A shorthand limit game is one in which there are fewer players at the poker table, typically 5 players or less.  Like Low Limit games there is a limit on the amount you can bet each round.  When playing shorthand limit games there will be a lower limit for the first 2 betting rounds which will then increase to usually double that of the lower limit for the remaining rounds of betting.  Head’s up games in which only two players battle it out for the pot are also a type of shorthand game.  In shorthand games the slim number of those at the table is going to affect the way you need to play. 

Shorthand poker requires careful selection of hands played and reading opponents well so you won’t end up the short stack.  If you are the short stack at a shorthanded table you are much more at risk to have others try to pressure you with high bets.  You’ll also have to protect your blinds more in this type of game or you risk having the unplayed blinds reduce your stack.  This requires you to open up your tight game a bit, especially from the blind positions. 

Note here, it doesn’t mean to just chase everything but play cards that are still good though not as good as you might normally play before the flop.  Players that are better at calculating card odds will have the advantage in shorthand games.  So beginners should be aware that this aspect can increase the skill level gap further. 

And like Low Limit games it will be harder to pressure folds when players are opening up their games to looser play.  Aggressive players might experience problems here and quickly lose their stack if they can’t adjust their game.  Only get aggressive with the bets when you have a really strong hand and only when you’ve got other players chasing the pot.

Your poker odds calculations should be put to use when you are working with a drawing hand.  When playing looser games drawing hands can be a death trap as you wait for that right card to fall on the board.  Don’t ignore the odds to how likely you are to actually get the card you need.  If the size of the pot isn’t in line with your odds of winning just let that one go and wait for the next hand instead of feeding the pot that will go to someone else.

If you haven’t quite yet learned to read your table hold off on the shorthand games.  It’s here that knowing whether the majority of players are passive or aggressive will really let you know how much you need to adjust your game when you’re playing more loosely.

            This is a similar limit type of poker, except there are more players than in shorthand.  Longhand Limit games have a full or nearly full table of 8-10 players.  It’s also called Full Ring Limit.  To begin with this game is going to take a long time getting action around the table so patience is key. 

With more players you don’t have to play as loose as with shorthand, however the good hands that you wait for aren’t going to carry as much weight.  In limit poker games, unlike no limit, when you get a really strong hand you can only raise it so far.

There’s added consideration to Longhand in that you must take into account that some games there might be many players in the hand while others have only a few.  How many are in the game is going to affect your style and the odds of the game.  So longhand games will take additional analysis and more adjustment in your game compared to shorthand.

 

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