The Most Popular Form of the Game:

If you've spent any time playing Texas Hold'em or even reading about it, then you probably already know that no limit Texas Hold'em is the most popular and publicized form of this challenging and exciting game. It is featured on all of the big tournaments, such as the World Poker Tour and even on ESPN broadcasts. People love no limit it, because it gives them the opportunity to win big and to play in a heart-pounding, serious risk kind of way. In short, it's not for the faint of heart or for the new players. This is a game of serious technicalities. If you make one small mistake, you can set yourself back by quite a few bets. Making a big mistake, however, can cause you to lose everything in one fell swoop. If, after reading all this, you're still up to the challenge of playing no limit Texas Hold'em, it's important that you understand the differences between this and traditional Texas Hold'em.

Limit Texas Hold'em Vs. No Limit Texas Hold'em:

First of all, what it takes to win limit Texas Hold'em is simple. All you need is to have the best possible hand. Even if you don't win a round, you can wait for better cards, miss a flop, and then reap the benefits. In no limits, however, your focus has to be on playing your hand in a way that causes your opponent to misinterpret your motivations and lose his or her entire stack.

Furthermore, you can make a few mistakes in limit Texas Hold'em and still come out a winner. This is not so with the no limit version. Every move counts, so you'll need to think and act very cautiously. However, if you are able to do this, you can reap some serious rewards. In this style of the game, you can steal all the chips with one clever move; just bear in mind that your opponent can too.

Bluffing is also an important skill to master in no limit Texas Hold'em. While it can be used to some degree in limit varieties of the game, it comes in handy a lot more often here. Hand reading skills are equally important. They can help you know when to bluff and when it might just be time to walk away.

Finally, limits is a game that anybody can play. Dumb luck will swoop in and save you much of the time. No Limits, however, is a game for experienced and knowledgeable players. Don't even attempt it until you've devoted a lot of time and study, often years worth, to understanding the game and testing out various strategies and techniques. If you don't feel that you're up to the challenge of a no limit game, go with your instincts. Practice as often as possible, learn as much as you can, and only attempt a no limit game when you feel you're truly ready.