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Answer:

Thanks for the question. Here are a few points about switching over:

1. Some of the hands are going to change in value from no limit to limit holdem. In no limit holdem, pocket pairs are much stronger since you have the ability to shut the opponent out from drawing to his overcards. In limit holdem, a hand like 88 is most likely going to need to improve since it is likely you'll have multiple opponents. Even hands like TT and JJ, which are pretty strong, need to hit a good flop to win in a low limit holdem game. These hands are still playable, you just need to change the way you think you'll win with them.

2. In limit holdem against loose players, you'll need to be taking more flops and folding more on the flop than in no limit holdem. In NL, usually when you raise preflop, your hand commitment is much higher than in limit holdem. For example, even if you miss the flop with AK in no limit against one player, the chance of winning that hand is still pretty good. It is rare you'll end up pushing everyone out on the flop in limit holdem because you'll have more opponents and the bet is relatively little compared to the pot. I would recommend not trying to push hands as much and just value betting more. Bet when you have something and check when you don't (most of the time).

3. Fancy play isn't really needed. If you flop something, get the money in the pot when you have the best hand. For example, if you have a set and you are in early position and no one raised preflop (if they did raise preflop, they usually follow up on the flop with a bet), then just bet it. Don't always try to slow play and check raise on the turn. The reason is that often times players just bet the flop, then check the turn if someone called. Or a scare card can hit on the turn and you won't get any callers or bettors. Remember that the majority of the players will be more than happy to call with next to nothing, so there is no danger in scaring them off by betting too soon with a strong hand.

4. Learn the signs of when you are beat. It is really rare for players to try to run a bluff against multiple players on the turn or river. A check raise against multiple players on the big betting rounds means that they have a strong hand. If you can avoid paying off every hand that catches up, you'll have an easier time winning.

5. In no limit holdem, you play actually very few hands all the way through and you don't have as many decisions. You win less times and you lose less times. In limit holdem, it is ok to be involved in more pots, in both winning and losing. You'll have draws miss, other people hit their draws against you, you get run down, you catch other players, etc. This is normal.

6. Learn how to play the suited connectors and other cards in volume pots. You probably already know how to do that in no limit holdem. Say if a few people limp in, or put in one raise before you, and you have a hand like 76s, it is fine to call. The same would be true for if you have a hand like 33 or 55. You just take the flop and hope for the best, then fold if you miss.

7. You mentioned calling and how you rarely do that in no limit holdem. Generally speaking, being on the receiving end of everyone's bets is a sign that you aren't playing good enough cards; all though, there are plenty of times when it is correct to just call. You can use your no limit holdem experience, specifically comparing the size of the pot with the bet, to help you decide when you should call and when you shouldn't. For example, the pot may be really large and you missed your draw, but you hit a pair against the preflop raiser. Most likely he does have you beat but it would be a bigger mistake to lose the whole pot than it would be to just call one more bet.

8. Raising and betting patterns are different in limit than in no limit holdem. I would suggest you watch the game carefully and try to figure out if the player's preflop raises actually mean anything. For one player, a reraise preflop could mean minimum AK, but for someone else it come mean nothing, even 94off. In loose low limit games, players routinely cap the betting preflop with very little hand strength. When you first start playing, this can be confusing. Your job will be to flag these players so you don't fold your middle range hands just because they raise; hands like KQ or AJ, etc.

9. Draws. In a low limit game, you are going to have to hit your draw to win most of the time. And if that is true, generally you want as many opponents in with you when you hit the draw to maximize your earnings. When you are upfront, I would check and call to make sure no one folds. When you are in the back, you can either call or raise, whichever keeps the most of the players in the pot. You are trying to avoid putting in a raise to early with the draw and cutting them off.

10. Position. In loose low limit games, where tons of players see the flop and play horribly after, you will make the most money if you can see the flop a lot. You take a suited connector to the flop and then fold if you miss. The general idea in most poker books is to base your hand strength on where you are seated. You don't play T9s in early position, but you would in late. I don't take that approach. I think a better idea is to base your positional perspective on how previous hands have gone -- basically the tone of the game. If you've seen 5+ players see the flop on the last few hands, chances are the next hand won't be much different. T9s does well in a pot with 5+ players, so I would recommend just limping in with it. The same goes for other hands that need a number of players in to make them worthwhile, like small pocket pairs. Just pay attention to the tone of the game. If it tightens back up, you can tighten up too. Otherwise, try to just play the fishing game.

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