Betting

This page is to help new Players understand the procedures behing Poker betting. We won't get into the nuances of such, such as bluffing, etc.

Ante

Most all games start with an initial outlay of money to "buy in" to the game, or play. This initial outlay is called the "Ante", and is usually a small amount, typically the minimum bet allowed, but some games may require more than this.

If a user doesn't put in an Ante, they are assumed to not be playing that game.

The Betting Round

Opening Bet

One Player is determined to provide an Opening Bet, based on the rules of the game, or by the following general rules:

Hidden Hand: If all Player's Hands are hidden from view, then the Player to the Dealer's left provides the Opening Bet on the first round, the next Player to the left starts the second round, etc.

Partially-visible Hand: If some number of the Player's Hand is visible, then the highest Hand made from the visible cards is given the Opening Bet. In an all out tie, the hand closest to the Dealer in Deal order (clockwise) is given preference - the Dealer comes last, and therefore can never win a tie.

To-Open: If a game requires a Player must Open the game (like in Jacks or Better type games), then that Player that opened has the Opening Bet on all rounds.

An Opening Bet can be any value (up to a Maximum), or a the Opening Bet may be passed to the next Player in turn, by saying either "pass", "check", or "no bet". If all Players pass, then the round is over.

Subsequent Bets

After the Opening Bet, each Player in turn (clockwise), may either Call the current Bet (match the Bet, also called "See" the Bet), Fold (give up and quit the game), or Raise (add to the current total Bet). When a Player raises, then the total of the current Bet and the Raise is passed to the next Player. A Player only has to pay the portion of the current Bet that they have not already paid - i.e. if a Player Calls a current bet of 20, and it comes around again at a total of 80, that Player only has to Call another 60.

Betting continues around the table until all other Players Call the Opening Bet or last Raise. For instance, if there are 5 players, and Player 3 raises the bet to a total of 80, and Players 4, 5, 1, and 2 Call in turn, the Betting Round ends. A Player cannot Raise their own previous Bet.

In a friendly game, generally a maximum of 3 Raises are allowed in a Round.

Maximum Bets

Typically in a friendly game, a Maximum Bet is defined to prevent things from getting out of hand. We usually have one limit for all but the last Betting Round, then another, higher limit for the last Round.



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