Betting
Each bet and raise during the first 2 rounds is at the lower
limit of the stakes structure, e.g. $4 in a $4/$8 game.
Each bet and raise during the last 2 rounds is at the higher
limit of the stakes structure, e.g. $8 in a $4/$8 game.
A player
can bet up to 4 times per round. This is known as a bet and
Three (3) Raises. This would consist of (1) a bet, (2) a raise,
(3) a re-raise, and (4) a cap. It's called a cap since
betting is then capped and cannot be raised anymore.
Once the pot is capped, players can only call the Cap or fold.
Check-raising is allowed in all games.
Button
and Blinds
Hold 'Em uses a button to indicate the theoretical
dealer of each hand.
After
each hand, the button moves clockwise to the next active player.
The player to the left of the button is first to receive a
card and must post a small blind. The small blind is
half the lower limit bet, rounded down to the nearest dollar.
The player to the left of the small blind must post the big
blind, equal to the lower limit bet. Example: in a $4-$8
game the blinds would be Small Blind $2.00 and Big Blind $4.00.
This replaces the antes in 7-card stud.
Both blinds
are immediately in the hand and have options when in clockwise
progression the action returns to them. For the Small Blind
those options are to call the remainder of any bets made,
or to raise if there are still raises remaining (not yet capped).
For the
Big Blind those options are to check if no one has raised,
to call if someone has raised or to raise if there are still
raises remaining (not yet capped). After the flop and each
subsequent betting round, the first active player left of
the button is first to act.
When a
player first sits at an active table, they may post the equivalent
of the big blind. To play immediately all players may sit
out and wait to become the actual big blind before playing.
This rule ensures fairness to all players and stops potential
abuses by preventing players from constantly entering games
in late position and then leaving before they're required
to post the big blind. |