's harder to transisition to limit after playing NL poker.

Re: why do people play limit hold em?
 

Because a lot of the time this is the only game that a casino will spread. They have an interest in protecting the fish and the fish get punished much harder in NL than limit. This is also why a lot of the time buyins are capped at ridiculous amounts.

As for why would a good player play limit over no limit? Usually it's because they are uncomfortable with having their stack at risk on every single hand. Limit also allows you to be in the action much more often, be it drawing, betting, and raising. No limit is a game of waiting for a very profitable opportunity and exploiting it to the fullest extent.

Re: why do people play limit hold em?
 

Hi jordiepop,

When I first started, I played, NL cash games and tourneys exclusively. But after some time I transitioned to limit, and I enjoy it much more. I believe that I am the first person to respond to this post who prefers limit, and I will explain my rationale.

First, I assure you it has nothing to do with risking an entire stack on one hand. Poker sites offer games any where from NL games with a $5 buy-in to limit games with blinds of $100/$200. An astute gambler should be able to find a spread online he is comfortable with regardless of game type.

Second, Dodgball88 made a very valid statement about the analytical/math background of limit. Some hands in NL are extremely valuable because of the tremendous implied odds. In limit this is not the case. If every round is capped, an opponent still only puts in 12bb (or $24 in a $1/$2 game). Many people new to limit simply don't grasp this concept and how it impacts specific hands.

Third, I have found my personal variance to be lower in limit. Although, I am by no means an expert, my theory is that in NL a villian can play poorly, make bad calls and win my entire stack based on a suck out. Conversely, in limit if I am in the same situation of having very good, but not nut hand I can merely go for a cheap showdown. This means I get the bonus of relatively big pots when I have a great hand, and some protection to keep the pot smaller with marginal hands assuming my opponent is trying to make the pot large. Also, heads up I know exactly how much it will cost to draw a card since it can never cost me more than a single bet. Remember, the limited bet size affects your opponent as much as it does you.

Fourth, I am not a professional player so winning the most money per hour is not the most important thing to me. I play poker for the enjoyment, and I enjoy limit more. At the live casinos, there seems to be more talking, socializing at the low limit tables. None of the players there have any real chance of earning substantial money, but it is a fantastic way to spend an evening with some friends.

Fifth, I will not comment on which is more profitable because I don't consider myself an expert player in either. But, I do hope you will consider that for some people profit isn't the only thing to consider when selecting a poker game.

Just my two cents,

Leo

Re: why do people play limit hold em?
 

A large proprtion of many people's profits come from rakeback and bonus.

Playing limit clears bonuses quicker and generates much more rakeback - and since you can play more tables, this amount is increased further.

Re: why do people play limit hold em?
 

Regardless of all that you become a bit of a killer at NL if you learn Limit - I played NL first and then limit, I play a much better NL game since.

Re: why do people play limit hold em?
 

Dogballs and kimchi have pretty much summarised the reasons why I play limit.

Basically for me, limit is a rich and complex game and I enjoy it. There is definitely value to be had in other variants of the game since it can renew your poker spark, give you new perspective and be fun and profitable too. However I do feel that certain people are just more suited for certain games.

Re: why do people play limit hold em?
 

I can play limit on autopilot - Outs, pot odds, raise/fold/call.

In NL, if my mind wanders even for a few seconds, I can make a mistake that can cost me my entire stack.

Most of the time I like being able to play on autopilot. Particularly when I'm playing live with friends. I can shoot the bull, have a beer or two, and the most my friends can possibly loose to me is $50.00. Each. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

But when I'm in the mood to play for money, or if I want to play poker, then I play NL.

I'm not saying limit isn't real poker. It is. But limit is a card game. Limit is fun. NL is war.

Re: why do people play limit hold em?
 

Limit lets fish play alot longer than NL. They can play alot more loosely which is what they like, and not go broke as fast.

Also quite often a noob's "call call call" mentality can be technically correct in a very loose game with large pots.

So fish lose their money a dribble at a time, to good players and to the rake.

As for good players, limit involves alot fewer "really tough" decisions than NL. A large portion of the time there is a clear correct way to play a hand (full ring anyway, shorthanded and head's up is a different story). Sure there are gray areas and hands that can be played slightly different, but they are worth a bet or two here or there (and they of course add up long run).

This enables a good player to play very "mechanically" and generate a profit over the long run. This is why with the aide of software programs people easily 9+ table limit tables.

Re: why do people play limit hold em?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Playing limit clears bonuses quicker and generates much more rakeback - and since you can play more tables, this amount is increased further.

[/ QUOTE ]
... which in turn makes limit a great game to both, build your bankroll and learn some of the most important basics (odds'n'outs).
Furthermore, you encounter spots where counter-intuitive play is more profitable than straight forward play, which also deepens your understanding of the game.