Betting limits

In all poker games

In no-limit and pot-limit poker

For all betting rounds in No-Limit and Pot Limit poker, there is no maximum number of raises.

- The amount of the first raise must be equal to or greater than twice the previous bet.

- Subsequent raises must be equal to or greater than the sum of the previous raise and the spread (difference) between the previous raise and the bet (or raise) that preceded it.

Exemple:
Player 1 – Bets $2
Player 2 – First raise ≥ $4.
Player 3 – Second raise ≥ $6 ($4 + ($4 - $2))

In this example, Player 2 can raise by $4 or more. If he chooses to raise by $9, Player 3 will need to raise by $16 or more ($9 + ($9 - $2)).

In limit poker

For all betting rounds in Limit Poker, a maximum of three raises is allowed.

In our table $1/$2 example, Player 1 bets $1 and Players 2, 3 and 4 can raise by adding $1 to the previous bet:

Player 1 – Bets $1
Player 2 – First raise = $2
Player 3 – Second raise = $3
Player 4 – Third and final raise = $4

The next player can call or fold, but cannot raise in the current betting round.

Heads-up

In Limit Poker Heads-Up situations – where there remain only two active players at the table – there is no maximum number of raises (in our example, the amount of the raise must always be $1 more than the previous bet).

The buy-in is the number of chips you need to join a Real Play table. There are rules on minimum and maximum buy-ins. These buy-in rules are general in nature and may vary in accordance with table limits.

In all poker games

When you sit down at a poker table, a message informing you of the minimum and maximum Buy In is automatically displayed on your screen. All you need to do is to enter the amount of your Buy In within the displayed limits. The buy-in cannot exceed your account’s spending limits.

In limit poker

The minimum amount of the buy-in is determined by the table’s small limit. On lotoquebec.com, this amount is set at 10 times the small limit (10 X $1, in our example). There is no maximum buy-in amount. In Limit Poker, you don’t need to bring large amounts to the table since the bets are limited.

In no-limit and pot-limit poker

The minimum Buy In is 20 times the big limit (20 X $2, in our example). The maximum Buy In is 100 times the big limit (100 X $2, in our example).

Buy-in and player stake

Your buy-in is your starting stake at the poker table. Your stake will fluctuate as you win and lose. During the game, if your stake drops below the minimum buy-in, you will have the option to rebuy chips (buy more chips) so that your stake is between the allowed table minimum and maximum. The amount of your rebuy is added to your stake for the next hand.

You can sit down at a Real Play table even after the game has started. Tournament play follows simple registration rules that are different from those that apply to Real Play games.

You have a variety of available options when you sit at a Real Play poker table where blind bets are required – Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Five-Card Draw and 7-A Five-Card Draw “Italiano”.

If you are not sitting at the big blind bet position, you can:

• Post (lay down a big blind bet) and start the game, or
• Wait to sit at the big blind bet position and lay down the big blind bet.

If you take a seat between the puck and one of the blind bet positions, you will need to wait until the puck is located at the position that follows yours. You will then have the same options as above. The same rules apply when you return to the table after an absence.

Sit out

All of our Practice or Real Play poker tables allow you to sit out, whereby you can stop playing for one or more games but keep your seat (this is not the same thing as the "Time out" feature that is explained in our section on responsible gaming). Gaming etiquette would have it that players take part in the game more than they refuse to do so. For example, it is considered unacceptable to sit out at a table in order to wait for a favourite opponent to arrive or to stop someone from playing head to head.

To do this, click on the "Sit out next hand" option. To return to the game, deselect this option. The MS and/or MB indicators will be displayed to show you the amounts of the blind bets you missed. You will need to pay in those amounts to return to the game.

MS means Missed Small – the Small blind bet you missed.
MB means Missed Big – the Big blind bet you missed.

Please note that if you take too long to choose your game option, the system will automatically make you check and then put you in "Sit out next hand" mode. If the "check" option is not available, the system will make you fold instead, before it puts you in the "Sit out next hand" mode. If you are absent for more than ten hands, you will be automatically booted from the table.