Flop Play in Pot-Limit Holdem

Pot limit holdem is a variety of holdem that is in between the strict limits of a fixed-limit game and the unrestricted betting of a no-limit game. In pot limit holdem, you can bet or raise no more than the size of the pot after you have called the bet to you. In other words, if you are first to act in a pot limit game with blinds of 25 and 50, you may put up to 175 in the pot, the 50 it costs to call plus the 125 that matches the pot size after the call.

Of course if you are playing in a live game you must put the entire amount in at once or announce “raise,” otherwise you may be accused of making a “string bet,” and your raise disallowed. Just as with other betting structures in Texas holdem, it’s important to know how to play after the flop in pot limit.

Flopping a Draw

If you flop a flush or straight draw in a pot limit holdem game, your goal will usually be to see the turn and river as cheaply as possible. Since your opponents cannot put your whole stack at risk until the pot has been made large, keeping the pot small by checking or calling will give you a great chance to see whether your draw will hit.

Remember that draws play best against multiple opponents, which is another argument for keeping the pot small, since large bets are likely to drive away some of your customers.

Flopping Top Pair

If you flop top pair, you may also want to resist betting, depending on how many opponents you face. Top pair is a good hand, but cannot take a lot of heat, especially if flush and straight cards come on subsequent streets. Your flop bet won’t get drawing hands to go away since you can’t bet enough to force a fold.

If you check, someone may bet and you can call, keeping the pot small so you have a better chance of getting to a showdown. If you bet and are raised, you may be facing very large bets on subsequent streets and have some very difficult decisions to deal with throughout the hand, something to avoid in poker.

Flopping a Set

If you flop a set or two pair, it’s time to bet the pot. You’ll still get called by flush and straight draws but that’s okay. You want the pot large enough that you can make a big bet and push them out if they miss the turn. Big bets here are good for you since you have a big made hand. Letting opponents draw cheaply here would be a big mistake.

Flopping a Straight or Better

In Texas Holdem pot-limit poker games, If you flop a straight you should bet out the size of the pot. You still want flush draws to pay to draw against you, and your straight will usually not be obvious so you may be called by many weaker hands. If you flop a flush that is not the nut flush you should bet the pot so that a fourth card of your suit on the board does not counterfeit you.