Cap
A cap in poker can refer to several things, the standard use is when referring to betting. In this case, the cap is the limit on the amount or number of bets and raises in a round. It's a standard feature of most poker games, where non-heads-up pots are usually limited to a bet and three raises per betting round.
In some cash games the cap might be a maximum amount of money each player can lose in a given pot or a maximum pot size. This is sometimes used in high-variance, high-stakes games (like pot-limit Omaha) to reduce the impact of individual hands.
When referring to rake, the cap is the maximum amount of rake the house can take from an individual pot.
What is a Cap?
In poker, a cap refers to any limit on a financial aspect of the game. The most common use of the cap is to refer to the number of raises that can be made during a single round of betting.
Once this cap is reached, no further raises are allowed until the next betting round. Capping is generally used in fixed-limit poker games as a way to control the size of the pot and prevent it from growing too large.
When to Consider the Cap
Considering the cap is essential when deciding your betting strategy in a given hand. If the cap has been reached and you want to increase the pot further, you'll need to wait until the next betting round.
Similarly, if you're facing aggressive opponents who are raising frequently, the cap can provide some protection by limiting the amount you'll need to call.
Considerations When Dealing with the Cap
When dealing with the cap, it's important to consider your hand strength, your opponents' betting patterns and tells, and the size of the pot. In particular, the cap makes a big difference to the implied odds of drawing hands.
Example of "Cap"
In a standard fixed-limit hold'em game with a limit of four raises, once four raises have been made during a single betting round, the cap is reached and no further raises can be made until the next betting round.
- "With a strong hand, he decided to raise, reaching the cap for the betting round."
- "After the cap was reached, she decided to call and see the next card."
- "Knowing the cap had been reached provided some relief, as he wouldn't be forced to call any more raises during this betting round."
What types of poker games typically have a cap?
The concept of a cap is pretty universal (though there is often an exception for rounds that are heads up). It is most typically used in fixed-limit poker games, where the size of bets and raises is fixed.
What happens once the cap is reached?
Once the cap is reached in a betting round, no further raises are allowed until the next betting round. Players can only call or fold.
How does the cap affect my betting strategy?
The cap can greatly influence your betting strategy. It can limit the size of the pot and greatly change the implied odds of draws.
How is the cap determined?
The cap is usually determined by the rules of the poker game. In many games, there is a cap of three or four raises per betting round.
Can the cap change during a game?
In most cases, the Cap remains constant throughout a poker game. However, the rules can vary depending on the specific game or poker room or by general agreement in a private game.
