BOMB POT POKER
Bomb Pot poker adds a dynamic twist to traditional poker, and understanding the rules is crucial. It’s similar to classic poker games, but with a huge twist.
What is Bomb Pot?
A Bomb Pot is a cash game poker feature where all players contribute to the pot before any cards are dealt, creating instant high-stakes action from the very start.
In traditional games, each hand requires the same mandatory preflop bet (the small and big blinds). In Bomb Pot games, most of the hands play in this traditional style, but occasionally a Bomb Pot is activated. When this happens, everyone contributes a preset amount that is much larger than typical blinds.
Instead of starting preflop, a Bomb Pot hand skips it and proceeds to the flop. With no preflop information, it’s always more difficult to guess what cards players are holding.
Rules of Bomb Pot Poker
Bomb Pot rules align with traditional poker variants once the flop is dealt, but there are still things to know.
Here are the rules of CoinPoker’s Bomb Pot poker games:
Poker Formats
Bomb Pot games happen in Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, 5-Card Pot Limit Omaha, and 6-Card Pot Limit Omaha formats.
Bomb Pot Stakes
Bomb Pot games start at $0.01/$0.02 and run up to the high stakes, with the contribution ranging from 1BB to 3BB per Bomb Pot hand.
Preflop Contribution
All players put a randomly selected amount of chips into the pot before the hand begins, creating the Bomb Pot.
Game Progression
Pre-flop action is skipped, and the flop cards are dealt immediately; from there, the hand is played as usual.
Hand Rankings
Standard hand poker rankings are used in Bomb Pot games.
Bomb Pots create a much bigger pot by the river, because on top of the pre-agreed amounts contributed, a normal hand is also played. The preflop contribution often has a multiplier effect on the action.
One interesting variation is the Double Bomb Pot, where two sets of five community cards are dealt. When the flop arrives, two flops are dealt, and the same doubling happens on the turn and river. This significantly increases the potential for winning combinations and adds another layer of strategy and unpredictability.
Betting Structure
The betting structure is slightly different, as everyone starts the hand by paying for the Bomb Pot. As there is no pre-flop, there’s no action before the cards land on the table. But on the flop, there’s already a large pot brewing. This often brings out extra aggression as players compete for a sizeable payday.
Button Play
Being on the button in Bomb Pot Poker is a real advantage. The last player to act has much more information at their disposal and can value-bet more effectively. There’s no better time to be sitting in such an advantageous table position. There’s more to win, and the button player has the best shot at victory.
Importance of Hand Value
The large pot sizes from the outset can significantly impact how players value their hands. Remember, nobody chose to play their hands preflop, and ranges are wider. It doesn’t mean strong hands are impossible, but you’ll have to assess your relative hand strength after the flop.
How to Play Bomb Pot Poker
To start a game of Bomb Pot poker, all players at the table must be aware that it’s a Bomb Pot game and understand the costs.
Here is a quick 3-step example of beginning a typical game and what to expect as it plays out:
Game Setup
The basic setup is the same, no matter which variant you play. At random points during the cash game, a Bomb Pot will occur. Each player will make their preflop contribution.
No Pre-Flop Betting
There’s no traditional pre-flop betting round. Instead, the game moves directly to the flop after dealing the hole cards.
Playing the Hand
Play continues with the betting rounds as usual, starting with the flop, then the turn, and the river. If players remain after the river, there’s a showdown, and the winner is decided.
FAQs
A Bomb Pot is a cash game poker variant where all players contribute to a large pot before any cards are dealt, then begin playing poker after the preflop stage.
To play Bomb Pot poker, join a Bomb Pot cash game and wait until your first Bomb Pot hand occurs. The contribution for this special round will automatically be taken, and everyone will start playing on the flop.
This is a double deal, where two separate flops are dealt with all the usual Bomb Pot rules. The game plays normally, but with the option of making a hand from two different flops. When the turn comes, two turn cards are dealt (one for each board). The same double-dealing happens on the river.
Bomb Pot poker can be played in home games, certain casinos, and online poker platforms such as CoinPoker that offer this exciting variant.