Shorthanded Limit Holdem: Playable Hands

While the big difference between short handed Limit Holdem and the full game may be only the number of players, this fact alone is something that can spell a big difference, particularly in the type of hands that you will need to play in order to win.

As an example, in a full handed game, your Limit Holdem strategy, especially in the pre flop, is to bet and raise with AA, KK and AKs, but not with any other hands. Other hands you will either limp with or even fold, depending on the table.

However, in short handed Limit Holdem games, you should feel comfortable about playing hands like King/Ten, Queen/Ten or even King/Jack. The reason is that of simple pot odds. With fewer players in the game it often means that there will be less chances of anyone else holding paint or Ace cards that match or exceed that of which you are holding.

However, while this is the case, you should also try to include in your short handed Limit Holdem strategy the type of game that is being played on the table. For example, if the game is populated by tight players, then you may want to be more selective in the hands that you are going to play.

The reason is that the other short handed Limit Holdem players will likely only play premium hands. This does not happen often in short handed games, but it can, so you should evaluate the situation carefully.

Suited connectors, quite powerful in Limit and No Limit Holdem games, are not quite as strong in short handed versions of the game. You will want to make sure that the pot is large, because these cards can be very hard to hit. This is something that you will have to consider, and also the number of players that remain in the hand. The more the players, the greater the odds increase in its favor.

The playable hands in short handed Limit Holdem can be quite complex to handle, and certainly plenty of considerations have to be mulled over. However, with the experience that you will gain, coupled with the strategies that have been outlined above, it will be easier for you to make the proper decisions.

It simply requires patience on your part, and a willingness to go over and analyze the information as it becomes available to you on the Poker table. This will of course translate into victories and bigger money.