Playing Agressively

[hc422709]

Well, looking back at past posts, I came upon this post by TP:
"Aggressive doesn't mean "bluffing" - it means "betting and raising" as opposed to "checking and calling."

I get the betting part. Bet with probably any pair, take lots of stabs at the pots to take more pots down, place "feeler bets" to see where people are at. etc. etc.

My question is, how do you bring yourself to raise someone who just raised your initial bet. I mean, especially if they are in early position and check raised you and you have middle pair or top pair weak kicker. The problem I have right now is: When do you raise?

Thanks in advance!

[Talking Poker]

This is a very general question, so it's going to be difficult for people to respond to.... but simply put:

If you are check raised and you choose to reraise with middle pair, you are bluffing. There is a time and a place for bluffing, of course, but generally speaking, it's not following a check raise, unless you are very certain you can make your opponent lay his hand down.

Selective aggression = good.
Playing like a lunatic = bad.

[Invigilator]

I would also add, knowing when to do this can often depend on the betting patterns of the person raising you. How tight are they? If a tight player gives you the old CR, you are not going to be likely to play back at him. If you run into the big lunatic bluffer, you might be more likely to reraise.

I don't often read these situations well. If it happens for me, it is usually later in a tournament when I have been with some of the same players for a while and there are more "plays" being made at the pot due to the rising blinds and antes.