Hey


I was messing around on stars with AV8or last night and it came to light that i think i simply call and dont raise enough pre flop, But i would like to understand more of why the raise is so much better than the call pre flop


I mean normally i fit or fold on the flop depending on how many others are in etc and overcards or whatever, but say you raise with 88 why would you do that preflop....if you dont get an 8 on the flop and there are overcards or someone else shows strength i would usuaully fold, so why pay more than you have to see the flop.

I can understand with AA KK QQ AK and JJ but with the others arn't you just looking to see if the flop hits you and take it from there?


So raising

1. Keeps your aggressive table image (how does this help alot?)
2. You may snipe the blinds every now and again
3. Limit your competiton (only with premium hands right?)
4.make your opponents more clearly define their hands


Thanks
As ive seen this tip everywhere even on lederers video, im obviously needing to do it i just would like to understand more of the argument as to why, this has been mostly answeared by av8or im just looking for pfo'ers opinions on this etc.

Well, the biggest reason to raise IMO isn't on your list.

You want to get as much money in the pot as possible before the flop while you have the best hand. Make the guy with J7 pay early so that when he flops nothing you still got more out of him than you would have just by calling.

It's making your opponents pay for their mistakes.

yeah,thanks...that applies mostly to the better hands like AA KK QQ AK JJ though dont it cos otherwise your ramming and jamming to get them to call it....into a pot your an underdog to even win (without those hands)

Cheers
That right?

I agree with Jte87 it's mainly to build a pot for the times that you hit but I also think it is a good idea to take the lead in a hand, if someone sees you as the pre-flop agressor and it's checked round to you, you are then in a stronger position to make a steal.

There's different reasons to raise PF depending on what you're trying to accomplish also. Raising PF when you have good hand you're raising basically for equity, get your money in when you think you have the best hand type thing.

Also limits your opponents, AA or KK is a great hand but do you really want to be playing it against 6 other people? Even smaller pocket pairs, like you mentioned 8's. If you have 8's and I have AK who has the best hand at that point? You're making me pay to catch a card that can beat you.

Basically you're looking to make it expensive for people with lesser hands pay to try and beat you. To me a bunch of limpers means "I have shit and am hoping to get lucky on the flop". Granted we'll all limp at times and there are times it's a better option. But if you feel your hand is good why aren't you willing to bet it PF, and if it's not that good why bother playing it?

As far as table image is concerned when you're raising and showing down good hands people can be less apt to challenge you with junk ot play it PF. They see "this guy raises and usually has the goods" so when you raise they might be more inclined to throw away a marginal hand that they might have gotten lucky with, also can help you steal occasionally as well.

One of the main reasons I raise (I'll raise a good amount of anything from LP+) is to set up the image that I don't know what I'm doing and some kind of maniac.

My big hands get paid off when someone wants to test me PF.

ahh, so if you guys are gonna get involved preflop is it like 80% of the time a raise, and is it better raising from late position as opposed to early generally.

Thanks

One major point is that if you raise late you are 'more' likely to see a forth card for free on a weak flop and a single face flop some one will need to be bold to lead out with say AJ assuming a J has landed for fear of the overpair) . This important because if you have to face cards a raise which gives you a forth card for free will statistically give you a 50/50 chance of hitting top pair. When you combine this with fold equity of blinds - its a very +ev move.

When you then bung in a CB on a weakplayer (depending on who you catch) - its surprising anyone loses a hand they are playing late