No Limit Strategies: to Raise or Not to Raise

Any good No Limit player will tell you that raising is one of the most important weapons that you can unleash in the game. Because it is an act of aggression, a lot of passive players will simply fold. However, you need to know how to use it properly so it does not backfire on you.

As with most aspects of the game, the No Limit strategy for raising will start with knowing the kind of hand that you are holding. If you are holding the premium hands, then it will not matter if you are under the gun or on the button; you just raise and re raise. If you can take the pot before the flop, that is good. If some players decide to come with you, that is even better, because the pot odds will be in your favor.

You should also raise when holding No Limit hands like Ace/Queen, King/Queen or Ace/King. They may not be premium holdings, but the chances of someone else holding something as good as your hand is limited. Even if your raise is called, the pot odds will still be in your favor, and you will very likely get the winning pair on the flop, or the set on the turn.

Your No Limit strategy for raising hands should always include assessing your position. Being the last to act means that you will have the opportunity to raise with more speculative hands like pocket Jacks or tens. However, if a tight player raises before you, you must fold that hand. Rarely do you see someone make a raise in middle position in No Limit, unless he is holding onto something solid.

If you are in middle position, you should only raise with the premium hands, because anything else, and you risk being hit on the flop by a better hand. As for early position, the usual recommendation, and one you should follow, is to raise only with an AA or KK. Even with a KK, it might be best if you do a check raise first.

The importance of raising in No Limit cannot be overemphasized, especially with the option of going all in. For this reason, knowing all your options, knowing when to push it or back off, is essential.

With the know-how, you can include this strategy in your game plan and you will be a much better No Limit player for it. You will be able to take players out of the pot, and also make a lot of money in the process.