Fundamentals of Poker - Limit Texas Hold'em

• Poker Strategy Fixed Limit Definition
• Poker Strategy Fixed Limit Rules

Mason Malmuth

Limit was THE way to play Hold’em until the poker boom took off in the early to mid 2000s. Even until 2005, Limit Hold’em (abbreviated as LHE) was the cash game of choice because bad players don’t lose quickly and the game is lightning fast with big pots brewing.

Two Plus Two Magazine, Vol. 8, No. 12

1. The fundamental difference with Fixed Limit Poker strategy is that you can only bet one amount at any one time, and can only reraise a set number of times, per street. This limits the number of decisions available to you, and as a result there is usually a more definitive answer of whether a particular play is right or wrong.
2. It used to be the case that a lot of new players started out at limit poker, as the decisions that need to be made are definitely simpler. This guide will introduce you to Limit Omaha – If you are already at this level and would like to read more strategy then feel free to advance to our Fixed Limit Omaha strategy guide.
3. Still staying within the realm of poker’s most popular game of Texas Hold’em, Limit Hold’em (also referred to as Fixed-Limit Hold’em, or FLHE) encompasses a capped betting structure in the various rounds of gameplay (instead of allowing any player to go all-in whenever they please with however many chips are in front of them).

• General Guidelines
• Seven Card Stud
• Limit Texas Hold'em

Limit Texas hold ’em is deceptive. It appears easy to play, yet beneath that simple facade lies a game of extraordinary complexity. Many variables must be considered when making decisions, and figuring out the correct play is often difficult. So before we discuss specific hands and how they generally should be played, here are some tips that will help you determine the best course of action.

Know what the best possible hand is and how likely it is to be out.

With certain upcards, the potential for many different strong hands increases. With other upcards, however, the number of combinations is dramatically reduced. For example, if the board is the

Poker Strategy Fixed Limit Definition

no one can have a straight, a flush, or a full house. The best possible hand is three kings.

Whether someone is holding the best possible hand, which in the poker vernacular is referred to as “the nuts,” frequently can be determined by the number of players in the pot and the previous action. The more players there are and the more betting and raising that have taken place, the more likely it is that one of your opponents has the nuts.

Recognize when you hold the best possible hand.

Although this tip is actually a continuation of the one just given, its importance is such that it rates a separate listing. If you have the nuts and fail to recognize it, you will miss betting and raising opportunities which in turn will cost you money. And thinking you have the best possible hand when you don’t can be even more expensive. However, by paying close attention to the board, you will avoid making these costly errors.

As an example, if the board is the

and you hold ace-king, you can’t be beat. You therefore should get as much money as possible into the pot. But if the board shows the 3[diamond] instead of the 3[spade], you can lose to a flush and should proceed with caution.

Position is significant.

Texas hold ’em is known as a fixed-position game as opposed to a random-position game. In other words, the order in which the players act each round is predetermined, rather than determined by the strength of the exposed cards as it is in stud. We have already noted the advantage of acting last in poker. This means that you should be more selective of the hands you play in early position than of those you play in late position.

Don’t overrate suited hands.

Having two cards of the same suit definitely makes your hand better, but many beginning players tend to overrate the value of suited cards. In short, a hand like ten-six almost always should be thrown away, whether it’s suited or not.

High cards are much better than low cards.

It’s just as easy to make a pair when you have high cards as it is when you have low cards. If you hold the

your opponent has the

and both of you flop a pair, you have the better hand. Thus, you would prefer to have your hand made up of big cards.

Poker Strategy Fixed Limit Rules