Since pots form an integral part of poker games, often changing from round to round, there are a number of pot limit rules that allow for the game to move on without any hindrances. In this article we shall discuss some of the established rules for setting pot limits in poker.

Since the pot size is decided prior to the beginning of the game, usually in accordance with the particular game in play, the wagers have to be made in accordance with the decreed pot size. The players cannot make wages that are of a greater amount than the size of the pot itself. In the event that a player places a wager that is of a larger amount than the total pot size the game continues to the end of the round with the wager in place. At the soonest possible juncture, for example when the round closes, the excess money is returned to the bettor. The wager size is decreased to fit the permitted limit. If the excess wager is brought to the attention of the involved partied by the players themselves or by the dealer before the hand has been started, it can be corrected to fit the decreed limit. However if any of the players have already acted upon it, the game has to continue until the nearest end-point, be it the end of the round or the folding hand of the entire game, and only then can the correction in the wager be made.

In case the excess amount of the wager goes unnoticed a player might make a call on the existing wager under the impression that it is an allowable limit. In this event, if the incorrect size of the wager comes to notice at a later stage, and a player has already begun to move a call on the wager or raise it, then the floor-person reserves judgment on the matter. The floor-person at such a point can choose to allow the wager to stand as valid and allow the game to continue. Such a situation often arises when the person who made the inaccurate and excessively high wager realizes the mistake and tries to call off the play even though another player has started to play on it.

Often, during play involving a pot limit, it is said that if the amount in the pot is an odd number, making the play slightly difficult owing to the complicated math involved, it is better to round off the amount of money in the pot by increasing it to the next even number. This helps the flow of the game to ease up and the game to move along at a smoother, faster pace. For example, if the pot limit in the current phase is at $70, it would make more sense to move it up to $100 to allow for more facilitated play.

During the play of the game if one of the players submits a bill or a playing chip or counter into the pot that is larger than the size of the current ongoing amount, the contribution can be considered to be a part of the bets of the pot.

Different casino, different rule – so make sure to know the details of the Las Vegas Poker Room you’re playing at!