Cap Games In Cash Poker
Time to learn about the 'cap' in cash poker - is it for you?
22 January 2008 by Philip Tuck
"The cap also encourages action, as it allows players to gamble with hands that they may have to fold when a whole buy in was on the line"
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So, just what is a cap game?
A cap works by limiting the amount any player can put into the pot to a specific amount, usually around half the maximum buy in. Once this figure is reached then the players are considered all in, with no further action able to take place. The basic idea behind the cap is to stop players with multiple buy-ins from playing colossal pots together. * * * * * * * ADVERTISEMENT * * * * * * * Poker Verdict Special Offers: * * * * * * * ADVERTISEMENT * * * * * * *
The reason for a cap is particularly pronounced in big action games like pot limit Omaha, where monster pots are often played on very slight equities. Imagine that you and another skilled player have been dominating a cash game and both won 4-5 buy ins. Then suddenly you flop top set, they flop a monster draw, and you’re basically flipping a coin for 10 buy ins - not good unless you are a true action junky. Capping the pot prevents this.
The cap also encourages action, as it allows players to gamble with hands that they may have to fold when a whole buy in was on the line (bottom set, low flush draws, etc.). After all, if you flop bottom set in PLO, re raise a pot bettor and then get re shoved for a buy in you should often just fold, whereas with a cap you will only have to call a little more to see a big pot in this spot - making the odds clearly correct to call.
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As a result cap games require a subtly different approach to regular ring games. The most important thing to remember is that plays will often be down to last in. That is, the person who is first to reach the cap. There are far fewer opportunities to re bluff or be re bluffed - in a raised pot pre flop often a continuation bet will be the cap - there is not much room to manoeuvre and make fancy plays. This makes cap games the perfect location for good solid poker.
Saying this, the cap also allows you to trust your reads more often, and in effect let you play more skilled and fancy poker. Imagine you raise 99 and get re raised by a loose aggressive player and you call. The flop comes down 10 5 2 and he caps. This can be a great spot to call. Often - the loose player may just be firing again with over cards or a lower pair than yours. As it will be capped on the flop you can call safe in the knowledge that you can trust your instincts and not have to commit lots of chips. This is not the same in a un capped no limit game, where if you call you may well face bigger bets on subsequent streets if you call, or a big re raise from them if you raise.
Overall, cap games provide a great environment to play poker. They reduce the razor edge environment of no limit and pot limit ‘big bet’ games, while still maintaining the original character of the games; as well as allowing a few skilled players to play with each other safe in the knowledge that they will not lose all their night’s profit in one hand. They also seem to encourage bad players to gamble much more freely on weak hands - always a good thing at the tables.
22/02/08
Cap games require a subtly different approach to regular ring games.