FREQUENTLY ASKED POKER QUESTIONS Q: I’ve heard that a check-raise is not permitted in all forms of poker. Is this true? If so, which games don’t allow it? A: A check-raise is used in all games of poker apart from certain styles of Lowball.
Q: What are the betting limitations or rules on betting for limit poker? A: For any pot involving three or more players who are not all-in, there is a maximum of a bet and three raises allowed.
IMPORTANT ADDITONAL POINTS It’s worth noting that unlimited raising for cash games is allowed during heads-up encounters. This unlimited situation kicks in any time the action becomes heads-up before the raising has become capped. If the raising is capped for a given betting round the cap cannot be lifted by a subsequent fold which leaves two players in a heads-up contest. During tournament play the “three raise maximum” applies to all aspects of the game including any heads up play.
CARDS MISSING RULE? Q: If, after a game has finished, it is discovered that one or two cards were inadvertently missing from the deck, does it render the hand which has been played without those cards null and void? A: No it doesn’t. The situation is considered to have been equal for all parties assuming there are no complaints about obvious or suspected skulduggery. A genuine mishap doesn’t automatically undo a result.
Q: Is it true that if a player accidentally drops one or both of his or her hole cards on the floor during a game, he or she is required by the rules to play them? A: Yes. That’s correct. Of course, the unfortunate player has the option to then fold when his or her turn arrives to act but the play must continue otherwise the incident could be used deliberately to pull out of a game which is being lost by the player concerned.
BLIND AMBITION Q: During heads-up play with two blinds, which blind is on the button? A: The small blind is on the button.
Q: If I’m waiting to enter a game, what are my options? A: Normally you would wait for the big blind. Alternatively you can post an amount that matches the big blind and be dealt a hand right away. The only exception to this that I’m aware of is in Lowball where you would have to post twice the big blind to enter or, again, wait for the big blind.
