Five basic actions
The actions available on your turn depend on the situation.
- Fold: leave the hand and give up your claim to the pot.
- Check: pass the action when there is no outstanding bet to match.
- Bet: open voluntary betting for the round.
- Call: match the required amount, or go all-in if your stack is shorter.
- Raise: increase the current bet after accounting for the call.
No-limit, pot-limit and fixed-limit
In no-limit, the maximum commitment is bounded by the player's available stack. In pot-limit, the maximum raise depends on the pot and call amount. Fixed-limit uses specified betting units. Minimum raises and whether a short all-in reopens action follow the applicable rules.
A pot-limit example
The pot starts at 100 and an opponent bets 50, making it 150. You have not contributed this round and face a call of 50. After calling, the pot would be 200, so you may raise by up to 200: a total commitment of 250.
These numbers illustrate a rule, not betting advice. Existing contributions, multiway action and uncalled amounts can change the calculation.
An all-in does not contest every chip
Example: the cumulative contributions during this betting round are A 50, B 120 and C 200. Matching 50 from each of the three players creates a main pot of 150. B and C each match another 70, creating a side pot of 140. C's unmatched 80 is returned.
A can win only the main pot. B and C can contest the main pot and the relevant side pot. A folded player's contributed chips remain in the pot, but that player cannot win it.
Rules may vary between platforms, tables and events. This guide explains common rules; available games, eligibility and dispute procedures are determined by the platform's official announcements.
Keep exploring
This guide was independently compiled in Chinese. The following sources let you verify the rules.
PokerStars official game guide(new window)PokerStars tournament rules(new window)