How to Play Poker Cap Games Part 1: Making Adjustments

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Arved Klöhn Pokerlistings Author
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  • Last updated on: January 14, 2025

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This is the first in a two-part series looking at cap games and some of the adjustments needed to adapt your game.

Unlike a regular No-Limit game (where the amount you can buy in for is capped, usually at 100x the big blind, but there’s no limit on what you can lose in a given hand), in a cap game you can buy in for as much as you like. Instead, the amount you can lose on any given hand is limited – or capped (thus the name).

Cap games are becoming increasingly popular in high-stakes poker. One reason: cap games are livelier than a standard game, since the maximum amount you can lose on a hand is capped. As a result, players are much more aggressive.

Interestingly enough, the amount of the cap varies slightly between No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha Hi. For example, in No-Limit Hold’em, with blinds of $2/$4, you have a cap of $120. With the same size blinds in Pot-Limit Omaha Hi, you’d have a cap of $160.

No-Limit Hold’em Cap Games, Explained

For the sake of this article, we’ll focus our discussion on No-Limit Hold’em cap games and some of the adjustments you’ll need to make to end up with the money.

The primary adjustment is to play (selectively) more aggressively. Because of the cap, there’s less of a penalty when you get caught with your hand in the cookie jar.

Since the most you can lose on any given hand is $120, you’re far less likely to get yourself in any awkward situations on the turn or the river. By that time, all of the money is already in the middle.

Some other important adjustments to consider when playing in a cap game:

1. Don’t play small pairs heads-up in raised pots.

In raised pots, small pocket pairs can’t be profitably played for set value. Imagine a $2/$4 game. If the pot is raised to $15 pre-flop, you’ll have to call $15 and the most you can win is $120. This is exactly 8x the $15 bet.

Despite a growing popularity in recent months, most players are still fairly unfamiliar with cap games. But the way a cap game works is relatively simple.

Since you’ll flop a set approximately one in eight times, it’s fairly clear you don’t have the implied odds to try and hit your set.

Paradoxically, because the stacks are effectively much shorter, small pairs can also occasionally be played more aggressively than normal. If you think your opponent has raised with two big cards, a large re-raise is often a good play.

You have fold equity and even if your opponent calls, you’re still a slight favorite to win a race.

Example:
Suppose you’re in middle position with 7 7 . An aggressive player in early position raises to $15. You suspect they’re opening with hands like K Q , A J , or A K . Because you only risk a maximum of $120 if you go all-in, you decide to re-raise and put your opponent to the test. Even if called, you have a fair chance to win a coin flip, and if they fold, you pick up a decent pot uncontested.

2. If the pot has been raised, you can be more aggressive with your re-raises.

Specifically, if you think you’re ahead of your opponent’s range, play aggressively. Any time you have A-K in a cap No-Limit game, you should be happy to get all of your money in pre-flop.

I would also tend to re-raise all-in (the amount of the cap) with weaker hands such as 66-JJ and A-Q, A-J and K-Q anytime there was a raise followed by one or two callers.

3. Don’t be afraid to move in with any reasonable draw.

As we’ve mentioned, one of the most interesting aspects of cap games is that people will play far more aggressively. This is primarily because their downside is limited to 30x the big blind.

Consequently, if you consider the possibility of your fold equity, it’s not hard to see how there’s little downside to playing your draws aggressively.

In fact, any reasonable draw should usually be played fast – especially if you’re up against a single opponent (where the probability of getting your opponent to fold increases dramatically).

Example:
You hold 9 8 on a 5 6 7 flop. Facing a small bet, you re-raise all-in. Even if you get called, you still have a robust number of outs, and by playing this draw aggressively, you often force your opponent to fold hands like A 8 or 10 10 . When everyone’s stack is capped at , the risk feels smaller compared to deeper-stacked play.

4. Avoid playing (small) suited connectors in raised pots.

The case for avoiding small suited connectors is much the same as that for steering clear of the small pocket pairs. Simply put, in a raised pot, you won’t be able to get the correct (implied) odds to call a pre-flop raise.To play suited connectors profitably, you need to have much deeper stacks.

Of course, you can still limp in, and if there are several players in a pot, calling a small raise can be okay too. But you should very rarely attempt to play smaller suited connectors heads-up, especially in a raised pot.

I hope this introduction to cap games, and more specifically, No-Limit Hold’em cap games, has at least piqued your interest. Cap games are loads of fun and can be found at many different sites.

In our next article, we’ll talk about Pot-Limit Omaha Hi cap games and some of the adjustments needed to adapt your game.

Staying Ahead in Cap Games

Cap games require precision and discipline, especially because the capped loss structure promotes more frequent all-in situations. When the effective stack is set at 30x the big blind, every decision you make carries more weight. In a normal No-Limit Hold’em game, you often have multiple streets to size your bets in relation to the pot and stack size. In a cap game, these creative bet-sizing opportunities are more limited, so it becomes crucial to make the most profitable choices pre-flop or on the earliest betting round.

If you study GTO (Game Theory Optimal) strategies for shorter stacks, you’ll find many recommended charts that highlight when to call, fold, or shove. These charts become even more valuable in a cap game because the effective stacks typically resemble short-stack play. Consistent application of these guidelines helps you avoid marginal situations where calling might offer insufficient equity.

Short-Stack Mathematics

Analyzing pot odds and equities is essential to thriving in a cap game. Since you can’t lose more than the cap, understanding how much equity you need to justify an all-in call is crucial. For instance, if you are facing a raise and your re-shove will be for the full cap, calculate whether your hand’s equity against your opponent’s likely range is sufficient to make the play profitable.

Short-stack mathematics also helps you exploit opponents who overvalue speculative hands. Because they cannot lose more than the cap, some players may loosen up even with marginal holdings. By focusing on equity calculations, you can isolate weaker ranges and capitalize on their mistakes before the cap comes into play.

GTO Ranges for Capped Pots

Even if you rely on near-GTO ranges in a regular No-Limit game, adjusting for cap conditions matters. You can afford to push narrower edges pre-flop and on the flop since you won’t face deeper-stacked turn and river action. Incorporating updated chart ranges specifically built for shorter effective stacks allows you to seize profitable shoving opportunities more consistently.

FAQ

What is a cap game?

A cap game is a poker format where the maximum amount you can lose in a single hand is fixed at a certain level, known as the cap. Unlike a traditional No-Limit game that allows deeper betting on every street, a cap game restricts your potential losses to a predetermined limit.

How does the cap structure affect aggression?

The cap structure typically increases aggression because players know their total risk is limited. They feel more comfortable moving all-in with draws and marginal hands, which creates a more dynamic playing environment where pots escalate quickly.

Is set mining profitable in cap games?

Set mining with small pairs becomes much less profitable when stacks are capped at 30x the big blind. The reduced implied odds make it difficult to recoup your pre-flop call unless you are confident your opponent’s range is dominated by high-card hands, in which case a re-raise might be more effective.

Why is pre-flop strategy more important in a cap game?

Pre-flop strategy is essential because many decisions and confrontations occur before the flop even comes down. With capped losses, you have fewer streets to outmaneuver your opponents, so reading ranges accurately and applying the right level of aggression early on become more valuable.

When should I move all-in on a draw in a cap game?

Moving all-in on a strong draw can be a good strategy when you have fold equity and enough outs to justify the risk. Because the cap limits your losses, you often benefit from maximizing fold equity or getting called by worse hands, both of which can improve your overall expected value in a shorter effective stack scenario.

How can GTO principles help in cap games?

GTO principles provide an optimal baseline for playing short stacks. By following GTO-based shove and call ranges, you reduce exploitable leaks and make tough decisions more systematic. In a cap game, these ranges can be slightly looser because your loss is pre-defined, but they still guide solid play.

Are there significant differences between No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha Hi cap games?

There are some notable differences, primarily because Pot-Limit Omaha Hi is played with four hole cards and has different equity distribution. PLO cap games often have a slightly higher cap compared to Hold’em at the same blinds, which can create even more aggressive pre-flop dynamics. However, the fundamental principle of restricted losses remains the same in both variants.

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