Opening Raise Amounts NL Holdem

[Zybomb]

Most of this has already been said but I'll add my cents

In tournaments I usually raise 3-5x BB. During the first round usually 5, the second and third round usually 4 and then 3x from then on. I try to raise the same every single time whether I have a monster, a strong hand, a decent hand or trash. This prevents opponents getting a read on you. If there are an unusual amount of limpers I'll add to my raise. In a cash game I'll usually add 1 BB per limper, but in a tournament this isnt as necessary, and more things come into play (stack sizes blinds etc)

Late in the tourny, especially after the antes have kicked in, blind stealing really becomes worth it (and necessary to continue in the tourny)

HU I'll usually raise 4x during the early stages then 3x during the later stages. I personally do not always raise the button UNLESS my opponent is already doing it. I usually adopt to my opponents style of HU (dunno whether this is good or bad) meaning I can see lots of cheap flops and grind it out if he likes, or we can move fast pace as well. If my opponent is raising each time on the button I'll play back at him on average 1 out of every 3 times usually waiting for a "good hands" to do this. By good I dont mean only AA KK obviously. I mean 1 gap suited connecters, unsuited connectors, big cards, any pair, an ace etc. The other times I'll usually call with any two cards unless they are complete trash. If Ive limped in from the button and he raises, I'll call with any decent hand since I do have position.

However if he only selectively raises, I'll play a much thinner variety of hands, and I'll tend to do a lot more limping of my own, and play the game at a slow pace.

When Im raising Im mixing up my calling and raising (just like TP said) calling with monsters, raising with them, raising with big hands, limping with them, raising with trash, limping etc.