One of the least popular forms of betting limits is the game of Pot Limit poker. The concept of Pot Limit is that any player can bet any amount up to and including what is in the pot. If a player makes a bet that equals the pot, it must include the amount needed to call a previous bet. For example, if the pot is $10 and a player decides to bet $5, the following player in the round has the choice to either fold, call the $5 bet or raise to $20. The $20 raise amount is determined by adding the $10 plus $5, plus $5 to call. This makes the pot-sized raise $20 in total.

It may sound confusing at first, but with practice it’ll become second nature. Review the example below to get a better idea of how Pot Limit Omaha works:

Let’s start with a $10 pot (determined by the first betting round). Player #1 bets $10, this being the maximum amount allowed since the limit for the bet is the amount in the pot. This action is called “betting the pot.” Now the pot is at $20. Player #2 has the option to call the $10 and raise $30 because the pot is technically $30 (remember: $20 pot + $10 call from Player #2). Player #2’s total bet would end up being $40. The pot total becomes $60 ($40 + $20). The action is now on Player #3. Player #3 can call the $40 and raise $100 if he wants because the pot is sitting at $100 ($60 pot + $40 call from Player #3). This would make Player #3’s total bet $140, boosting the pot to $200 ($60 pot + $140 bet).

The betting will then come back around to Player #1 who has the option to fold or call the combined raises of his $30 and Player #2’s $100, making his total bet $130 and augmenting the pot’s value to $330 ($200 pot + $130 bet). Player #2 then has the choice to either fold or call Player #3’s raise of $100 to continue playing. This action would enhance the pot to $430 ($330 pot + $100 bet).

It’s easy to see in Pot Limit Omaha how the value of the pot can explode in only two short rounds of betting.

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If you enjoy playing Pot Limit Omaha, make sure to read our Omaha and Limit Omaha Rules section as well. The rules to additional poker games can be found in our Poker Rules section.