A pot limit is one of the types of betting structures in poker where the maximum bet the player can place is limited to the current size of the pot. In pot-limit games, players can place bets which do not exceed the size of the pot at a given moment.

Here’s how pot-limit games work:

At the start of the round: At the first stage of the round, cards are dealt to the players and the starting pot is equal to zero.

Betting rounds: After the pocket cards are dealt, the players start the betting round, where they can place bets, raise, and call within the limits of the current pot. Players can bet any sum not exceeding the current size of the pot.

Increasing the pot: When players place bets and raise, the size of the pot increases. This happens because every new bet adds to the current pot.

Overbetting: If a player decides to place a bet which is worth more than the current pot, their bet will automatically be reduced to the size of the pot. This means that the player cannot bet more than the current pot total.

Betting continues: Betting rounds continue until all players have called and matched their bets or folded.

Result: After completing the round, the pot will go to the player with the strongest hand.

Pot-limit games are a more dynamic and strategically difficult type of game than fixed-limit games, but they're less aggressive and risky than no-limit poker. It requires players to manage their bets and bankroll closely, as the size of the pot can increase quickly during the betting round.