Is it best to start playing PL?

[MortimerJazz]

I guess like a lot of new players who have been watching poker on TV, I jumped straight into playing NL games either with friends or online.

I've now come to the conclusion that I'd like to get a good grounding in the basics of poker to improve my game ... which is why I'm half way through reading Ed Miller's "Small Stakes Hold 'em"

I have to say I'm enjoying it a lot so far and have been learning a fair bit ... but the book deals with PL games rather than NL which has got me thinking that maybe I'd be better off applying the basics of the game in PL games before stepping up to NL.

What do you think?

[daven]

play limit first for a few thousand hands. Learn about pot odds. Post in the limit forum. Then move to nl - better game selection than at pl, and probably less complicated.

No-Limit is for people who have the balls to win or lose their entire stack on just one hand. Pot-Limit protects that, to a point and more so than Limit. If you want a game that plays like No-Limit Hold'em but lack the heart and courage to go "all-in" on any given hand, then Pot-Limit is the game for you.

[d0zer]

I really don't see much difference between PL and NL to be honest. Overbets aren't that common anyway & all else it does is reduce the size of a PFR by a 1/2BB & slightly cap post-flop overshoves, which if called in PL, usually mean both parties are going all-in anyway.

Also, I swear to god, PL tables generally seem softer.

[Robb]

I really don't see much difference between PL and NL to be honest. Overbets aren't that common anyway & all else it does is reduce the size of a PFR by a 1/2BB & slightly cap post-flop overshoves, which if called in PL, usually mean both parties are going all-in anyway.

Also, I swear to god, PL tables generally seem softer.

+1

Just this - play the game, level and style that best match your personality and natural poker gifts. I love to gambool. In my native poker state, I'm the furthest thing from a nit possible. So limit KILLS me with its need for tight, mathematically correct, boring (imo) play. Odd, though, since I'm a math geek - I started with limit thinking its mathematical precision would appeal to me. Honestly, I'd rather be an accountant than play limit.

Why do I inflict this boring life story on you?

I tried FR NLH, too, and didn't have enough nit in me. When I found 6max 10nl, I was in heaven. The game is fast, aggressive and loose enough that my 18/16/4 style (which is MUCH tighter than I played as a losing noobie a year ago) was tight enough to win big.

I still like PLO, PLO8, Stud, Stud8/E, HORSE, etc. I still play limit. I still play MTT's, SnG's - whatever. I like them all for various reasons, not the least of which is to learn more about poker in general, instead of NLH specifically.

Final thoughts.

Determine your own best style, one that emphasizes your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses. Pick PL, NL or Limit. Pick MTT's, SNG's, or cash. Pick Holdem, Omaha, Stud or hell even pick Crazy Pineapple if you can find enough games!! But pick something that you enjoy playing and that you are likely to have the skills to beat. Then work at it.

I have lost more money at most of the list above than I've won. When I wreck my bankroll "learning" about other games, I always return to NLH 6max to regrind my roll. Find your winning spot, and get good at it.

[d0zer]

When I wreck my bankroll "learning" about other games, I always return to NLH 6max to regrind my roll. Find your winning spot, and get good at it.

Heh.

I've spent a lot of money 'learning' how to play 6-max & HU....