An amazing 10 minutes...

[Gordogg]

I don't agree. Even though you had a very nice rush, I believe in making the same standard open raise every time. TP has mentioned it before and I think it's a good rule. It's more difficult to put someone on a hand if they raise the same amount every time they enter a pot. I believe people are more liable to come over the top of you when you do that. I understand your reasoning, pansies just didn't want to mix it up with ya. I would rather bet the same everytime though. There are some exceptions. Like if there were a couple loose gamblers at the table then I like your strategy. But if not, stick to the standard preflop raises.

[Talking Poker]

I have said something similar to this, but this isn't exactly it. The key point is not to raise to 5x BB with AA, 3x the BB with TT and 2x the BB with some other hand. You want to have a range of opening raises that you will make and vary it RANDOMLY, not based on the cards you are holding.

To keep things simple, I do typically make very similar opening raises (usually 3-4x BB). If anything, I vary my raises based on position: Early on, you can open for less because you are getting more respect. Opening from late position though, you may want to raise a bit more, as people are more likely to think you are stealing.

Note that nowhere in there did I say that I raise X when I am dealt these two cards and I raise Y when I am dealt these other two cards. THAT is what I think can become a problem for people.

Of course, you also want to mix up limping in with AA and KK too. A good rule of thumb is to do that every 5 or 6 times you get the hands, but I tend to do it less - more like 1:15 for me, if I had to guess. I seem to regret it when I do, so I don't do it much.

[Gordogg]

I agree not to make exactly 3x raises everytime. The range should be 3x-5x considering your position. I didn't clarify that. Also I agree you should limp occasionly to avoid becoming too predictable.

[Reel Deal]

I can see the logic in that and how it would work well in a cash game where you might be sitting at the same table with the same people for a long period of time. In a tournament where you're getting moved around I'm not sure if it's as effective. In this instance I just thought that I had to look like a maniac to these people and I was hoping someone would say, "that's it, I'm pushing back he can't have cards every time!" and make a mistake. I was hoping that by looking like a loose over agressive player I might get a call on one of these and rake in a big pot, as opposed to a 4XBB PFR followed by my CB and a fold.

[Reel Deal]

One other thing... this was, obviously, a very unique situation. I'm not saying if I got top starting hands once every 30 minutes that I would play the first one for a PFR of 5XBB, then 30 minutes later the next one for 2XBB and then after another 30 minutes go with 12XBB. These came bang, bang, bang and it just was a play I thought I might try to get some one to make a mistake that might land me more chips than a standard raise. Good chance I may never again get in a situation like this, so who knows... I guess I can look on the positive said and say at least I didn't get run down by 44 again.

BTW, those are great points TP.

Oh, like my new sig line?