Limit

The term limit in poker usually refers to a type of game where betting is limited, i.e., it follows a certain predefined structure for bet sizes on each street.

In Limit Hold’em, for example, the size of bets and raises is defined by small and big bets. Small bets are used before and on the flop, and big bets are used on turns and rivers.

So, on the flop, you can only bet in the amount of one small bet, and players can only make a raise in the amount of one small bet. If the small bet is $2, you can bet $2, the next player can only raise to $4, and the next one can only make it $6.

This is much different from no-limit and pot-limit formats, where players have much more freedom to size their bets. In no limit, you can bet anything from one big blind to your entire stack at any point, while in pot limit, the size of the pot limits your maximum bet size, but you’re otherwise free to choose your sizing.

The term limit is used in a few other ways as well when talking about stakes or maximum allowed buy-ins in cash game (i.e., table limits).

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