Atom-RSSBad Beats in Poker: We all get them handed to us, and not only do we lose the money, but everyone goes on tilt for at least a hand or two so we can lose more of our poker bankroll!
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Texas Holdem (or Texas Hold’em) is far and away the most popular poker game out there today. Featured in the televised WPT events, and canonized in the poker
film classic Rounders, to many Holdem is the only game to play.
Of course, the game is a little more complicated than that, and as usual, the complications revolve around money. In our poker lobby, you may have noticed three different options under the limit column (Fixed, PL, NL). These options represent the three different Holdem games we offer: Fixed Limit, Pot Limit, and No Limit. The game type you select will dictate the bet minimums and maximums for that game.
In a Fixed Limit game, both the bet and raise amounts for each round are a preset amount. For example, in a $5/$10 Fixed game, both the bets and raises for the first two rounds of betting must be $5, no more, no less. The last 2 rounds have a bet/raise amount of $10.
In a Pot Limit Game, the maximum bet/raise can’t be more than the current pot amount. So, if the pot is $30, you can’t bet more than $30. One thing to note: If you are raising on a player’s bet, your call is already included in the pot. So, for example, let us say the pot is $100. Player X opens the betting with $100. Your maximum bet is now $300 (Pot = Initial $100 + Player X’s $100 + your $100)
Still with us? OK, the final game type is No Limit. The name says it all; there are no maximum bet limits. You can bet as much as you like during any round of betting. The minimum bet is the big blind amount. No Limit Holdem makes for big pots, fast action, and great watching.
Now that you have chosen a game type, it is time to talk about 2 other betting concepts….
The Stakes: The stakes are tied directly to the game type you select. For a Fixed Limit game, the stakes dictate the bet and raise amount for each round. Let us use our $5/$10 stakes example again. In the first two rounds of betting, both the bet and the raise must be $5, no more, no less. The last 2 rounds have a bet/raise amount of $10.
The Cap: In Fixed limit games, each round of betting can consist of one bet and has a maximum number of three of allowable raises, known as the cap. So, if a bet is made, that bet can only be raised three times, after which all players must call, or fold. However, if only two players remain in the hand the cap is increased, to a maximum of five raises.
In both the Pot Limit and No Limit games, the stakes represent the amounts posted as the blinds.
Sound complicated? It really isn’t. Let us use our trusty $5/$10 stakes again. In a fixed limit game, the small blind posts $2 (half of $5 rounded down). The big blind posts $5. In a $5/$10 pot limit/no limit game, the small blind posts $5, and the big blind posts $10.
In poker we use blinds as an incentive for players to play a hand, and build the pot. Consider the blinds like a mandatory bet and raise; any players that want to play the hand must match the big blind to stay in. The blinds are considered live bets, so when the action goes around the table and returns to them, they have the option of checking, calling, raising or folding as they see fit.
Some other notes about blinds: Any player has the option of sitting out and waiting for the big blind to reach them. However, if a player sits out and misses posting the big blind, then that player will be required to post a big blind and a small “dead” blind before returning. This rule is in place to prevent potential abuse from players who join a table and then leave before having to post the blinds.
One thing we haven’t talked much about is the dealer. In poker each player in turn plays as the dealer. At the table we represent the dealer position with...
The Dealer Button: The Button is a graphic symbol that represents the theoretical dealer. After each hand, the button moves clockwise to the next active player, who becomes the dealer for that hand. This player is considered to be “on the button,” and is the last person to act in the betting round. The first player to the left of the button is the first player to be dealt cards, and is the first player to act in each betting round.
OK, let us play some Holdem. You have bought in to a table, sat down and posted your big blind. What comes next?