Ten years or so ago, no-limit poker was a game that only a few gambling casinos operated. The game was the exclusive property of a small number of poker players who had deep pockets and big bankrolls.
Players like Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Barry Johnson, Johnny Moss and Phil Hellmuth played it because they had the money and the knowledge of how to play the game.
Binion's Horseshoe, for example, only had one no-limit Texas Hold'em game operating for many years. Benny Binion was shrewd and practical when I asked him why he didn't spread more no-limit and pot-limit games.
'Son, I have to keep my dealers working,' Benny said. 'No-limit and pot-limit poker just don't work for the average player. Their bankrolls aren't big enough. These players will be eaten alive by the pros. The game breaks up and I have to send my dealers home. I don't want to do that.'
'Limit poker is good for the average poker player. If they feel they are good enough, they can always step up to a higher limit game. But they won't be risking their bankroll on a single hand when they do it.'
Everything changed, of course, when the under-the-table camera was invented and people could see how the pros played their cards. As the World Series of Poker grew more popular, more players -- people with money -- began emerging. Greed took over.
Players began thinking, 'Who needs $4-8 Hold'em, even with a kill. Think of all the money you can win playing no-limit.'
Or lose.
Today it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find a good limit poker game in a growing number of casinos and card rooms. When you ask the poker room management about it, they glibly say they will spread any game the players want. However, they rarely take the initiative by offering limit poker or limit tournaments, for that matter.
I have decided to give up no-limit Texas Hold'em. The game has simply become too dangerous for any player with a limited bankroll.
I will still play no-limit poker tournaments. However, I believe limit poker tournaments are more interesting and give the average player a chance to make the final table. And that is where the money is.
Omaha High-Low as well as seven card stud high-low are increasing in popularity because the majority of the games are limit.
One player said, 'I was playing pot-limit Omaha High-Low the other night and had accumulated a big pile of chips. Then I got caught between two raisers whom I suspect were partners. They literally wiped me out in just two hands.
'It was an awful experience and it really shattered my appreciation and love for the game.'
When you play a no-limit tournament, you start out with anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 in chips. That's a lot better than sitting down in a no-limit game and buying in for $100 or $200.
Poker must remain a social, civilized game that doesn't become the property of professionals who are driven by greed. They use the power of their big stacks to intimidate players who have less experience playing high stakes poker.
I have heard some horror stories about players who trapped themselves in no-limit or pot-limit games. These players found themselves in deep waters. They should have gotten out, but pride, inexperience and greed made them stay in until their money was all gone.
The Aria Casino in Las Vegas is one major casino along with The Orleans that offer limit poker. I highly recommend these casinos and card rooms over the ones that only offer no-limit. If enough players demand limit games, they will get what they want and not what the poker room management wants them to play.
Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.
(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).
