Pot Limit Holdem

Texas Holdem has become the most popular version of poker in the world. Whether it is pot limit, no limit or fixed limit, when many new players decide to take up poker, they choose holdem. This is likely for a variety of reasons. This form of the game is pretty easy to learn, its availability is high, and well, it seems that everyone else is doing it. Pot limit is one version of holdem poker. It is similar to other forms, though there are some important differences. We will discuss the game in general and then some of the most significant differences below.

Regardless of the type of holdem being played, the rules are largely the same. When play begins, all players are dealt two cards. These are referred to as the hole cards and are placed face down in front each player. After an individual has received their cards, they will most often have some idea of whether or not they want to stay in the game. Experienced players will often be able to spot a good starting hand faster then some one who is inexperienced.

After each player has been dealt their poker cards, they have three options. They can call, raise or fold. Prior to that, the big and small blind is posted. The players who posts these will be seated to the left of the dealer.

Players who wish to stay in the game will need to match the big blind. In a pot limit holdem game there is a limit to the amount of money a person can wager. This is the primary difference between it and a no limit game. In the latter, individuals can bet as much as they want, as long as they meet the minimum threshold.

In pot limit games, individuals are not allowed to wager more then the amount of money in the pot. For example, if there is $200 in the pot, a player can not wager more then that.

After every person that desires to, makes their bet, the dealer deals the first three community cards. This is known as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After the second round of bets, a fourth community card is dealt. This is the turn. Betting starts again with each remaining player calling, raising or folding. Following this round of wagers, the dealer lays out the final community card. There is one last betting round. Players then create the best hand they can using the five community cards and their two hole cards. The showdown occurs last with each player showing their hands. The person with the highest ranking hand wins.

Most of aforementioned rules govern Texas holdem regardless of the version, limit, pot limit or not limit. They differ mainly in regards to the amount of money a player can wager. In pot limit games, individuals’ bets are limited to the amount of money in the pot. A player can not wager more then this amount. Therefore, a bet has to fall between the big blind and the pot. The only time a person can wager less then the big blind is when they don’t have enough chips. In these instances, a person has to go all in.

Pot Limit Holdem Tips

Pot control: When at all possible, players should do their best to keep the pot small when they have a weak hand and build the pot when they have a strong hand. It will do a player no good to add a lot of money to a pot and then have to fold. Pot control is especially important in pot limit holdem games.

Bait opponents: Small bets make a big difference in pot limit games. Players should occasionally considering making a really small bet in order to feign a weak hand. If their opponent bites and gets aggressive, even with a weak hand, they end up significantly building the pot. The player who made the initial small bet encouraged them to do so by baiting them with a small bet.

In Summary
Pot limit holdem is a variant of Texas Holdem. Others include no limit and fixed limit. Pot limit differs from the aforementioned mostly as it concerns the amount of money that can be wagered. An individual can’t bet more money then the pot contains. Though this seems like a small difference, it does effect how a player needs to approach the game and the strategy they use. Failure to do so will result in frustrations and likely losses.