Poker Limits -No-limit, Pot limit and Table limits.
Poker betting is an important part of the game and players must be aware of the different forms of betting. While there are a few different betting types in use they are all part of only three larger categories; Pot Limit, Limit, and No-limit betting. As a player you should decide on which type of game to join by analyzing your feeling on; your skill level, you tolerance to risk, and your finances.
Pot Limit
Pot limit games limit a player as to how much he/she can raise to the amount in the pot at the time the bet is to be made. The outcome of this is that lower betting occurs in the earlier rounds when the pot is small and the betting gets higher with each betting round as the pot grows. In pot limit poker the amount that can be bet includes the pot on the table plus the all bets on the table plus the amount a player must call before being allowed to raise. This is a little tricky to understand, so let's look at a case where three players are at the table and the pot contains $15 at the start of the betting.
- Player 1 bets the maximum allowed the $15 in the pot (the pot limit). The pot now holds $30. Player 1 has contributed $15 to the pot.
- Player 2 calls costing him/her $15 so the pot now contains $45 and raises the maximum allowed $45. The pot now holds $90. Player 2 has contributed $60 to the pot.
- Player 3 calls costing him/her $60 so the pot now contains $150 and raises the maximum allowed $150. The pot now holds $300. Player 3 has contributed $210 to the pot.
- Player 1 calls costing him $195 but doesn't raise. The pot now holds $495. Player 1 has contributed $210 to the pot.
- Player 2 calls costing him/her $150 but doesn't raise. The pot now holds $645. Player 2 has contributed $210 to the pot.
- Now all the players have contributed equally to the pot ($210) and if no one else raises they play the hand.
Notice how quickly the pot grows. In this example we only had one bet and two pot-sized raises and the pot grew from $15 to $645. There usually is no limit to the number of rounds of betting allowed, unlike in table limit betting, so the pot can become very large fairly quickly. A Player must understand this and feel comfortable with large betting rounds if he/she is to be successful playing pot limit poker.
Table Limit (Limit)
Although no-limit poker games are popular the table limit poker game is still the most common form of poker played at poker rooms. In table limit poker the amount that can be bet is limited as is the number of time a bet can be raised. When playing a $2/$4 table the betting is limited to $2 for the pre-flop and flop rounds and $4 for the turn and river rounds. Further the largest bet you will have to call is limited to the original bet plus three raises, $8 for the early rounds and $16 for the later rounds. This set betting pattern results in more predictable play including much less bluffing during the game. Also as players are not allowed to make a large end of the hand bets they have to bet early in the round if they want to maximize the size of the pot. All of this makes it easier on players as table limit poker is the more predictable of the three limit types to choose from.
No Limit Betting
Many people not familiar with the game of poker think that no-limit poker is the only type of poker played as this is the type normally televised in events like the World Series of Poker Tournament. When no-limit betting is allowed in a game of poker there is basically an unlimited amount of money that players can bet on their turn. For many the no-limit poker game is the ultimate poker experience as players can go 'all in' and bet all that they have on a hand. In an attempt to keep things fair poker rooms usually set table maximums, a maximum chip amount that players are allowed to initially bring to the table to play with. This has two results; it limits losses a player can incur during a game and it allows a modestly bankrolled player to play with those fortunate enough to have an unlimited bankroll.
In old movie clichés players put valuables such as car keys and watches in the pot to call a large bet, however real poker rooms don't have you do this sort of thing. A player who doesn't have enough chips to call can still call the hand by going 'all in', the pot is then split with players being able to win only the amount they bet.
What limit game is the best for me?
Personal preferences, your bankroll, and your skill level are the major factors that will determine what type of limit poker you should play. Those new to poker should probably avoid no-limit tables, but may get away with playing pot-limit games with low antes. Table limit games are safest for beginners but when the limits are low a lot of players play 'loose' and call most bets even when holding little to nothing. This type of playing isn't good for practicing betting strategies as it is hard for players to bluff a skill that must be developed if you're planning on eventually playing in bigger games. A table limit game is the least risky and has the most predictable play, and as such is likely the best game option for a new player. While no-limit and pot limit games can be positive for good players they also have the potential to cost you big time if you have an unlucky run or find yourself matched with much more experienced players.
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