A brief analysis of the pluses and minuses of certain poker games may help. Limit Holdem was once the single most popular game on the net. There are still many low and medium limit games being played and some $100/$200 games. So that the game remains one of the most accessible and prospective, and is likely to remain so for some time to come, especially since not many players rise to the levels of $20/$40.

There are beaucoup books written exclusively on limit games. The multitude and availability of the literature devoted to the game gives it a major advantage. The game is thoroughly studied and an apt student can learn much from these books along with experience at the table. The decision making process is not terribly complicated in limit hold’em and basic mathematical aptitude can lead to instant mental calculations while involved in a game.

The mathematical phenomenon of dispersion becomes less of a factor in limit games. Thus enabling even the rookiest of rookies with the worst cards at the table to occasionally be saved by dumb luck. For a dramatic reference to the particulars of dispersion, read Terry Pratchett’s Rincewind novels.

As a rule, any and all poker games are subject to the mathematical phenomenon of statistical dispersion, i.e. major losses are part of even the most expert player’s game, and it is this fact that stops folks from indulging in any game of poker. Limit poker is not as mentally intense as no-limit and tournament games, which involve high dispersion. You don’t need a lot of funding to play Limit Hold’em and like the large quantity of literature on the subject , there are computer programs specifically designed for limit poker – Poker Tracker and Poker Office will help low limit players especially. These programs can be used both during the game and after whenever an analysis of any part of the game is called for or to make statistical calculations.

About the only minus of limit holdem is the constantly growing number of well-trained, well-informed opponents. But that is the direct result of the pluses just listed and makes the game, though accessible, not as easily profitable as one might hope it to be. The chief source of income for poker rooms is the seemingly small rake deducted from the pot during each hand. Rooms therefore rely heavily not on the number of players in their rooms. But at the conclusion of a series of long games, the percentage of all hands played may reach surprisingly high sums and limit games against good players may result in near-zero or even negative gain.

Finally, limit holdem is not widespread offline, offers little exposure to the nonvirtual outside world, and lacks the aspects which make casino and club games so rich in important and memorable experience. Certainly, those who love the game find most memorable that which is the essence of poker – the combinations of cards; but just like talking face to face to a company of people is more memorable than chanting to a hundred “friends” in ICQ, so playing poker at an actual table of wood (rather than of 1024768 pixels) you can actually knock on (makes a nice bluff) makes for a more intense and exciting experience.