Which is harder, Limit or NL?

[bholdr]

harder to understand? harder to win money at? more complex?

poor players last much longer at limit that no limit. experts have less risk for more profit at no limit. the edges that a good player has are smaller in limit. turn and river play is pretty straight foward in NL, but very complex in limit.

who knows? i do better at NL, so i'll say limit is harder for me.

[stonecoldnuts]

I would say limit is harder because the importance of maximizing profits and saving bets on later streets is magnified due to the fact that you can't double up in one hand. Every decision is crucial.

[Cactus Jack]

The reason I submitted this poll is to understand why people play what they play. I think NL is harder. It's more complex, requires more thought and sensitivity, and cojones. However, it appears that most people, esp fish, play NL, probably because that's what they see on TV.

However, I find NL easier because of said fish. In limit, they play and stay with anything. In NL, they go all in on anything. As someone said, poker and sex--people overestimate their ability at both. NL is where I see this the most. (No comment on the sex part, as I don't want any jealous husbands looking for me.)

CJ

[Reef]

seems to me like all the NL players are putting limit and vice versa

[Piers]

It depends of course, but for me at the moment no limit is harder. In limit all the bet sizes are the same amount, and everyone usually has enough money. This means you have less basic information to assimilate before making a decision. This is the critical factor when trying to max out the number of games ones playing.

[dark_avenger]

Really, I think it depends on what your definition of harder is. I've played both at various limits and I find that it's much easier for me to make a lot of money with a smaller long term variation at NL than limit simply due to the fact that bad players loose their money faster.

As far as mastery of the game goes though, i think NL is harder because I think it is a lot more important to get reads on your opponent and understand their playing style and how to exploit it.

I don't know about the rest of you, but multi-tabling 5 limit tables is no problem, but 2 or 3 NL tables is my max.

[bilyin]

You can learn how to play limit poker by reading books and practicing with software. So limit poker is without question easier.
Just because it is easier does mean it is not a good form of poker. I think limit poker is more fun.

[fimbulwinter]

NL: harder decisions
Limit: more decisions

what's all the hubbub, bub?

fim

[Cactus Jack]

[ QUOTE ]
You can learn how to play limit poker by reading books and practicing with software. So limit poker is without question easier.
Just because it is easier does mean it is not a good form of poker. I think limit poker is more fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's interesting. Most I've read say limit is not as much fun because it's grinding, playing the odds. Why do you find it more fun?

[Rudbaeck]

[ QUOTE ]
NL: harder decisions
Limit: more decisions

[/ QUOTE ]

I find NL to have easier decisions most of the time. The only part I really find tricky is suckering people into calling when they are way, way behind.