[image]

This has been touched on in other threads, but I thought it may merit conversation on it's own. Please post reasons in addition to voting in the poll.

I've read two diametrically opposed beliefs on how to handle this, and both quote the same reason.

If you have a raising hand:
Option 1 - Always raise the same amount, to camouflage the strength of your hand (I think the first book I read that had this strategy was one by Cloutier, but I'm not sure)
Option 2 - Vary your raise randomly, to camouflage the strength of your hands (for instance, always raise between 3-5x the bb with AA, but vary randomly... this is the strategy that Harrington has in the HOH)

[jojobinks]

option three. raise different amounts, but for reasons rather than deception.

[smoore]

When I was newer, I would always raise the same amount. Now I raise different amounts for:

1) Deception/randomness
2) Hand Strength (bigger might mean AA... or it might mean 76s)
3) Position
4) Current Image
5) My stack vs. the blinds' stacks

there are probably a few others but they don't come to mind right now... oh yeah:

6) Inebriation

[links_slayer]

I raise different amounts. There are a lot of factors that come into play, but rarely do I raise the same amount every time.

[Go Mifune]

I kinda like Harrington's random raise method from HOH1. Look at the second hand on your watch - 1-15 limp, 16-30 2x, 31-45 3x, 46-00 4x. Its fun to pull this one out occasionally during a tournament. People (especially if they don't know you) will give some funny looks.

I really need to read that book again.

[xtwalker]

In cash games I always open for the same amount, ($20 in a $3-5 game) and I never vary from it. When I raise it up with limpers ahead of me I generally go with $20+5 for every limper, but adjust that based on who the limpers are, and current reads. To me, this has two affects, 1) it disguises my hand since I will open for $20 with AA or with J7os in late possition. 2) it keeps me from opening with stupid hands like J7os very often, and especially in early possition.

A favorite play is to min raise, or use a very small raise in late possition when there are several limpers ahead of me. This gives them a chance to give away hand strength without costing me much money. It also allows me to build a pot and get post flop action into dollar figures that a lot of the players aren't comfortable with.

If I am raising an opened pot, I generally raise to 3x the open +x for each caller. Again, this is dependent on the players and current reads though.

Tournaments, all bets are off. I play a lot of tourneys with lousy structures that a 2x the BB bet has the same effect as a 4 or 5x BB bet. Not to mention the chip stacks are generally very low relative to the blinds so there isn't much room to play after the flop. All opens become very situational.

[image]

Originally Posted by xtwalker

In cash games I always open for the same amount, ($20 in a $3-5 game) and I never vary from it. When I raise it up with limpers ahead of me I generally go with $20+5 for every limper, but adjust that based on who the limpers are, and current reads. To me, this has two affects, 1) it disguises my hand since I will open for $20 with AA or with J7os in late possition. 2) it keeps me from opening with stupid hands like J7os very often, and especially in early possition.

A favorite play is to min raise, or use a very small raise in late possition when there are several limpers ahead of me. This gives them a chance to give away hand strength without costing me much money. It also allows me to build a pot and get post flop action into dollar figures that a lot of the players aren't comfortable with.

If I am raising an opened pot, I generally raise to 3x the open +x for each caller. Again, this is dependent on the players and current reads though.

Tournaments, all bets are off. I play a lot of tourneys with lousy structures that a 2x the BB bet has the same effect as a 4 or 5x BB bet. Not to mention the chip stacks are generally very low relative to the blinds so there isn't much room to play after the flop. All opens become very situational.

I didn't know how to work this into the OP, but when I originally thought of the question, this was part it. That is, the difference between cash games and tournaments (if any). So this was a very insightful read. Thanks xtwalker

[dad604]

In ring games, I tend to raise the same amount. In tourneys, it varies depending on the tourney, from the same to all in sometimes for the wild low buy ins.

[the3rd]

I usually raise the same amount regardless of position if I am first in the pot. If others are already in the pot or I am hoping to make a play at a player behind me, I will raise a different amount.

[Quads]

IMO raising the same amount with certain hands is one of the most dangerous habits your game will / can develop. Surely -ev. There should be no "standard ____X raise". I cringe when I hear / read that.