How is the minimum raise calculated? WPT Global raise rules and short all-ins
The minimum raise in Texas Hold’em isn’t “whatever the last player bet, you add the same.” You must raise by at least the increment of the previous raise. On WPT Global the app does the math for you, and the far left of the raise slider is always the minimum allowed. Still, understanding the rule explains why the raise button is sometimes grayed out.
Basic rules
Section titled “Basic rules”| Situation | Minimum amount | Example (1/2 blinds) |
|---|---|---|
| No bet yet this round | Bet at least 1 big blind | Postflop, bet at least 2 |
| Preflop | The big blind counts as the first bet; raise to at least 2 big blinds | Raise to at least 4 |
| After a bet | Add the increment of the previous bet or raise | Someone bets 10; raise to at least 20 |
| After a raise | Same as above | Someone raises from 10 to 30 (+20); raise to at least 50 |
In other words, each raise must be at least as large as the previous raise.
Short all-ins (under-raises)
Section titled “Short all-ins (under-raises)”When a player without enough chips goes all-in for less than a full raise, a special rule applies:
- Players who have already acted this round can only call or fold; they can’t re-raise.
- Players who haven’t acted yet can raise as usual, and the minimum raise is still based on the increment of the last full raise.
Example at 1/2 blinds:
- A raises to 6 (an increase of 4).
- B calls 6.
- C has only 8 left and goes all-in. That’s just 2 more than 6, less than the full raise of 4, so it’s a short all-in.
- Back to A and B: they’ve already acted, so they can only call 8 or fold. They can’t re-raise.
The WPT Global app handles this automatically and disables the raise button in this situation, so you don’t have to remember the rule yourself.
On the other hand, if C’s all-in is a full raise (for example, all-in for 10, an increase of 4), it counts as a normal raise and both A and B can raise again.
No-Limit vs. Pot-Limit
Section titled “No-Limit vs. Pot-Limit”| Game | Maximum bet |
|---|---|
No-Limit (NLHE, Short Deck) | No cap; up to all-in |
Pot-Limit (PLO) | Up to the size of the pot; see Omaha rules for how it’s calculated |
The minimum raise rule is the same in both.
What's the minimum raise in Texas Hold'em?
You must raise by at least the amount of the previous bet or raise increment in the current round. With no bet yet, the minimum bet is one big blind. If someone bets 10, you must raise to at least 20. If someone raises from 10 to 30 (an increase of 20), you must raise to at least 50.
What's the minimum raise preflop?
Preflop, the big blind counts as the first bet, so the minimum raise is to two big blinds. At 1/2 blinds, you must raise to at least 4.
Why can't I press the raise button?
Usually because someone ahead of you went all-in for less than a full raise and you've already acted this round. A short all-in doesn't reopen the betting, so you can only call or fold.
What's the most I can raise in No-Limit?
There's no cap; the most you can put in is all the chips you have on the table (all-in). In Pot-Limit (PLO), you can raise at most the size of the pot.
For the rest of the Texas Hold’em rules, see WPT Global Texas Hold’em rules (NLHE).