Over the top
Over the top means to raise after a bet and one or more raises have already been made. It is a re-raise that puts pressure on the opponents and often shows a very strong hand.
The simple explanation
If one player bets and another raises, a player who raises again goes over the top of them.
A closer look
The move is commonly used in Hold'em, Omaha and stud. It is a strong line because the player risks more chips behind two other players. It can be a bluff, but usually a player who goes over the top has a hand such as a set or the nuts. When you face this action, remember that the range is stronger than for a single raise.
A practical example
A player bets 10, another raises to 30, and a third player raises to 90 over the top.
Full explanation
Over the top means to raise after a bet and one or more raises have already been made. It is a re-raise that puts pressure on the opponents and often shows a very strong hand.
Over the top is a raise over a bet and a previous raise.
It puts pressure on the opponents.
It usually shows a very strong hand.
It can also be a bluff.
Coming over the top
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB QQueen of spades (Qs)QQueen of clubs (Qc) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB QQueen of spades (Qs)QQueen of clubs (Qc) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB QQueen of spades (Qs)QQueen of clubs (Qc) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
The flop gives Player B a set of queens. Player B acts first.
Board: QQueen of diamonds (Qd)88 of clubs (8c)33 of spades (3s)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB QQueen of spades (Qs)QQueen of clubs (Qc) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Flop · Pot: 18 chips
Player B bets 6.
Board: QQueen of diamonds (Qd)88 of clubs (8c)33 of spades (3s)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB QQueen of spades (Qs)QQueen of clubs (Qc) · Stack 188 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 42 chips
Player A raises to 24 on top of Player B's bet. Players say Player A has come over the top.
Board: QQueen of diamonds (Qd)88 of clubs (8c)33 of spades (3s)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 170 · In this round 24
- Player B BB QQueen of spades (Qs)QQueen of clubs (Qc) · Stack 188 · In this round 6
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.