Learning NL Holdem

In my poker career, I've primarily been a limit player, with no-limit sit and go and no limit tournament play as well. I've dabbled in no limit cash play, but it is quite a departure from tournament strategy (at least my tournament strategy) that it never particularly interested me in taking up. But after a recent run of playing limit a month or two ago, the mechanical nature of the game, and the lack of creativity started to get on my nerves. After a few recent trips to the casino, a trip to Vegas, as well as discussing the game with Sonny and his recent run of success at No Limit, it has become clear to me that no-limit is where the money is. Limit seems to be a dying game online as well as in the casino.

My take on limit is that you try to capitalize on mistakes, or make your opponent make a mistake. The thing is, all of the mistakes are generally small mistakes, and it takes a long time for the "long run" to kick in. In my brief no-limit experience, it's a game of forcing your opponents into making big mistakes. It's also a game of hand reading. The part I enjoy the most is reading the hand an opponent is on, and selecting a bet size or line of play that makes my opponent do what I want him to do (whether it be call, raise, or fold). It's a game of minimizing your losses, and not getting carried away with one pair hands. Pocket aces are the best hand, but can be quite weak after the flop if facing a big bet or raise, as it doesn't have a lot of room to improve.

The area that I needed the most improvement right off the bat was recognizing that these one pair hands are not very strong after the flop facing resistance. Same goes for top pair (whether it be with top kicker or good kicker). That change is something I have done for the most part, but is still a potential leak that must be fought, especially considering my limit or SNG background.

The other main thing that I need to work on is blind defense...as in not doing it with marginal hands. In limit holdem stealing blinds is an integral part of the game, but in no-limit the blinds are so small relative to your stack size (sometimes less than 1% of your stack) that it is hardly worth chasing.

A few weeks ago I jumped into Pokerstars playing the 1/2 NL game (max buy-in of $200). I am actually amazed at how much can be won at this game. I am averaging over $50/hour, playing only two tables at a time. Granted this is a small sample size, but with proper game selection, and good play I think a rate close to this is attainable.

The plan right now is to get at least 10K hands in at 1/2, then move up to 2/4 (assuming my bankroll has increased nicely as a result of this). Following the change, I will stay at that level for 10K hands. Some of these numbers may change as I grow more comfortable with the style and amount of money, but I will set a minimum of 5K hands at the level before I move on to the next level.