Fixed-Limit Betting Rules

### Betting Rules

This section describes the rules and mechanics of a Hold'em betting round.

#### Betting Limits

In Fixed Limit games all bet sizes are fixed to a specific amount. If the stakes are $10/$20, this means that all bets and raises in the first two betting rounds (the pre-flop and the flop) are $10, and all betting in the last two rounds (the turn and the river) must be $20. The first number given in the stakes ($10) is commonly called a small bet, and the second amount ($20) is called a big bet. The big blind, being a forced pre-flop bet is always the size of a small bet, and the Small Blind is typically half a small bet. In a $10/$20 game, the small blind would be $5.

In No-Limit Hold'em, there is no maximum bet size. A player may bet any amount up to the size of their stack. All bets must be at least the size of the big-blind. All raises must be at least as big as the previous bet or raise.

#### Betting Actions

There are several types of betting actions that can be made in a betting round.

Fold
  A player may always fold their hand when it is their turn to act. A folded hand is thrown into the muck and the player is no longer eligible to win the pot. If all but one players fold, the hand is immediately over. The last remaining player wins the pot uncontested.

Check/Call
  If a player wants to remain in the hand, but does not wish to increase the stakes, they may Call the current amount they owe the pot to continue playing. If the amount to call is zero, a Call of zero is referred to as a Check. A common mistake new players often make is to fold when they could check for free, and remain eligible to win the pot.

Bet/Raise
  When a player wishes to wager chips to increase the stakes, he may bet the proper amount (there are some restrictions that we will discuss later). The first betting action in a betting round is called a bet, and any subsequent bet is called a raise.

#### Betting Order

The betting always proceeds in clockwise order around the table, and starts with the first active player to the left of the dealer button. Active players are the players still remaining in the hand. Players that have folded their cards are no longer actively involved in the hand. Players may only act when it is their turn to do so. A player must either fold, call, or raise when it is their turn to act. To remain in the hand they must match the amount bet by other players. If a player raises, all players must have a chance to fold, call the raise, or re-raise. Once all players have acted and there are no outstanding bets, the round is over.

#### Betting Caps

In fixed-limit poker there is usually a cap on the number of raises allowed during a single betting round. Usually no more than three raises are allowed, except when it is down to just two players remaining in the hand (heads-up). No-Limit Hold'em does not typically have a cap on betting.

#### All-in

When a player runs out of chips at the table, and calls or bets with the last of their chips, the player is placed all-in. An all-in player is no longer active in the hand, but they are still eligible to win the current pot. However, if remaining players continue betting, all future bets go into a new pot (a side-pot), which the all-in player is not eligible to win. At the show down, the players involved in the most recent side-pot showdown first, then the all-in player shows their cards for the main pot.