Raising Preflop in 6max

sikes

So in 6max this is how I open raise.

UTG/MP - to 4xBB
CO/BUT - to 3xBB

What are the advantages and disadvantages? What the best policy for raising preflop?

I have been playing 21/17 over the last 15k hands, I think. Obviosuly ranges change on the game, but generally, EP AJo+,22+ - MP- alot, BUT - a load, depending on how the blinds/but play. I havent got PT here to check atm but it doesnt really matter.

Opinions?

Macspower

my general rule of thumb is 3.5 BB's from any position adding 1 bb per limper.... playing 26/13 at the min and I really only play pp's fom ep and open up a lot in position. playing about 10% of hands in ep and up to 30% on button

BobSloane

I tend to go with the normal preflop raise in the game - of the x3 or x4 variety of course. If i'm alternating between x3 and x4 i'm more likely to make it x4 from cutoff or button. play the big pots in position etc..I play 28/19
The increase by one bb per limper is a good habit too I think

Hawk Eye

I think potting it from all positions is the optimal amount so if your opening 3.5x.
I feel people call too much if you make it 3x and 4x increases the pot quickly when people start 3-betting you. I think it's unnecessary to vary the amount according to your position. Opponents might interpret this differently and specify hand ranges to 3x and different ranges for the 4x instead of noticing your position. I guess that has advantages i.e. keeps you deceptive and can mislead your opponents.
Actually now that I think about it I think your method has some merit. Basically you want to detour people from calling when your out of position by making it 4x and have position in the hand when you 3x it.

sikes

well I mix it up for a number of reasons.

In EP, i have a tight range, so I want to 1) cut down on the implied odds 2) discourage a calling spree cos I never want my hand multiway 3) build a pot with my strong hands.

In LP I want to encourage action because i have position in the hand, or most likely will. 2) I want to encourage them into the pot with the crap, becuase players call too much from the blinds with specualtive hands thinking they have implied odds 3) People three bet their strong hands more readily to a 3x raise, but their three bet if often giving me the implied odds to call with a PP. Obviously this is not always true and very much oppoent dependant.

I havent had the time to sit down and think it through in any big way yet so this is just the reason why I do it. Is there much wrong with this?

(Yeah Hawkeye you get me!!)

ianmc38

Id raise pot, but im too lazy to type the number in, so i just raise 4xbb from everywhere.

RedJoker

I do 4xBB + 1BB per limper from all positions.

If it's folded to me these are my rough ranges, these might change depending on the table. I'm raising all of these.

UTG - A9s+, A10o+, KQo, QJs+, 22+
UTG+1 - A8s+, A9o+, QJo+, 109s+, 22+
CO - Any ace, K5s+, K9o+ , Q9s+, all blackjack 20 hands, connectors 56o+, suited gappers, 22+
BUT - Any two

Depending on who has limped and how many limpers, I would tighten up. Any hand I play would still be raised.

ianmc38

RedJoker wrote:

I do 4xBB + 1BB per limper from all positions.

If it's folded to me these are my rough ranges, these might change depending on the table. I'm raising all of these.

UTG - A9s+, A10o+, KQo, QJs+, 22+
UTG+1 - A8s+, A9o+, QJo+, 109s+, 22+
CO - Any ace, K5s+, K9o+ , Q9s+, all blackjack 20 hands, connectors 56o+, suited gappers, 22+
BUT - Any two

Depending on who has limped and how many limpers, I would tighten up. Any hand I play would still be raised.

How profitable do you find ATo, KQo and JQS UTG?