Playing low limit Texas Holdem can be both exciting and frustrating. Low limit games give new players a chance to experience the thrill of the game without risking their bank rolls. In low limit games, you will often find players with limited knowledge of basic strategy. However, this limited knowledge of strategy means you will also routinely be facing 6 or 7 opponents who will not fold their hand before the river card, regardless of the betting that is taking place. For this reason, you will generally need to show the best hand at the end to take home the money.

Our recent survey asked:

Playing $3/$6 limit holdem, you hold QQ in the small blind. 4 players have limped in ahead of you. What do you do?

When we talk about low limit holdem, we are referring to $2/$4 and $3/$6 games. As the limits rise, the skill of the players generally improves. In the $3/$6 example above, you can assume that there will be 6 players in the hand to see the flop regardless of whether you call or raise.

Poker authorities differ on the best strategy to play in this situation. Some say that your best play would be to call and see how the flop develops. This way you can get out cheaply if an overcard appears. Likewise, when no overcard appears, a bet on the flop may win the hand because there is less money in the pot and players will have less reason to chase with their pocket Ace or King. The other school of thought is that you can assume you have the best hand and should get as much money in the pot as you can. You can reevaluate your hand as community cards are shown, but you should bet when your hand is best.

Of those responding to the survey, only 1 person said they would fold in this situation. For everyone else, the vote was 4 to 1 favor of raising. Although both calling and raising would be an acceptable strategy, I side with those that would raise. Get your money into the pot when your hand is best, and reevaluate as play progresses.