Betting Structure Variations in Texas Holdem

By Nolan Dalla

The most common form of Texas holdem uses a two-tiered betting structure. This means the big bet is twice the amount of the small bet. For instance, in a standard $10-20 holdem game, the small bet is fixed at $10 and occurs on the first two betting rounds -- pre-flop and post-flop. The big bet is fixed at $20 and occurs on the last two betting rounds -- the "turn" and the "river." Most poker books and articles on strategy focus discussion on a standard two-tiered betting structure since it's the most popular variation of holdem played today. Unfortunately this means there is less reliable information on other forms of holdem, with different betting structures. This article intends to give readers insight into how to adjust one's play based on the various betting structures of holdem.

First, let's define the various betting structures of Texas holdem:

Modified Limit Holdem -- Also known as "fixed limit holdem" this variation is usually played for very small stakes. The maximum bet is capped by a certain dollar amount, usually mandated by local law. For example, in the state of Colorado the maximum bet allowed at a poker table is $5. This means the betting structure for most legal holdem games is $1-5 or $5-5. In Florida, state law prohibits the size of the pot reaching in excess of $10. Therefore, no bet can be larger than the allowable dollar amount needed to reach that figure. Many friendly private games also use a similar structure.

Progressive Limit Holdem -- Progressive limit holdem uses a betting pattern such as $5-10-15, or $10-20-30, and so forth. In some cardrooms, the betting structure uses a four-tiered system, such as $5-10-15-20. The most common progressive structure is $1-4-8-8 holdem (also $2-4-8-8). The primary difference in this variation from the standard structure is that the turn and river bets increase dramatically over the size of the first bet. Also, in some low-limit holdem games, the amount of the first raise is not a fixed amount. A player is allowed to raise be anywhere from $1 up to $4 (for a total of $5) on the first round. SIDE NOTE: Another variation of progressive limit holdem allows a double-sized river bet. This means the structure is $10-10-20-20 (with a $40 bet optional on the end). This game is found in some parts of Louisiana and underground games in Texas.

Standard Limit Holdem -- The is the most popular form of holdem played today. Standard limit holdem uses a two-tiered betting structure. The round of betting goes as follows -- $10-10-20-20. Most holdem literature is geared towards this structure.

Spread Limit Holdem -- Spread limit games are much more common in seven card stud than holdem. However, I have seen spread limit holdem played in the Chicago area and at Foxwoods in Connecticut. Spread limit means the amount of the bet is not fixed. Players are allowed to bet any amount between the minimum and maximum at any time. For example, in a $2-10 spread limit game, player may bet anywhere from $2 up to $10. I've seen $2-100 games spread as well, which means the bet is from $2 up to $100 at any time.

Pot-Limit Holdem -- This structure allows the maximum bet up to the amount that is currently in the pot. One key component of this betting structure is the size of the blinds. Pot-limit games can have blinds ranging from several hundred dollars in the biggest games to just a few dollars. Some games even use three blinds. However, don't be fooled by games with small blinds (sometimes as low as $1-2 and $2-5). The betting can escalate very quickly and create pots of several thousand dollars. In general, the lower the size of the blinds, the more players you are likely to see before the flop -- which has major strategic consequences about which hands to play and how to play them.

Modified Pot Limit Holdem -- Same structure as pot-limit holdem, but there is a cap on the maximum allowable bet. This is instituted to "protect" players from being hurt too badly in a single hand and is more common in private games than public cardrooms. I've played many sessions of modified pot-limit poker with a $200 cap. This means that no bet may exceed $200. However, I've also seen $100 caps and $50 caps for games with novice pot-limit players. Critics rightly point out this is not really "pot-limit," since strong hands cannot be protected. In fact, it calls for a different set of strategies than regular pot limit (which is the reason for this column). But modified pot-limit is popular in some areas, so it deserves mentioning.

No-Limit Holdem -- Means you can bet any amount of chips that are in front of you at any time. This is the game that determines poker's world championship. As in pot-limit, the size of the blinds is important. What even more important is knowing your opponents. (Note: I have never seen nor heard of modified no-limit).

The three most popular forms of holdem are standard limit holdem -- followed by pot-limit and no-limit holdem (which are most commonly played in tournaments). However, other forms of holdem are now gaining in popularity. The fastest growing variation is progressive limit holdem, which is now spread in some casinos in Atlantic City and the Midwest. Also, the three-tiered betting structure ($1-4-8-8) is quite common in Las Vegas. I expect this form of holdem to become even more popular as more players begin to realize that increasing the size of the bets on later rounds is to the advantage of the most skillful players. In other words, if bad play is punished by even higher betting amounts on later streets, the best players will win the money -- at a quicker pace.

What's interesting about these variations of holdem is that some hands go up in value, while others go down in value. Most poker books base strategy advice on standard limit games only and are thus quite one-dimensional (one of many reasons why "starting hand requirements" are largely a waste of time). Playing a hand from a certain position may be correct in standard limit holdem, but would be very wrong in other forms of holdem such as spread limit or fixed-limit games. There is also a huge difference in the types of playable hands in limit versus no-limit games. Here's a brief look at what types of hands are favorable in certain variations of holdem and how to adjust one's strategy based on the betting structure:

Modified Limit Holdem -- This is the worst structure, by far, for the most skilled holdem players. Since the size of the maximum bet is limited only to the size of a small bet (as in Colorado) this eliminates the use of most advanced poker strategies, such as bluffing, manipulating pot size, buying free cards, and so forth. In these games, everyone flips over their cards and the best hand wins at the showdown. It's not uncommon to see four or five callers on the river in modified limit games. The reason? Bad players are not punished enough for making loose calls on later streets. Since the size of the big bet and small bet are the same, the pot frequently offers correct odds on the most outrageous draws. Unless you're playing strictly for recreation, these games should be avoided in most cases (depending on the rake amount). If you do decide to play this game, you can usually play more hands than in a standard game, and you often have the correct odds to draw to many hands. But, prepare to take many bad beats.

Progressive Limit Holdem -- This is the best limit structure for the skillful player. Skilled players punish weaker players more harshly than in standard games because the betting his higher on later rounds. In other words, superior post-flop play makes bad decisions considerably more expensive for weaker players than in standard games. The higher bet size on the end also makes bluffing more effective , which means players who read their opponents well have advantages. This is a good structure for aggressive players. It is a bad structure for passive players. For this reason, I believe more good holdem players will be pushing for this form of holdem in the near future (Note: It has already been instituted at the Tropicana in Atlantic City and has replaced standard holdem in the top section.). Depending on the exact betting structure, drawing hands are more powerful because when they are completed on the later rounds of betting, the payoff is higher than in a standard game. This doesn't necessarily mean all draws should be played post-flop, but solid draws are often worth pursuing because of better implied odds than in other games (i.e. when you make your hand, the payoff is bigger).

Standard Limit Holdem -- Not much needs to be said about this variation of holdem. This game is popular and will continue to be so for many years, since it is so simple to learn and understand. One major key to winning is understanding correct pot odds. Correct strategy is heavily dependent on the type of game you are in -- which may be tight, average, or loose. Critics say this form of poker is too confining to skillful players (I agree). For example, many Europeans -- who are accustomed to playing pot limit poker -- refuse to sit in these games. However, for players who are learning holdem and want a simple, easy-to-understand betting structure, this is the best game to play.

Spread Limit Holdem -- This structure relies more on knowing one's opponents and understanding how much to bet at certain times. "Milking" opponents with proper bet sizes is a powerful skill. Also, these games are easier to scout, since you can look for games where players don't know the proper amount to bet. The most common example you will see is when weaker players telegraph the strength of their hand by the amount of the bet they make. This never happens in standard games because the betting amounts are fixed. For this reason, on most streets it is advisable to always bet the maximum number of chips -- except perhaps on the first round of betting. For more strategy considerations, see writings on low-limit 7-card stud which discuss the proper betting amount for third street play.

Pot-Limit Holdem -- Whereas limit holdem is a game of understanding starting hands, position, pot odds, and affords one the protection of not getting hurt too badly on any single hand, pot-limit (and no-limit) holdem are a completely different game. They are so different, in fact, that they really are not the same poker game. In big-bet poker, cards are not as important as understanding your opponents -- and human nature in pressure situations.

Modified Pot Limit Holdem -- This is a great break-in game for limit holdem players who want to learn "big-bet" poker, but who may be too intimidated to actually sit down in a game. The modified structure means there is a cap on betting. Therefore, no player will lose more than a given amount in a single hand (but, it can still be very expensive). In a sense, this is a cross between progressive limit poker and pot-limit poker. The major strategic consideration is that the maximum bet is fixed, so bluffing is not as powerful on later streets and players may be justified in calling with weaker hands than in a normal pot-limit game without the cap.

No-Limit Holdem -- This is the game where you should avoid playing drawing hands. Big pairs are at a premium. Position is a huge factor. Limit versus no-limit holdem might as well be night and day. They are two very different styles of poker. What's most interesting, is that few players master them both.

As you can see, Texas holdem is becoming increasingly more diverse. The game has evolved to the point where there are multiple strategies and many variations. The correct strategy is largely dependent on the betting variation. In holdem, contrary to what some poker books suggest, one size does not fit all.

Addendum 1: This is the first time all of these terms have been uniquely applied to the various structures of holdem in a single article or text. Some terms are interchangable -- such as "fixed" and "modified."

Addendum 2: Throughout this text, I have used the spelling "holdem" to refer to the game also known as "hold'em." Note the removal of the apostrophe. In their book, "Middle Limit Holdem Poker," Jim Brier and Bob Ciaffone were the first authors to my knowledge to publicly state what should be obvious to every poker player. Holdem has evolved into the most popular form of poker played at casinos and cardrooms. Accordingly, the game should be spelled in a way that is both simple and straightforward. I hereby advocate that writers and theorists adapt the more suitable spelling of holdem to this new form.

This article was published at an earlier date on PokerPages.com and is being rerun due to popular demand.