Cap Limit Games

Most online poker rooms offer variations of rings games. You can sit and play at a full table of nine seats or a table of six seats. At these tables there are even further variations such as the ability to play deep stacked or, speed, and the type of betting allowed. Betting is either no-limit, pot limit, or cap limit.

If you have played poker you have probably played no-limit and pot limit. If you are new to cash games you may not fully understand cap limit and how it affects betting and your poker strategy. Sitting in a cap limit game the first difference you will notice is that you generally must sit down with a higher minimum amount than at a no limit table. Whereas the minimum buy-in at a no limit table is 20 times the big blind, at a cap limit table the minimum buy-in is usually 30 times. The next obvious difference is that there is a cap on how much a player can put into any one pot. In both no-limit and pot limit games, the only restriction on how much a player contributes to a pot is based purely on the amount they are sitting with. Playing a cap game there is a ceiling, this has to practical effects. It limits your potential loss on any given hand but it also limits any potential winnings on any given hand. Each player has a cap and once the cap is reached that player cannot bet any further.

If you are playing with a limited bankroll and like to sit with the table maximum playing in a cap limit game might suit you. It will shield you from losing your entire roll at the table and may bring you peace of mind knowing you will not go broke on any one hand. However cap games can be frustrating when you have the nuts because you will only be able to win a capped amount from each player.

Strategically this means that to win more money you need as many players in the pot as possible. Choosing a table at a cap game requires you to look at how big the average pots are and how many players see the flop. Keep in mind that because it is a capped game players may be more inclined to shove marginal or speculative hands to try and crack big pocket pairs. Hands that hold up well in multi-way pots can be extremely valuable in cap games because that player knows they have a chance to scoop the pot with little exposure to their own bankroll.

As with any type of poker there is a certain level of risk and reward. But do not be afraid to try cap limit games, you may find them to be a fun way to play poker with limited risk.