General Advice
Low Limit Texas Holdem puts a limit on the amount that players can bet in each round of a game. For instance, in a $2-4 Limit Holdem game, players can only raise $2 each in the pre-flop and flop betting rounds. In the Turn and River rounds, players can only raise in $4 increments. Players are also limited to raising three times per game. This keeps the pot size down, which high rollers don't generally go for. However, Low Limit Texas Holdem games are great for players with small bankrolls who don't want to be forced into folding because the bet has been raised too high. Low Limit Holdem is also great for beginners who are just starting out in real money poker gambling.
Following is some general advice, tips and strategies for players who are new to Low Limit Holdem.
Buying Your Chips
When you purchase chips for your Low-Limit Holdem game, only purchase the number of chips that you would be willing to lose. Remember that poker is a form of entertainment; so many players feel that taking a loss of $30 or $40 in a night is well worth the entertainment value. This isn't to say that you will lose the money, but if you do you should be prepared to lose only enough that you can to shrug it off.
Money Management
Most Low Limit Holdem players aren't out to win the big bucks-hat's reserved for No Limit games. Rather, they play to have fun. Therefore, it is important to manage your money so that you can play for the longest time possible. When starting out, bet only as many chips as you would be willing to lose and make them last as long as you can.
You could easily go into a Texas Holdem game and raise on every hand, but this wouldn't be good money management. Learn which hands you should raise on and call and which you should fold on so that you can make the best decisions to manage your money.
Tight Play vs. Loose Play: Finding a Balance
The terms loose and tight play refer to different playing styles in Texas Holdem. A player who plays loose usually raises more often than he should and plays hands that give him very low odds and rely on luck over strategy. A tight player, on the other hand, plays according to a very strict rulebook-e will raise only when he truly believes he has the best hand and will fold on anything short of a high card or Ace/King combination.
When playing Low Limit Texas Holdem, it is important to find a healthy balance between tight and loose play. Playing too tight is predictable and playing too loose can lead you to quickly burn through your bankroll. By finding a balance between tight and loose you can keep your opponents on their toes and make the most of your poker bankroll.
Your Opponents
Poker is a social sport-ou are in competition against a number of other players, so it is important to keep an eye on your opponents. On which types of hands to they raise, call or fold? How does their early-game strategy differ from their strategy in the Turn and River rounds? Keep tabs on each of your opponents and you can predict their future moves in the game, so you can make an educated decision about how your hand measures up.
Knowing When to Bet or Raise
If you believe that you have the best hand in a game of Holdem then you should almost always raise. Raising increases the pot so that when you do win you will win more. Additionally, when you raise on a good hand it shows your opponents that you are confident and they may be inclined to fold, leaving you to win the pot.
Knowing When to Fold
A lot of players who play too loose continue to play with cards that are clearly not conducive to winning. Just as you should raise when you are confident that you have the highest hand, you should fold when you are pretty sure that other players have better hands than you. After all, if you stay in the game you will only continue to bet more and more money that you will most likely lose in the end.
The more you play Texas Holdem the better you will understand which hands you should bet or raise on and which you should fold.
Bluff with Caution
Many players pride themselves on their poker faces and bluffing capabilities. However, as a general rule of thumb you should bluff with caution. When bluffing, you should be relatively sure that none of the other players have high hands. The objective of bluffing is to get those players with so-so hands to fold, thinking that you have a better hand. If one of your opponents is holding a great hand, however, then he is unlikely to fold on your bluff, leaving you to lose.
Vary Your Play
Betting consistently in every game of Holdem is the greatest mistake of many Holdem players. If you always raise on the same high hands and always call when you have a so-so hand then your opponents will quickly discover your pattern. The last thing you want to be in poker is predictable. Therefore, it is important to vary your play. From time to time, bet or raise on "alling"? hands and call on hands that you would usually raise. Varying your play keeps your opponents guessing and can greatly improve your chances of winning in Texas Holdem.
The Kicker
Having a good kicker makes your hand a lot better. When you have a good side card to your hand, it greatly improves your odds of winning when another player shares your hand.
Know Your Starting Hands
One of the best pieces of advice that we can give Low Limit Texas Holdem players is to know your starting hands. Based on your two private cards you can use basic strategy to determine whether or not your should raise, call or fold.
Some of the best starting hands, which warrant raising, are Ace-Ace, King-King and Queen-Queen. Aces paired with Kings or Queens, particularly of the same suit, are also fantastic hands.
On the other hand, when your starting hand consists of two cards of different suits that are low in value or too far away from each other to create a straight then your chances of winning are slim. In this case you should call or may even want to fold.
