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Open Raise Sizing
An optimal raise sizing strategy will adjust the raise size based on our position at the table and th players behind us. When we are under the gun, we should open to 4 times the big blind. By doing this we cut down on players calling ranges as we are providing them with less direct implied odds. We also want to put more money in the pot preflop with the strongest part of our range. Under the gun is the position on the table where our range is strongest, thus we can increase our raise size in this position.
As we move around a 6 max table, we can decrement our raise size by half a blind. Under the gun +1, we can raise to 3.5 times the big blind. In the cutoff we can make it 3x the blind and on the button we can make it just 2.5 times the big blind or even minraise.
When we are in late position we are raising a wider, thus weaker range of hands. Therefore, we want to commit less money preflop. By raising smaller there is less money in the pot and we take away the incentive to 3bet because there is less in the middle to steal. Furthermore, players will call more raises from the blinds because of the odds they are getting to call the preflop raise. Calling raises and playing out of position takes most tight aggressive players out of their comfort zones. It's an unusual situation for them and by forcing them to call more out of position, we force them to make greater mistakes postflop.
As well as this we can also call 3bets with a wider range preflop as the size of the player's 3bet will mean we'll usually be getting the correct price to call a reraise preflop based on implied odds.
Against weaker opponents who call too much out of position we can continue making a standard raise size to between 3 and 4 times the big blind. Calling too much out of position is a big mistake in no limit holdem. We can punish this mistake by putting more money in the pot when we have position.
Minraising the button can also be used very effectively in headsup poker. |
