Varying Open Raise Sizes

B

bw07507

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Total posts
2,219
Chips
0
Something I have been thinking about lately (after seeing a video on stox where someone did it) is varying my open raise size by position. In EP raising to 4x BB and in LP raising to 3x BB. Basically I will be stealing very frequently in late position so the 3x BB just gives me a cheaper steal. I don't think that the size of the raise will make people play back more/less. In EP I don't want a ton of people calling behind and playing a pot 4-way (usually, obv if I have a SC or low PP I don't mind a multiway pot, but I'm usually not raising SC in EP). The 4x BB raise would be more likely to get the pot HU. Obviously the raise size will never be based on hand strength, just position. I have actually seen a couple 50NL regs vary their raise size by the type of hand they have which is just bad. Obv we don't want to be varying raise size based on hand value as we will be easy to read. Anyone have any opinions on this??
 
ChuckTs

ChuckTs

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Total posts
13,642
Chips
0
Well the argument could go the other way too: oop you want to play smaller pots in general, and IP you want to play bigger ones.

I think you have to factor in more than just position. Stack sizes, aggressiveness of players behind you, position, hand strength, etc

Another very general subject that I feel depends on the exact situation rather than as a general rule.
 
WVHillbilly

WVHillbilly

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 7, 2007
Total posts
22,973
Chips
0
I do not vary my preflop raises based on position but most I've seen advocate it generally reverse your thinking (ie. less in EP more in LP). I will vary my preflop raises based on the stack sizes of my likely callers combined with my hand strength. For example, if I'm on the button with 44 and the BB is a bad loose player with 40bb stack, I'll open for 3x instead of 4x to give myself the implied odds I want to set mine. If I had a big pair or AQ+ in the same scenario I might make it 5x.
 
B

BM0529

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Feb 6, 2008
Total posts
66
Chips
0
I like the idea...definitely do not base it on hand strength....too often people make raises 8-10 times the BB when they have 10s, JJ, QQ and what I will sometimes do in this case, especially if I'm in the SB or BB and it folds around to me is call without even looking at my cards in intention of firing out if any A or K comes out on the flop knowing I'm most likely going to take down the pot right there because those raises are often red flags they dont want any Aces or Kings staying in the hand. Occasionally those raises are made by people with KK AK or AA but its alot less frequent and if thats the case they will let you know once you fire at it post flop.
 
Top