Live Game Stakes

Cardrooms typically offer stakes that will keep the tables consistently full. What specific limits those are will be determined by differnt factors including local law, size of the cardroom, popularity of the cardroom, etc...

You will usually find a good mix of stakes in all but the smallest cardrooms (or where higher limits are prohibited by law).

In the low-limit range, you will usually see limits of $2-$4, $3-$6, or $4-$8. These will usually be full, as they are the lowest stakes in the house that you can play.

In the mid range, some places will offer $5-10, $6-$12, $10-$20, and $15-30.

Higher limits will be offered is they can be profitably attended, and allowed by law.

Spread Limits

In some casino's, spread limits are offered. Spread limits differ from the standard limits in that a player may wager the big bet at any point in the game. For example, we will contrast a standard $2-$4 limit hand with a $2-$5 spread limit hand.

In the limit game, there is usually a $1 small blind, and a $2 big blind. Players must bet in $2 increments during the first and second betting rounds. During the third and fourth rounds they must bet in $4 increments. The maximum cost for staying in a hand through all rounds with maximum betting is $48.

In the spread limit game, there is also a $1 small blind, and a $2 big blind. The MINIMUM bet during the entire hand is $2. At any point in any round, players may bet the full 5$. For instance before the flop, a player wishes to raise the maximum amount. This would be $5 for a total of $7. The maximum cost for staying in a hand through all rounds with maximum betting is $77. You can see the effect the spread limit structure has on the game.