Low Limit Poker
Low limit Texas Holdem poker games are usually
defined as games that start at about $.50/$1 to
$3/$6 betting structure. There are even games
lower than this. You can find games online as
low as $.02/$.04. These are referred to as
micro-limit games.
I personally lump them in with low-limit games.
You’ll usually find total beginners at the
lowest levels and at each step of the way you'll
see players who are a little better. By the
time you work your way up to the $3/$6 level you
should be up against some pretty good
competition. The low-limit strategy discussed
here also applies to the micro-limit levels.
Low Limit Poker Strategy
Not everybody can afford to play poker for
thousands of dollars. Before you ever think
about doing that you should be playing low limit
poker. Unfortunately there is quite a big
difference between the two as far as strategy
goes. The type of people that play low limit
poker are not anywhere near the same as the ones
that play high stakes poker. Both of these games
are two completely different beasts.
Understanding your Competition
Keep in mind that there are always exceptions,
but you have to be able to understand the
majority of your competition. The players that
are going to be playing low limit poker are
generally not going to be very good. The
competition is usually fairly loose and pretty
weak. Most players are passive and you will be
able to take advantage of them. Knowing your
competition is the first thing you need to do in
order to successfully beat low limit poker. It
will vary from table to table; but most of it
will be the same.
Aggressive/Tight
What a lot of people do not realize is that you
can be tight and aggressive at the same time.
This is the type of poker that you want to play
when you are at a low stakes table. Most of the
times you are not going to have any problem
getting paid off in a low limit game. You can
sit there all night without playing any hands
and when it comes time to getting a huge hand;
people will still pay you off. The reason is
because people are just not good. They do not
think about reading players and keeping track of
what is going on. The only thing they are
worried about is their cards.
When you play this style of poker you want to
play only a few hands and be very selective.
When you do play those hands you want to make
sure you play them aggressively. You do not want
to play a lot of hands but when you; you should
be making the point that you are there. Every
chance you have to bet; you should bet. If you
have a chance to raise, then you should raise.
So while you are going to be tight before the
flop; you want to be very aggressive after the
flop.
A lot of the players that will be playing at low
limit tables are going to be new players. Keep
in mind that they may do some dumb things and
make some bad decisions. Most of the time you
will be able to take advantage of that, but
sometimes it can cause you to get into some
trouble. When you get a bad beat you have to be
able to shake it off and not worry about it.
Remember that most of the time you are going to
end up making money from those bad plays not
losing it. You will end up making money in the
long run, which is the idea. |
