Online Poker Forum - Preflop Raise Theory

gibbygib · Four of a Kind Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 278

Ok, I'm a very good SNG player. I find myself winning often. I have this theory - it's smarter to raise with 45 suited than K-10 off, it's smarter to raise 56 suited than Q-10 off, etc. The reasons behind my play with such hands is that K-10, Q-10, QJ, when raised, are far more likely to be dominated than 45, etc, and if you hit the flop with K-10 etc, it is obvious that you hit it to the opposing players. However, if you hit a flop with 45, such as 945, nobody will put you on 45 even if they know how you play. I say the underlined part because if you raise preflop with AK, AA, AQ, hands like that (but not eh-eh cards like K-10, J-10) and bet out on flops like 945 people won't know if you hold the 45 or the AK. It's such a massive asset to my game and I believe this to be Gus Hansen and Daniel Negraneu's expertise. I don't think I'm as good as them at this, but I think I am on the right track. The one downside I know of is that if the two undercards run into a high pair, they are fairly dominated (although low suited connectors are wonderful cards to hold in a must-all in situation when you run into, lets say, AA, as 56 suited is the #1 hand against AA in preflop percentages) A big part of this also is that you will steal the blinds a good deal of times. Now that my wrists are going to fall off, I'll ask for your opinions, got any?

Pacey Witter · Two Pair Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 69

i think an occasional raise with these hands is fine (like once every sng depending on # of players left & ur position, chip stack, etc) but always raising with these hands cant be a good decision..raising with q10 or k10 off i

Pacey Witter · Two Pair Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 69

...continued.....raising w/q10 off or k10 off at a full table is questionable. unless of course its a rare thing just to mix it up. i cant imagine anyone who would recommend u raise everytime u hold a low-med suited connector, the low to medium suited connectors are nice hands to see cheap flops with & hope to flop a monster but always raising with them imo would be the wrong move.

gibbygib · Four of a Kind Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 278

I certainly don't raise them every time. The times when i don't raise them is usually if im in late position with 1 or 2 limpers to me that aren't on the blinds. Then I'll muckem because it's more people to call my raise and less of a chance of winning. I don't do it from EP or MP, just LP or SB, in certain situations. Alot of players like to raise that crap like K-10. I don't get it. No one can put you on 45 suited - ANYONE can put you on KJ, Q-J, etc. If the opponents don't know what you have, you're at a biiiiiig advantage.

Pacey Witter · Two Pair Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 69

yeah, so many people treat hands like k10 & q10 like jacks or something...

guitarguy178 · Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2005 10:16 pm Post subject:

I like that style, if you are mixing it up. You don't want to become too predictable. Something to remember, small suited connectors are better played in muilti way pots. I do have to agree with you about how most players put way too much value on a blackjack hand. K 10 Q 10 and such.

nopepperjack · Two Pair Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 55

A lot of times if I am short stacked, I would rather go all in with the low connectors... as TJ once said... "I have two free cards, baby!". If you go with the A3 or K2, you too often catch the K or the A and the kicker kills you.

NoPepperJack

dano2769 · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 1:17 pm Post subject: Re: Preflop Raise Theory

guitarguy178 · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 1:25 pm Post subject: Re: Preflop Raise Theory

gibbygib · Four of a Kind Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 278

Why would someone waste the time to post that? What an asshat.

reissmgr · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 2:14 pm Post subject:

interesting idea with raising with suited connectors, problem is you have to hit the flop hard (two pair, made straight/flush or the draws), i dont like to raise with king-10 off in a tight game for same reason, has to hit hard or could be dominated. on the other hand, with ace-king/queen top pair is likely, or even just ace-king high, and if it is not the best hand it is easy to tell (like with an apparent lower straight). but i like the idea of mixing it up.

gibbygib · Four of a Kind Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 278

You only have to hit the flop hard if you're a pure rock of a better (bets only the stone cold nuts, basically)

guitarguy178 · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject:

I don't think you have to hit the flop hard to continue. You have already represented a strong hand by raising preflop. If the flop comes out something like KK5 when you are playing 56, and you feel your opponent doesn't have a King, bet out. Take the pot down right there.

searfoss · Two Pair Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 64

I like this strategy a lot, and have been trying to successfully incorporate it into my overall game. It is difficult online, however, for two reasons. First, by playing this way you are often putting yourself to a tough decision when you do meet resistance (do they think I'm on overcards and are playing me, or do they actually have the better hand and are playing for value?). Second, people online tend to play weak aces and low pocket pairs in the face of a pre-flop raiser. You may flop two pair only to be up against a set. Or you could flop top pair and be outkicked by someone playing something like A6.

This strategy is excellent in person, but I think it is suspect online.

gibbygib · Four of a Kind Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 278

^I definately agree with all you said. People will call you down with A-rag and beat you sometimes, as well as the low pocket pairs. Those are always aggravating, and it is hard to play against resistance.

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