Online Poker Forum - Bet sizing versus intrinsic value of hole cards

xxhksgxx · High Card Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 14

I constantly read that you should play different starting hands in the same way, so your opponents can’t put you on a hand and your hand is more disguised. Okay sounds reasonable but from a mathematics sense aren’t you going to loose out. Read below :

Let’s say your range of hands is A-A to 7-6 suited, your pre flop bet sizing is as follows : early position 2x BB, middle position 3x BB and late position 4x BB. We’ll assume the table is neither tight nor particularly loose with observant players.

Now according to the book I would raise 3x BB with pocket 9’s in middle position, would I not be better raising by more to increase the chance that everyone will fold, yet if I had A-A I would probably want some action so be better with a smaller raise. However if on both occasions these hands went to a showdown and shown to the table people have a much better chance based on my preflop raise what I have.

Also if someone has already raised 3x BB pre flop in early position and I’m staring down at 9’s do I just call because it’s already fulfilled my pre-flop bet sizing requirement and then on another occasion same thing happens I’m staring at A-A and don’t re-raise for the same reason ?

Does anyone see this argument and have any comments ?

Many thanks in advance.

Flying_Kiwi · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:41 am Post subject:

I think you can get away with varying your size based on position or table conditions, but raising based on the strength of your hand will be terrible vs observant players. You may be able to exploit it vs people who won't pay attention.

I like it when I can build up notes on someone like,
PFR 4 BB [range]
3.5 BB ""
3 bb ""
minraise etc

As for the 9s and the call, there's the GAP concept that says you need a stronger hand to call a preflop raise than you would open raise yourself. Of course, it all depends on the stack sizes and whether it's cash/MTT/SNG. It could well be a call, even a raise in many cases and sometimes a fold. With the AA, I think it's good to mix it up between reraising & calling.

xxhksgxx · High Card Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 14

thanks - appreciated

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