Betting Rules

     With so many people playing poker online, where the computer takes care of all of the subtleties, it is easy to forget some of the simplest rules when moving your game offline. One that I see most often overlooked are the basic rules of betting.

     No Limit means that players will never be told they are betting too many chips. It does not, however, mean you may simply bet as much as you'd like. There are betting minimums in effect.

Raises:
     The first raise of the first betting round needs to be at least the size of the big blind. That means if the big blind is $20, players cannot simply put in a $25 chip and say, "I make it $25". They may call the bet at $20, or raise the bet to $40 (a raise that is the value of the big blind) or higher.

     This is really something I've only seen with players who are just learning, and a gentle reminder of "If ya wanna raise, ya gotta double it" has worked wonders. In most instances it's just really a matter of not wanting to break down chips to make the proper bet, but you'd like to prod new players in the right direction and a gentle reminder doesn't hurt.

Re-Raises:
     When there is a raise before someone, in order to raise they must double it. For example, if a player raises the pot $300, in order to re-raise the bet must be at least $600. You may not raise to $450. In instances like this it may well make a difference in the way the hand plays out. It could save a player some chips, or make a player change his mind and make a different play.

     Now, having made those gentle reminders during the first betting round, it is easier to tell players at the table that "If you want to raise, you have to double it".