Finding Your Most Profitable Version of Poker
There is so much literature and theory flying around the Internet on No Limit Texas Holdem that new poker players could be forgiven for thinking that No Limit Holdem is the only poker game you can play. But like many other things, No Limit is chosen specifically for it’s excitement for a spectator and it is particularly suitable to television. Any poker player wishing to be a proficient poker exponent should consider the benefits of learning all of the games. It is possible that No Limit Holdem may not necessarily be your most profitable game out of all the different disciplines of Poker, so let’s look at some of the choices you have.
The game of choice before the Poker Boom was Limit Holdem. This is where bet sizing is taken out of the game as you only have a choice of betting a set amount of chips on each street. This demands from players an acute knowledge of current and potential hand strength and pot odds. As you cannot get your opponent to fold many draws this game is very much skill based. No Limit specialists can find limit Holdem boring due to the lack of big moves, and bluffing is done on a more subtle level. It takes longer to build a chip stack and Limit poker demands discipline and patience.
Pot Limit Omaha is becoming a very popular game online at present. There are some lively high stakes cash games happening right now that you can rail. This game demands discipline in terms of hand strength and you must have the heart to find yourselves in big pots with marginal hands. Unlike Holdem there is more flexibility in what starting hands you can play as you hold four hole cards but this does not make the game easier.
Learning the other disciplines of poker can help you in two main ways. The opportunity to play H.O.R.S.E events where five disciplines of poker are used throughout the tournament can give you an advantage of players who may be experts in three parts of the tournament but weak in two. Few players are good at all the games but for the players who are proficient big money can be made.
The second main benefit of being a good all round poker player is different aspects of one game can be used to help your No Limit game if this is your preferred poker variation. Learning the pot odds involved in limit will help you learn about position, patience and the maths behind drawing. You will also suffer your share of bad beats in Limit as opponents have better odds to draw for the miracle card. Omaha will teach you about overvaluing marginal hands. By having an overall understanding of poker your advantage on the No Limit tables can grow as you understand with more clarity the subtle parts of poker that can only be learned by trying other forms of the game.
Just because No Limit is what everyone seems to enjoy to play does not mean this is your best game. You may discover that when you try Omaha Hi-Lo Split you have a natural understanding of how to draw for the low hand and the mechanics behind splitting the pot with a low hand. For example, if your opponent plays strong high hands like full houses etc, in the right spots you can continue to split pots until you get a low straight that scoops the pot. Your understanding of strategy for the game can see you crush a Holdem specialist that overrates their ability to transfer to other games.
Try the Stud games, Omaha variations and even Draw Poker for a different outlook on poker. They are fun to play and can freshen up your approach if you are growing tired of grinding away at the No Limit tables. Even just trying something new can help your approach to your normal game as it activates your mind. Most online sites have lots of variations of games to play so have a go at some low stakes games and see if you can discover where your next million dollars will come from.