A question about raising from a newbie

[325damien]

Hi there,

I've just started learning about poker, and have gotten quite confused about raising cap rules.

First thing is terminology, caps are referred to with different language around the web it seems. Would a four bets per round cap be a synonym for a three raise cap? A bet followed by 3x raises?

Also a question about pre-flop betting - would the Big Blind be considered part of a four bets per round cap? ie. only three raises can follow the Big Blind, not four.

Thanks for any help.

[SwoopAE]

Here, i'll make it simple for you. let's pretend five people are playing 1/2 limit holdem

Player 1 posts the SB of $1
Player 2 posts the BB of $2
Player 3 raises $2 to $4 (standard raise, would be a 2bet but no one uses that term)
Player 4 raises $2 to $6 (three bet or 3bet)
Player 5 folds
Player 1 folds
Player 2 raises $2 to $8 (four bet or 4bet, betting is capped at a total of 4 bets)

Now everyone can only call the $8 total or fold.

Now another example where the big blind doesnt make the 4bet

Player 1 posts the SB of $1
Player 2 posts the BB of $2
Player 3 raises $2 to $4 (standard raise, would be a 2bet but no one uses that term)
Player 4 raises $2 to $6 (three bet or 3bet)
Player 5 raises $2 to $8 (four bet)
Player 1 cannot raise again; he has to either call $7 or fold. Player 1 folds
Player 2 (the big blind) also can't raise again because a total of four bets (the big blind, the first raise, the 3bet reraise and the 4bet reraise) have been made already. He has to call the additional six dollars or fold.

[325damien]

Thanks for the reply, that's what I wanted to know. I wasn't sure if Big Blind's were considered part of the 4 bet cap, because of how they are "compulsory bets".

Are there any times where people will not consider the Big Blind as part of the 4-bet cap?

cheers

[thret]

The big blind is by definition a forced bet and also the first bet.

Limit games typically have a maximum of four or five bets per street, except when HU on the river where it is usually unlimited.

[SwoopAE]

The short answer is no, the big blind always counts.