Betting Limits in Poker Holdem

Although it may not seem like it to the beginner, there are two distinct versions of Texas Holdem poker: limit and no-limit. Depending on which version of the game is being played, the betting rules are very different.

Limit poker

In the limit version of Holdem poker, players can only bet a pre-determined amount. On the first and second rounds players must bet a specified amount and are usually restricted to a limit of three raises. Thus, if the betting limit is $20, one player might bet $20, another player might raise $20 for a total of $40, while a third player raises again to $60 and the original bettor then aps the betting by raising to $80. So in each round, play would not allow the betting to be raised above an $80 bet in this instance (a $20 bet size and a limit of three raises).

The third and fourth rounds normally double the betting value, although the raises are still capped at three. Thus bets are now in $40 increments.

Because the bet sizes are structured, it can be harder to get people to fold, and this type of game often attracts more mathematical players who like to calculate odds and statistics as they know what their opponent's maximum betting ranges are confined to.

No limit poker

No Limit Holdem poker is a different beast. Here you can bet as many chips as you have in front of you whenever you like. Because a player can shove his entire chip stack in to the centre of the table at any time, it makes play a lot more unpredictable and requires nerves of steel not to crumble under pressure.

Because you can wager your entire chip stack at any time you can be out of the game at any moment in No Limit Holdem poker. And because the betting limits are removed, you can quickly lose a great deal of money and find yourself broke.

So make sure you know which type of game you are playing in from the start and stick to playing at betting limits where you are comfortable.