Opening Raise Amounts NL Holdem

[Robbr25]

I have heard general advise about "standard" raises preflop.
For a standard NL table,
usually people say 3X the BB.
Does that mean you raise it 3X the BB or to 3X the BB?
e.g. $25/$50 Blinds do you raise it to $200 or $150?
Also, I see some that raise it to 3X the BB + a small amount (like $15 at $25/$50 blinds). Why the extra little amount?

As a side note, what about Heads up on the button?
Many say you should raise every time. How much should the raise be?
Any comments about Heads up NOT on the button? How much do you raise there? Does it depend on whether the button limps in? or raises?

[BrianSwa]

I dont think there should be a set amount in NL as to how much to raise. I think alot depends all on who is at your table. I know when im playing over at jetset the difference between .50/1.00 and 1.00/2.00 is like day and night and I know at the lower level I can raise 3x the BB and rags will still call me but at the higher level that raise will get rid of the rag players. At the lower level I have even caught myself raising 5x and still getting 3-4 callers.

as for button I think alot has to do with your current table image, have you raised before and go caught...played back into...shown down the best hand? alot in NL depends on what people have seen you do up until this point. I think if you have been playing pretty tight then raising with any 2 might be good but be ready to lay it down if your played back into.

[SirFWALGMan]

I use the 3x as my guideline and +1BB for each limper.

So in a .50/1 table the standard raise would be $3, +$1 for each limper. At least thats how I have heard it. Like Brian said though it is always good to mix it up a little..

[BrianSwa]

another thing about how u play your button. Think a couple streets ahead If you try to steal on the button how are you gonna play that hand on the flop. Even without seeing the cards they dont matter right now are you gonna continue to try to steal it because if you check it he is gonna know you were on steal.

[Robbr25]

Clarification, by Heads up I meant a sit and go with only 2 people at the table.
Raising on the button, you can get burned when on the button at a full table because they may think you are stealing.
Mixing it up, you have to mix up your raises once in awhile, but depending on what you do may show strength or weakness so you have to be careful.

[BrianSwa]

heads up is a whole different thread and could take awhile to expalin. Usually yes you should raise in position in HU but I think there is also times to limp in to disguise the strength of your hand. I could go on for hours on HU play I love heads up.

[Talking Poker]

I realize this thread was probably directed at me, as you posted it after railing me in the tourney earlier today.

First, I'll address your Heads Up question: Mix it up a LOT. Raise with weak hands, raise with strong hand, limp with weak hands, limp with monsters... That way it will be very difficult for your opponent to get a read on you. At least that's what I do.

Secondly, when someonne says 3x the BB, they mean 150 TOTAL if the blinds are 25/50.

Now on to the main question: In normal tourney play, I again vary my raises randomly (NOT based on the strength of my hand, but more so based on my position, if anything), but my "typical" raise is usually 3x the BB plus a bit. People often ask me why I do this, and I have a few reasons for it:

1. I like to raise a bit more than 3x the BB on average.
2. While this may not make the "math" much more difficult for my opponents, it certainly doesn't make it EASIER. At worst, it's a wash, but I think this may create a slight edge for me in the long run.
3. It's become a habit. I won't call it a superstition, but it's definitely a habit.

Examples of bet amounts I use regularly (and these are OPENING only - no one in the pot in front of me, or else I have to jack it up higher):
25/50: 165
50/100: 325
75/150: 465 (sometimes 475 or 485)
100/200: 625
200/400: 1225
300/600: 1875

When it gets interesting are at the higher levels and after the ante kicks in. LAte on tourneys, smaller raises (in relation to the BB) accomplish the same thing as larger raises do early on, so I don't worry about it so much then, but here is an example anyway:
6000/12,000: 36,750