Pre flop raising

IT MATTERS ON HOW OTHER PEOPLE ARE PLAYING BUT I'LL TRIPLE THE BLIND

I will try to limp in with a limpy hand...i.e. something like low pocket pair (where i'm trying to catch the set and break everyone) or high-card with mediocre kicker (K9) or medium connectors in late position. I try to do this early in a tournament because generally a lot of people are in on the flop and if you can grab a couple of small pots early, it gives you a nice cushion. You can, for example, then take on the desperate small stack all-in with AJ suited.


I suppose it is probably better to at least raise double the blinds when you want to limp in this position. then you can see the flop and get out right away if nothing hits.

i usually never raise pre flop unless im holdin a mid pocket pair, due to im only tring to go up agaist one or two players at the most

The main reason for a preflop raise is to get all the bullshit hands to fold so they dont cause you headaches on the flop. I found that when i have a strong hand with a bunch of limpers in front of me it is better to win a small pot than lose a huge one!

i like to raise with PF with big hands to narrow the field.

I also like to raise PF with marginal/weaker hands to get action from the table. from there i like to play the flop and try and take it down. if i can show off a bluff, i know i can get more action from players when i raise with big hands.

I like the saying "if your hand isnt worth a raise, its not worth playing." I also like to take it further and think "if my hand is worth raising, its worth a reraise." of course i'm prepaired to lay my hand down if get reraised over the top. if the person just calls i feel i have the better hand. to me that shows a bit more weakness then just a simple call. If someone tries to reraise, but then just calls a reraise over that..im thinking "he tried to take the pot with a weak hand, but doesnt want to just give up his chips."

Preflop i like to keep my only options as: Folding or raising.

I dont think theres anything wrong with just limping in, especially with small pockets or suited connectors. or with AA or KK in early, but this would depend on the table. if its full of limpers...ill want to raise. if its a table full of action players, i like to limp, get raised and then come over the top with my AA or KK.

pre-flop..

you gotta raises preflop to make your big pairs hold up and knock out the garbage...also, to get some money is there before the flop, as opposed to afterward when everyone may fold and not pay you off