The Reasons for Raising

I posted a hand analysis recently in which I check raised the turn. One of the responses said that if I was raising the turn, I did something wrong. I started thinking about it, and though I am a solid overall player (I do have my weaknesses), I've never actually put a ton of thought into something as fundamental as raising. That being said...

Why/when are you raising the flop?
Turn?
River?

I get the feeling that most players are mindlessly raising to "be aggressive" or because they "have the best hand." But what are the REAL reasons for raising?

I look forward to this discussion!

well did he said why is check/raise there wrong? maybe it is just special situation?
do you have link to the hand you've posted?

DrazaFFT said:

well did he said why is check/raise there wrong? maybe it is just special situation?
do you have link to the hand you've posted?

Click to expand...

No, he didn't, but I was more or less hoping to discuss raising on different streets rather than that hand all over again.

A lot of times I raise for information. Also I dont like to just call to begin a pot unless I have previous solid info on the villian. Poker is a pressure game the more you exert the better you do. As always im just learning so dont go broke on what I say. Good luck.

yeah, rais for information if you dont know the player(S)

I raise into the pot when I have a decent to monster hands. I like to raise instead of limping as I don't want many callers. My standard raise is 2.5 bb

the queston is too wide to answer...you would need to post the hand you are talking about...we would need to know the effective stacks, player type for villian, actions pre and board texture etc...give us some more info and you will get a better answer man

Check raising is usually reserved for situations like :

When you call a preflop raise OOP, and you flop something like 2-pair or a set on a wet board. Even OESD with FD is a good spot to C/R flop. Since we are usually checking to the raiser almost always (if we think he will c-bet), it is a much stronger line than say donk-betting into the raiser. It also allows us to get more money into the pot when we smash the flop.

Also check-raise can be used as a stone cold bluff if we think villain has air. A good read is required for this little play.

Raising in general:

Let's say you open and get one caller from the BB. The flop comes out, draw heavy, and you hit top pair. Villain decides to donk bet the minimum into you. Punish him for this. Raise him full pot. People frequently do this stupid stuff with hands like gutter balls, bottom pair, weak PPs, and all sorts of garbage. Villain will rarely take this line with a strong hand. It is basically a defensive bet to try and slow you down, or even get you to fold. PUNISH villains for this tom-foolery with a nice big raise.

Raising on the river:

Either a bluff (not advised without excellent read), or flat out because you think you have the best hand (for value).


In conclusion:

In poker, aggression alone can win many pots. Raising and taking strong lines will help you gain control of the hand, and put your opponent on the defensive. Put pressure on your opponents whenever you think they are weak, or chasing. Make them make the tough decisions. Don't allow them to gain the upper hand if at all possible and prudent.

However, don't get carried away and spew. Semi bluffs, and made hands. Semi bluff with draws to NUT straight, FDs, combo draws, etc.

Beanfacekilla said:

Check raising is usually reserved for situations like :

When you call a preflop raise OOP, and you flop something like 2-pair or a set on a wet board. Even OESD with FD is a good spot to C/R flop. Since we are usually checking to the raiser almost always (if we think he will c-bet), it is a much stronger line than say donk-betting into the raiser. It also allows us to get more money into the pot when we smash the flop.

Also check-raise can be used as a stone cold bluff if we think villain has air. A good read is required for this little play.

Raising in general:

Let's say you open and get one caller from the BB. The flop comes out, draw heavy, and you hit top pair. Villain decides to donk bet the minimum into you. Punish him for this. Raise him full pot. People frequently do this stupid stuff with hands like gutter balls, bottom pair, weak PPs, and all sorts of garbage. Villain will rarely take this line with a strong hand. It is basically a defensive bet to try and slow you down, or even get you to fold. PUNISH villains for this tom-follery with a nice big raise.

Raising on the river:

Either a bluff (not advised without excellent read), or flat out because you think you have the best hand (for value).


In conclusion:

In poker, aggression alone can win many pots. Raising and taking strong lines will help you gain control of the hand, and put your opponent on the defensive. Put pressure on your opponents whenever you think they are weak, or chasing. Make them make the tough decisions. Don't allow them to gain the upper hand if at all possible and prudent.

However, don't get carried away and spew. Semi bluffs, and made hands. Semi bluff with draws to NUT straight, FDs, combo draws, etc.

Click to expand...

My eyes light up when this happens. Many people don't realize that they're almost shouting "I AM NOT STRONG" with bets like this.

You raise for value or as a bluff. It's almost always as simple as that.

all my life I thought that the raise is for when you got a pair or a set made ​​but I checked and it is not so! Playing many mtt which you pay an entry've seen raise and re-raise only kiker not even formed a game or two! I believe there is much loose fish and that makes the game less and less clear!

Scourrge said:

You raise for value or as a bluff. It's almost always as simple as that.

Click to expand...

I like this answer the best. Raising for information (a couple commented on this above) is almost always a bad idea. I would say I raise (generically speaking) to take control of the hand, whether I am doing it for value or as a bluff.

To raise or not to raise?

Depends on two main things... biggest is your opponent style and important factor is your style.

Some people are more aggressive or conservative poker players. Great ones are the one's dat are chameleons dat switch it up hand to hand and player to player.

Im a chameleon. I find conservative players will fold with minimal push... unless they are good AK pre-flop or top or better post flop usually will re-raise big.

My favorite are calling stations or people dat bluff constantly. I wait for a good hand bet 3xbb whatever I think he will call. Then if I hit a good flop re-pop or continuation bet if he is isolated only him.

I find this advice most useful. What do you want the other players to do? If I want them to call maybe suited connectors, or low pair I smooth call or min re-raise. If I want them to fold 3xbb is good for hands ur 60% sure on but if ur 80% u want a fold bet 10% someones stack ie. AA if your going against a big stack can mean an allin.

If Im going up against two or less players I tend to bet post-flop if Im strong or know I can bluff ie. conservative player. Im less aggressive with too many players.

If you flop strong but there is a straight draw be 50% more cautions and if two suits and 2+ opponents be 90% more cautious.

If I got KJ and flop is K94 with two suits. I bet around 2-3xbb too get any cautious or really bad hands out knowing a possible flush draw is out there. If the turn misses the flush, I bet big either pot size bet or 2xbb or 10% of opponents stack what ever will get them to fold. Similar for straight draws but less cautious.

Remember dictate what you want your opponent to do. Fold or call... if you have this in mind you will get a feel for a bet that will get call or fold.