Introducing No Limit Texas Hold 'em

The basics of No Limit Texas Hold 'em poker require you have already went over the basics of the more standard, Limit Texas Hold 'em poker. Tournament style and aggressive play are the keys for this game.

Topics Addressed

General
The Difference
The Skills

*Previously Required Knowledge

This guide will acquaint you with the game of No Limit Texas Hold 'em poker, also referred to as NL Texas hold 'em. It would regularly be considered a beginner's level game, but is not classified as such. The reason for this is that the game is simply not suitable for beginners. Additional, more advanced strategy and game guides could be found elsewhere in the Guides section on the page, as well as at the Discussion Forum dedicated to poker talk.

Instructions

Step One

Popular at tournaments, and at online poker rooms, more so than at regular casinos, No Limit Texas Hold 'em is based on players busting and new players joining at a fast rate. With such fast tempo, high premium, tight and aggressive game style, No Limit Texas Hold'em is a high skills game. Moreover, mastering the cards is not enough, and players must play their opponents.

Step Two

No Limit Texas Hold 'em differs from regular, Limit Texas Hold 'em in both position and hand value. Whereas position matters in the latter, it matters to an even greater degree in No Limit Texas Hold 'em. Decisions made may trap the next player and win you their entire stack, not only a bet. This consideration of your position and of your opponents spills over to the amount of money the players have on the table, which affects directly how the game is played.

Step Three

Playing every hand could pay off, for players who are good at the game. However, playing only some of the hands (as few as 15% of them), may win the player an equal amount. The keys for a good No Limit Texas Hold'em player are therefore discipline in hand selection. It is equally important to pick the right table, one that draws the kind of players you want to play against and the wagers you want to place (and win). It almost goes without saying, but No Limit Texas Hold 'em, as a game fit for more experienced non-beginner players, requires courage to bet and to call down equally.