Back to Basics: Position Raise
I’ve been getting requests here for some more ‘basic strategy’ type posts, aimed at less experienced players and so on, so a couple times a week now I’ll be posting some ‘Back to Basics’ style postings. I decided to start that kind of idea off with one of the most discussed and common plays in poker: the button raise.
There’s a lot of discussion about playing your position in hold em. The button is typically known as the best position in the game, since the only people who get to act after you preflop are the blinds, and post-flop forward you are the last to act.
Why is it important to be last to act?
Obviously, poker is a game of information. The more information you have about your opponent and his actions, the better equipped you’ll be to make a decision on how best to act.
In acting last you get to see how your opponent bet their hands, how they look betting their hands, and so on. You are not stuck betting blind into players who have not yet shown what kind of play they are going to make based on what came on the flop, etc.
It also gives you an option to react rather than to act blind: ie. you can check to an opponent’s check, bet to an opponent’s check, raise an opponent’s bet, fold to an opponent’s bet, rather than simply betting or checking. The options of play open up a bit.
That said, it is often a good idea to get more money in the pot on hands when you have a positional advantage, as often people who can exploit their position will win more pots.
Thus, raising on the button takes on a kind of advantage similar to getting more money in the pot when you have strong holdings.
Poker is about exploiting the best times to get your money in. Imagine watching a roulette wheel and seeing the odds on your bet change as the wheel spins in slow motion.
That said, though, button raising has become so ’standard’ that there’s a whole set of stigma and replays attached to the idea. So much so that they even discuss it in a Matt Damon movie.
If Matt Damon knows about it, odds are everyone does.
Next time.
Tags: button raise, matt damon, position raiseRelated Stories
POSTED IN: poker blog
2 opinions for Back to Basics: Position Raise
Jereme
Apr 17, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I’ll raise with any two suited or connecting cards from the button. It’s a play that has worked many times because people have a hard time putting me on a hand.
I think what button position/raising comes down to is bet control. He who controls the betting controls the hand. The only caveat is if someone flops a monster which will not happen that often.
I see a lot of inexperienced players make weak calls from the button instead of raising. Raise or fold is my motto. Put the pressure back on your opponents and you’ll be surprised how many times you will see them make mistakes simply because they are the one under the gun.
Of course, you capitalize from their mistakes. Be aware though that any intermediate experienced player will recognize what you are doing and play back at you. A reraise does nto mean your hand is the worst. Also this play should be used somewhat sparingly otherwise no one will respect your position raises.
And then you’ll have asshats calling with A 6 offsuite and flopping trip sixes.
Also do not be afraid when a player makes a continuation bet after the flop. Assess your cards and play accordingly.
Blake
Apr 17, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Very good Jereme. Yeah, I hate button limps, unless you’re being tricky somehow with a big one or something, but usually even then that’s dumb.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: