Limit Hold'em Poker

The classics never go out of style. Whether it’s movies, clothing or books, you’ll always see the classics front and centre with all the trendy stuff. Limit Hold’em poker is a classic (no pun intended) example of a classic. While No Limit Hold'em is the most popular form of poker right now, its popularity has only risen in the last few years. Limit Hold’em poker has been out there for a while, and will continue to be popular, even if its No Limit brother is currently taking centre stage. Both variations play by the same rules, with two hole cards dealt to each player, a flop, a turn and a river - the only difference comes with the way you’re allowed to bet.

If it’s true that what’s old is new again and everything comes back in style, then you might want to try something a bit different. Don’t let an oldie but goodie go to waste. Here you’ll find a quick guide to the differences you need to know if you feel like trying your luck at Limit Hold’em poker.

Compared to No-limit Hold’em, Limit is a more subtle form of poker. It’s also a great game for beginners to get a feel for the game and learn all its subtleties before investing large amounts of money. As suggested by it’s name, No-limit allows you to bet all your chips/cash at any time you want while Limit Hold’em poker limits you with two specified betting limits.

Limit poker is played mainly on cash games. A table’s name will usually indicate it’s betting limits. For example, a $2/4 table means the betting increments will be $2 and $4. The first amount is used as the limit for the first two rounds of betting, and the second number is used as the limit for the final two rounds of betting. Blinds for this table would be $1 (for the first two rounds) and $2 (for the final two rounds), as the big blind on a limit table is always the same size as the small bet.

Continuing with our $2/4 table, if you were the first player to bet, you may only bet $2. The next player to act can either fold, call or raise to a total amount of $4. If a third player wanted to re-raise, the total amount of their bet would be $6. This $2 limit applies to pre-flop and post-flop betting.

On the turn and river, the bet limit moves up to the higher bet limit (the amount for the final two round), which in this case would be $4.

The number of raises per round on a Limit Hold’em poker game is usually limited as well, often at four. Always make sure to find out what the limit is on your table before you begin play. 

Pot-limit Hold’Em falls somewhere in between No-limit Hold’Em and Limit Hold’Em. Like Limit, there is a cap on the amount you’re permitted to bet. Unlike Limit, however, on these tables, rather than fixed, pre-specified limits, the maximum amount of your bet is capped to however much is in the pot (that encompasses all the money in the pot and all the bets currently on the table, including any call you need to make before raising) at the time of making your bet.

The great thing about poker is, unlike other classics, like fashion, you don’t have to choose just one type per day. You can be Mr. Popularity in the morning with No-Limit Hold’Em and then come back for a classic afternoon with an old favorite that will challenge you in a different way.