3rd Lesson [Beginner] Preflop Raise Sizing

If the raise amount is too small, too many people call, and if it's too big, you can't build the pot even with good hands.

Basic Strategy

The first raise preflop is standard at 2.5 to 3 times the BB.

Basic Assumptions:

• 100BB stack cash game
• No one has raised yet
• Opponents are average players

Basic Sizing Rules:

• Early/Middle Position: 3x BB (e.g., $6 in a 1/2 game)
• Late Position: 2.5x BB (e.g., $5 in a 1/2 game)
• Blind vs Blind: 2.5x BB

Why this size?

• Appropriate Pot Control: Post-flop betting amounts are balanced with stack sizes
• Secure Fold Equity: A size sufficient to make weak hands fold
• Value Extraction: Put enough money into the pot with strong hands while still getting calls from opponents

Reason for maintaining consistent sizing: It's to conceal your hand strength. If you raise to $10 with AA and $5 with QJs, your opponents can read your patterns.

Responses by Situation

1. When there's a limper (someone who just called) in front

Add 1x BB per limper to your base size. If there's one limper, raise to 4x BB; if two, raise to 5x BB. A larger size is needed because the pot is already bigger and there's a higher chance of a multiway pot.

2. When your opponent is a calling station who calls too much

Increase your raise size to 4x BB. Since your opponent is likely to call even with weak hands, it's advantageous to put more money into the pot with premium hands. Reduce your bluff frequency and play value-oriented.

3. When your opponent is very tight and folds often

Reduce your raise size to 2x BB. A smaller size is sufficient to get folds, allowing you to steal the blinds while reducing risk. Increase your raise frequency to take more pots.

4. When raising from a blind position

From the SB, use 3x BB. When raising a limper from the BB, use 4x BB. Since you're out of position, it's more important to make opponents fold than to build a large pot.

How to Think

Try to think in this order when deciding your raise size:

1. What's my position? Base is 3x BB for early/middle, 2.5x BB for late.
2. Are there limpers in front? If so, add 1x BB per limper.
3. What type of opponent am I facing? Bigger for calling stations, smaller for tight players.
4. Is this size consistent for all hands? Use the same size for AA or AJs.
5. Size Selection: Determine the final raise amount.

Example Hand Analysis

Example 1: Standard Raise Sizing

Game: Cash game 1/2, stack 200BB
Position: HJ (Hijack)
Preflop: Everyone folds in front, Hero gets AQs
Pot: $3

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage on this board?”
   → AQs is a strong hand, HJ is a middle position
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → No one in front, standard situation
3. “Are there enough hands for opponents to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Since it's a middle position, 3x BB is standard

Conclusion: Raise $6 (3x BB)

Comment: This is the most basic situation. In middle position, use 3x BB. You must use this same size for AA, 99, and KQs so your opponents cannot read your hand.

Example 2: When there's a limper

Game: Cash game 1/2, stack 200BB
Position: Cutoff
Preflop: MP limps for $2, HJ folds, Hero gets KK
Pot: $5

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage on this board?”
   → KK is a premium hand, pot is already $5
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → One limper, so a multiway pot is possible
3. “Are there enough hands for opponents to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Base 2.5x BB + 1 limper = 3.5x BB, rounded up to 4x BB

Conclusion: Raise $8 (4x BB)

Comment: If there's a limper, raise larger. If you raise to $5 or $6, the limper will almost always call due to pot odds, and the blinds are also likely to come along. Raising to $8 can reduce the number of players in the hand.

Example 3: Calling Station Opponent

Game: Cash game 1/2, stack 200BB
Position: Button
Preflop: Everyone folds in front, Hero gets QQ
Opponent Info: The BB is a very loose calling station
Pot: $3

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage on this board?”
   → QQ is a premium hand, Button position
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → Opponent is likely to call even with weak hands
3. “Are there enough hands for opponents to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Since it's a calling station, increase size for value extraction

Conclusion: Raise $8 (4x BB)

Comment: If your opponent calls too much, raise larger with strong hands. Even if you raise to $8 instead of the standard $5, your opponent is likely to call, so it's advantageous to put more money into the pot.

Example 4: Tight Opponent

Game: Cash game 1/2, stack 200BB
Position: Button
Preflop: Everyone folds in front, Hero gets K10s
Opponent Info: Both blinds are very tight and fold often
Pot: $3

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage on this board?”
   → K10s is a marginal hand but can be a steal from the Button position
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → A bluff-like raise, the goal is to get folds rather than rely on hand strength
3. “Are there enough hands for opponents to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Since the opponent is tight, a small size is sufficient to get folds

Conclusion: Raise $4 (2x BB)

Comment: If your opponent is very tight, use a smaller size. If a $4 raise makes the blinds fold 80% or more of the time, you can frequently take the pot while reducing risk. In such situations, increasing your raise frequency is highly profitable.

Key Pattern Summary

Pattern 1: Base Raise = 2.5x~3x BB (3x for early/middle, 2.5x for late)

Pattern 2: Add 1x BB per limper (1 limper = 4x BB, 2 limpers = 5x BB)

Pattern 3: Use the same size for all hands (same for AA or 99)

Pattern 4: Calling station opponent = Increase size (4x BB)

Pattern 5: Tight opponent = Decrease size (2x BB)

Pattern 6: Too small (1.5x BB or less) = Too many people call

Pattern 7: Too big (5x BB or more) = Miss value or inefficient bluff

Pattern 8: Raise slightly larger when out of position (3-4x BB in the blinds)

Quiz

Question 1

You received JJ in the Button position, and everyone folded in front. What is the appropriate raise size in a 1/2 game?

A) $3 (1.5x BB)
B) $5 (2.5x BB)
C) $8 (4x BB)
D) $10 (5x BB)

Question 2

You received AK in the HJ position, and UTG limped for $2 in front. What is the appropriate raise size in a 1/2 game?

A) $5 (2.5x BB)
B) $6 (3x BB)
C) $8 (4x BB)
D) $10 (5x BB)

Question 3

Why should you maintain a consistent raise size for all hands?

A) Because it's easy to calculate
B) To conceal hand strength
C) To build the pot
D) To get more folds

Question 4

The Big Blind is very loose and calls often even with weak hands. How should you adjust when you receive QQ on the Button?

A) Reduce the size to 2x BB
B) Maintain the standard 2.5x BB
C) Increase the size to 4x BB
D) Fold

Question 5

What is the most appropriate first raise size from the UTG position?

A) 2x BB
B) 2.5x BB
C) 3x BB
D) 4x BB

Answers and Explanations

Question 1

Answer: B) $5 (2.5x BB)

Explanation: In a late position (Button) with no one in front, 2.5x BB is appropriate for a standard situation. $3 is too small, which can lead to too many callers, and $8 or $10 is unnecessarily large.

Question 2

Answer: C) $8 (4x BB)

Explanation: Since there is one limper, add 1x BB to the base 3x BB, raising to 4x BB. The pot is already $5, and there's a high chance of a multiway pot, so a larger size is needed.

Question 3

Answer: B) To conceal hand strength

Explanation: If you raise with a large size when you have AA and a small size with a weak hand, your opponents can read your patterns and react. You must use the same size for all hands to conceal your range.

Question 4

Answer: C) Increase the size to 4x BB

Explanation: When your opponent is a calling station (a player who calls too much), use a larger size with premium hands to extract value. Even if you raise larger than the standard 2.5x BB, your opponent is likely to call.

Question 5

Answer: C) 3x BB

Explanation: In early position (UTG), 3x BB is standard. Raise slightly larger than in late position to compensate for the positional disadvantage and reduce multiway pots.