thepokerkid123
Visionary
Silver Level
The standard raise sizes seem to be mostly 3bb+1 per limper and 4bb+1 per limper.
Also at least in cash games it is benefical to raise more/less based on position. Basically adding an extra 1bb in EP and using your standard raise in LP will show better results. Not sure about tournaments.
Anyway, recently I've been plugging a lot of leaks that have been in my game for a long time and one major leak was that my bet sizing sucked. The biggest adjustment was pre-flop going from 3bb to 4bb which saw an immediate increase in my winrate. I only made that adjustment as a trial and error thing, the fact is I don't know why one size should be more optimal than the other.
My thoughts:
Smaller raise sizes favour post-flop play, keeping the SPR high. Big raises create a bigger edge on earlier streets, but on later streets can result in a closer to neutral EV situation - i.e. both players are getting correct odds to either stack off or chase their draws.
Smaller raises are best used with a wide range. Your raise size shouldn't be based on the strength of your hand, but basing it on the strength of your range is quite good (in my opinion). The smaller your pre-flop raise the smaller the 'mistake' you're making by playing a weaker range. Similarly if you're playing very tight then big raises maximise your edge in having a stronger range (and make it difficult for people to proffitably chase implied odds).
Smaller raises favour whoever is in position because the SPR is high. Bigger raises should also favour whoever is in position because bigger pots are being played in position. Both of these statements can't be true, either a bigger raise or a smaller raise is more beneficial but I don't know which.
So anyway, any thoughts on how to choose pre-flop raise sizes?
Also at least in cash games it is benefical to raise more/less based on position. Basically adding an extra 1bb in EP and using your standard raise in LP will show better results. Not sure about tournaments.
Anyway, recently I've been plugging a lot of leaks that have been in my game for a long time and one major leak was that my bet sizing sucked. The biggest adjustment was pre-flop going from 3bb to 4bb which saw an immediate increase in my winrate. I only made that adjustment as a trial and error thing, the fact is I don't know why one size should be more optimal than the other.
My thoughts:
Smaller raise sizes favour post-flop play, keeping the SPR high. Big raises create a bigger edge on earlier streets, but on later streets can result in a closer to neutral EV situation - i.e. both players are getting correct odds to either stack off or chase their draws.
Smaller raises are best used with a wide range. Your raise size shouldn't be based on the strength of your hand, but basing it on the strength of your range is quite good (in my opinion). The smaller your pre-flop raise the smaller the 'mistake' you're making by playing a weaker range. Similarly if you're playing very tight then big raises maximise your edge in having a stronger range (and make it difficult for people to proffitably chase implied odds).
Smaller raises favour whoever is in position because the SPR is high. Bigger raises should also favour whoever is in position because bigger pots are being played in position. Both of these statements can't be true, either a bigger raise or a smaller raise is more beneficial but I don't know which.
So anyway, any thoughts on how to choose pre-flop raise sizes?