Howard Lederer
June 13, 2005
The recent poker explosion on TV and the Internet has created a flood
of new players who are serious about developing their
game. Sadly for them, television is sending a skewed
message. No-Limit Hold 'em is the game of choice when
the game is shown on TV, and it's easy to think there is
only one game out there. While no one would argue that
No-Limit makes for the most exciting television, there
are many dangers associated with playing only one game.
First, you run the risk of getting bored, and boredom
will lead to a stunting of your poker development.
Enthusiasm is a critical ingredient for a successful
poker career. When I spend time around the best poker
players in the world, the one thing that they all share
is a genuine love and passion for the game.
Next, you might be missing your true poker calling.
As it happens, my best game isn't No-Limit Hold 'em -
it's Limit Hold 'em. Had I not tried playing limit, I
would never have found the game I am best at.
There are reasons why all the biggest casinos in the
world feature multiple games. Stop by the big game at
the Bellagio in Las Vegas and you're liable to see
No-Limit and Limit, with games ranging from Seven-Card
Stud to Deuce-to-Seven Draw. The best players in the
world simply love to play poker. To deny themselves the
pleasure of playing some of the best forms of the game
would be unthinkable. They also know that if they play
just one game, the specialists in a particular game (who
are not nearly as good overall poker players) would be
able to sit at their game and win. If you want to climb
to the top of the poker world, you better become a great
poker generalist. If you insist on limiting yourself to
one game, you'll never make it.
Even if your ultimate goal is to become an
accomplished No-Limit Hold 'em player, I encourage you
to at least play a lot of Limit Hold 'em. Too many
No-Limit specialists get by with almost no post-flop
skills. To get good at limit Hold 'em, you will be
forced get more comfortable playing after the flop.
Getting free cards on fourth street and making close
value bets on fifth street are just two of the skills
you'll be working on. And those skills are transferable.
Developing these skills in limit Hold 'em will allow you
to play your hands with all your options available. And
your No-Limit results will improve dramatically.
Playing the other games will develop skills that will
simply make you a better poker player. Skills that have
subtle value in No-Limit Hold 'em are very important in
the other games. Acquiring these skills will have
profound effects on your No-Limit game, even though you
might not even be aware of their importance now.
Playing Seven-Card Stud will definitely teach you the
value of free cards. It is a fundamental skill necessary
to succeed at the game. In Pot-Limit Omaha you will
learn the power of position and the power of the
semi-bluff. Seven-Card Stud 8/Better is a game where you
need to learn how to narrow the field at the right time.
The number of players in a pot can make a hand go from a
fold to a raise. Razz? Well, if nothing else, it will
teach you how important patience can be when things
aren't going well.
The world of poker has a lot more to offer than
No-Limit Hold 'em. And if you start to explore that
world, I am confident you will enjoy the game more.
Getting good at each game will take time, so start out
small and read what you can. Have fun; a new world
awaits.
Howard Lederer
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