I play .5/1 through 2/4 S8b on AP and PS. I am approaching 4k hands, and have a good win rate, but I still am stumped at why I should raise the bring-in with low cards on 3rd.

Do I want to build a big pot? Or thin the field?

Let me give you some hands:

1.

2. ?

3. ?

Are any of these jamming (reraising) hands (multi-way or heads-up)?

Do I want to build a big pot with multiple callers so I can "take a card off" on 4th if I brick? If I get it heads-up do I fold to a brick on 4th?

I know the question kind of broad but if I understand the reason to raise, I can identify the situaitons myself.

There are a few things to consider

Which card is showing?

How many other opponents are in or likely to be in?

What are the other cards showing and dead?

Hand 1 is definetly worth ramming and jamming in a multi-way pot regardless of what your upcard is. However, if it is the 7 you need to also be raising other hands with a 7 showing like (46)7 or (68)7.

Hand 2 is ehh. if everyone (except the bring in) is showing above a 6 I would raise in a multi-way pot. Since the cards that will give you straight draws will also give you a rather highish low

Hand 3 is almost always worth raising multi-way, but if you catch bad on 4th you'll probably have to abandon ship. A24 is way different than 245, even if you hit that 3 you still only have a gutshot for the high end.

None of those hands are really stellar heads up but I would open raise if I had a shot to take down the antes and bring in or isolate a person who consistently folds on later streets, especially with an Ace as an upcard.

As an afterthought, this is reason I like to fold hands like (68)A so when I raise up a (24)A I get credit for a strong hand

thanks.

How many other opponents are in or likely to be in?

I didn't want to get too situational. If you think a hand is better multi-way (build a pot), I wouldn't raise it if it were going to chase people out.