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Limit Holdem

Limit Holdem, or 'LH' as it is referred to online, is a popular choice of game both online and live and features in major tournaments around the world, including the World Series of Poker. Limit games differ only in as much as there are caps as to how much you can bet and raise. For detailed rules on playing Hold'em, visit this guide: Texas Hold'em and Game Structure.

Limit Holdem Rules

Ok, so we know that there are caps involved, so how does it work. Well if you are playing in a ring game, you will have bought in to a game offering a blind structure of your choice. So you take a look and take your seat in a $3-$6 short handed limit ring game. The stakes are indicated similar to the image shown below.

The blinds being $3-$6, tell us that the small blind will post $3 and the big blind will post $6. Once blinds have been posted, the play would go clockwise round the table (no different from normal). The difference is that the first to lead out could only do to the value of the big blind, in this case $6. Any player after him that wanted to raise could only raise double the bet, or $12. If a third player re-raised, he could raise to $24 (double the first raise). Most rooms have a cap on the number of raises that can be made - it is normal for this to be 3, although can vary.

A different strategy is needed when playing limit, as bluffing (especially in low stakes) becomes more difficult as it is of less risk to see the next card, and players tend to call more than they do in no-limit games (cheaper to chase cards).

The Deal

The rules, with the exception of the betting limits, (excluding betting limits) are as in Texas Hold'em. Just to recap, the structure of the game is set out below.

All players are dealt 2 Hole Cards (pre flop) + Round of Betting

The Flop (3rd community Card) + Round of Betting

The Turn (4th community card) + Round of Betting

The River (5th community card) + Final Round of Betting

SHOWDOWN (Players show their cards)

At showdown, the best 5 card hand wins the pot (see our guide to the ranking of poker hands).

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