Poker Bet Structures 101

More so than any of the rules, it is the way the bets and wagers are established and followed that makes one Poker variant unique from another. Before you begin play, make sure you are in the right kind of game, and more importantly, you know how the bets are processed.

In games like 7 Card Stud and 5 Card Draw, the Poker betting structure revolves around the ante, wherein all participants contribute, or give something to make up the initial pot. The game then begins with the bring in, the one who makes the first bet. In shared games, the blinds (forced bets) are in effect instead.

Limit Games

In a nutshell, the Poker betting structure in these variants state that there is a restriction to how much any player can wager and raise. For instance, if you are playing in a $2/$4 fixed limit Holdem game, the maximum players will be allowed to wager in the initial two rounds is $2, the small bet, and it is also the maximum amount they can raise and re raise. The succeeding bets and raises allow for the $4.

For newcomers to the game, playing with a Poker betting structure like fixed limit is ideal, because it offers one the opportunity to make money while removing the chance of losing your entire bankroll in a single hand. For this reason it is used in almost all casinos.

Spread Limit

Under this setup, players are entitled to wager any amount provided that it does not exceed the prescribed limit. So if it is $2-$6 Texas Holdem, you can bet anywhere between $2 to $6 at any point in the hand. However, the raise, as in all Poker games, must be at least equal to the last made bet.

Pot Limit

Although not as widely used in America, it is a Poker betting structure that is prevalent in various UK casinos, both live and online. Here the amount you can raise must be at least equivalent to what is in the pot. Suppose there is $30 in the pot, and someone bets another $30. If you call, that means a total of $90 at stake. Thus, you can raise by $90.

No Limit

This is the most popular form of betting structure in Poker tourneys and cash games. The rules on betting here is that you can put up any amount you like. You can go all in (the term used when placing all the chips in the middle) at any stage. The possibilities presented to the player in a No Limit game is that of raking in a large amount of chips in a single hand, or losing them all.

If you watch Poker on TV, you'll see how this kind of betting affects the game. It heightens the suspense and drama, making such strategies as bluffing more effective. With fixed limits, it's very easy for someone to call your bet. But if you go all in, or put in enough chips to possibly cripple your opponent, the chances of getting him to fold a superior hand is more likely.

So which one is the best? All of them have their own merits. Start with fixed limits, and once you are comfortable, you can try the other two out. The more familiar you become with them, the more money you'll rake in.