Betting structures: Explained
Alright, let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to follow, whether you’re completely new to poker or you’re experienced but new to mixed games.
Betting Structures in Poker
In poker, the betting structure is the rule that determines how much you can bet and raise during each round of betting. There are three main types of betting structures: No Limit (NL), Fixed Limit (FL), and Pot Limit (PL).
No Limit (NL)
What is it?
No Limit is the most common structure in cash games and tournaments, especially in No Limit Hold’em (NLHE). In NL, there is no cap on how much you can bet. You can go all-in at any point during the hand.
Example: If you’re playing a $1/$2 No Limit Hold’em game, you can raise as little as $2 (to $4), but you could also raise anywhere up to all-in for your entire stack of chips at any point.
Key Concept: The flexibility of No Limit creates high variance and huge swings, as players can make big bets or go all-in at any time. This is the reason No Limit Hold’em is so exciting to watch, and it also tends to create more aggressive play.
Fixed Limit (FL)
What is it?
Fixed Limit is a more structured version of betting. Here, the size of your bet is predetermined for each round of betting. For example, if you’re playing a $10/$20 Fixed Limit game (Blinds of $5/$10), you’re only allowed to bet in multiples of $10 on the first two rounds, and $20 on the later rounds / streets(**) / discard rounds. The table below details the minimum bet as “small bet or big bet” for each round.
| FL Game type | Small Bet streets/rounds | Big Bet streets/rounds |
| Flop games | Intial deal & Flop | Turn & River |
| Stud Games | Initial deal & 4th street | 5th, 6th & 7th streets |
| Draw games | Initial deal & 1st draw | 2nd and 3rd draws |
Example: In a $20/$40 Fixed Limit game, the first two betting rounds would be in increments of $20, and the remaining rounds for each game type would be in increments of $40.
** ‘Streets’ refers to each betting round type. The first being the initial deal for each game type, followed by a. Flop in games with the community board OR b. 4th street up card in Stud games OR c. First Discard round in Draw games. The next “street” referred to is then, Turn card, 5th street in Stud games and second draw round in Draw games, and so on.
Maximum raises
There are house rules on the number of raises allowed in Fixed Limit games, at Mixed Games Academy we allow one bet and four raises (up to 5 x the limit for that round of betting).
Key Concept: Fixed Limit keeps the action more controlled. You can’t make big moves like in No Limit, but you still need to know how to read situations and be able to value bet and bluff within the structure. It’s a bit more conservative, and the skill lies in knowing how to manage the fixed amounts effectively.
Pot Limit (PL)
What is it?
Pot Limit is a hybrid between Fixed Limit and No Limit. The amount you can bet is limited by the current size of the pot. If the pot is $100, you can bet $100, but if the pot grows, the bet sizes grow as well.
Example: In a Pot Limit game, if the pot is $100 on the flop, you could bet up to $100. If your opponent then raises to $300, you could then re-raise from minimum $500 up to maximum of $1,000 (3x $300 last full bet + $100 in Pot = $1,000). Pot Limit games can lead to large bets, but they’re still more controlled than No Limit.
Key Concept: Pot Limit creates an interesting dynamic because, as the pot grows, so does the potential for larger bets. But unlike No Limit, you’re not going all-in at will — you’re limited by what’s in the pot.
Mixed Game Rotations
In a mixed game rotation, multiple variants are played in a set order (or as a list for dealer’s choice), and the betting structures can change as the games rotate. Some common variants include:
– No Limit Hold’em (NLHE)
– Omaha (Pot Limit)
– Seven Card Stud (Fixed Limit)
– Razz (Fixed Limit)
– Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw (Fixed Limit)
– And many more with NL, PL & FL betting structures
As the games change, so do the betting structures, and this can be a real challenge for players who are used to just one betting structure. Let’s explore how a No Limit Hold’em game fits into this:
No Limit Hold’em (NLHE) will often feature in a mixed game rotation because it’s the most widely recognised and familiar betting structure and game type. But when the game shifts to a Fixed Limit or Pot Limit variant, you’ll need to adjust your mindset and strategy.
Strategy Shifts: In No Limit, you can use large bets to bluff, build big pots, or control the action, while in Fixed Limit, you have to play more cautiously and avoid big mistakes with the limited bet sizes. Pot Limit gives you more flexibility than Fixed Limit but is still more controlled than No Limit.
Challenge for Players: If you’re used to playing No Limit Hold’em exclusively, switching to a game with Fixed Limit or Pot Limit betting structures might feel like a bit of a culture shock. The pacing, bet sizing, and strategic considerations change drastically. For example, you might be used to making huge bluffs in No Limit, but in Fixed Limit, bluffing opportunities are fewer because the bets are smaller, and players tend to call more often.
Adjustment Period: Over time, you’ll need to understand how to adjust your ranges and betting strategies for each structure. For example, in Fixed Limit games, you may want to tighten up your hand ranges and avoid overcommitting with marginal hands. In Pot Limit and No Limit, your skill at reading the pot and making larger bets for value or as a bluff will come into play more significantly.
How These Betting Structures Relate to Each Other in a Mixed Game Rotation
No Limit Hold’em is a game where you can be as aggressive as you want, and it’s often considered the “wildest” form of poker. It’s where players can accumulate huge stacks quickly, which sets a high-energy tone.
When you shift to Fixed Limit games, the pace slows down, and you have to be more careful with your bets. You can’t just bully your way to the pot with large bets; you’ll need to rely on solid hand selection, position and timing.
Moving into Pot Limit games, the action is somewhere in between. You can bet more freely than in Fixed Limit, but it’s still much more controlled than No Limit, and the decisions around bet sizing become more important.
In Summary
No Limit is all about freedom and big moves — it’s fast-paced and allows for huge swings.
Fixed Limit requires a more methodical, disciplined approach — you need to know when to be patient and when to make your limited bets count.
Pot Limit is a middle ground, where the size of the pot dictates your betting options, creating some controlled excitement.
In a mixed game rotation, players have to constantly adjust their strategy depending on which variant they’re playing. Understanding how each betting structure works in its respective variant will help you stay competitive and make the right decisions when the game switches.
Big Bet versus Big Blind – what does it all mean?
In short, it all relates back to the structured betting limits set by the very knowledgeable Head of all things Mixed Games, me! But seriously, there are direct correlations you can make so you are able to understand a structure.
If you like to judge your stack by the number of big blinds you have:
|
Number of Big Blinds (NL & Pl) |
Equivalent number of Big Bets (FL streets) |
|
Short – 12 |
3 |
|
Medium – 40 |
10 |
|
Deep – 80 |
20 |
This is assuming the mixed structure has been developed correctly by the operator and considered “MGA approved”. Therefore, I can speak only on how things would be if you played our events, we specialise in running all forms of mixed games and spread the most variants that have ever been spread in Australia, ever. No-one comes close, so if mixed is for you, then, really, you need to get your butt to an MGA event.
For details of our next event, click here, be sure to subscribe for all the latest news and watch out for all the exciting developments we are releasing over the coming months!
Get in the Mix, it’s good for your soul!
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