S
Sohmurr
Rock Star
Silver Level
I'm fairly certain most of you are familiar with Chris Ferguson's full tilt poker Academy Pre-Flop Play Challenge. I recently finished completing the challenge all 10 times but still can not make up my mind on the validity of varying bet sizes based on position. The blind stealing and non-open limping parts of the challenge are sound parts of any NLHE cash game strategy, but I can't make up my mind about varying the bet sizes.
Ferguson states in the video his reasoning for this is because it makes it easier to get away from the weaker part of your range of early and middle position hands versus a reraise. He also states that your opponents ranges won't do so well, so when they call you shouldn't mind as much. I agree with this to the extent that you must be good enough to get away from trouble situations with big pairs if you play for the min or 2.5BB raise.
Nevertheless, I still debate whether a standard 3BB raise across the board isn't the best move. Then again, is 1BB truly big enough to deter someone who wants to call for 2BB not to call for 3BB (especially when both opponents are significantly deep)? Anyone have a firm argument why one strategy is better than another? Or is it so similar that it's more a personal preference than something that changes your expected value?
Ferguson states in the video his reasoning for this is because it makes it easier to get away from the weaker part of your range of early and middle position hands versus a reraise. He also states that your opponents ranges won't do so well, so when they call you shouldn't mind as much. I agree with this to the extent that you must be good enough to get away from trouble situations with big pairs if you play for the min or 2.5BB raise.
Nevertheless, I still debate whether a standard 3BB raise across the board isn't the best move. Then again, is 1BB truly big enough to deter someone who wants to call for 2BB not to call for 3BB (especially when both opponents are significantly deep)? Anyone have a firm argument why one strategy is better than another? Or is it so similar that it's more a personal preference than something that changes your expected value?