Raising with pocket 9s

[Joe N]

Why do this in a loose game with 5 or more likely callers? The Ed Miller et al book says do this and I can't understand why . . . It can't be building value on the off chance you hit a set. Seems like poor odds that someone won't flop a higher pair.

Pot equity. Your hand is better than the limpers Q9s, J8os, A4, K6s and whatever other crap hands people play. When you have the edge, put money in the pot.

[junkmail3]

Well in a loose game with 5 likely callers you have implied odds to hit your hand.

So, if you would call that hand with 5 callers likely (counting on implied odds), why not make it like you are just playing that hand twice?

You have the cards and the odds for that, so go for it, show some aggression, and make your position more aggressive. Now on top of the odds, you are in a position to win the pot without improving because of your aggression preflop if they all miss. (not that this is a huge consideration, but a little extra bonus)

Plus you may run out hands that would outdraw you with a board like: 2 /images/graemlins/club.gif 6 /images/graemlins/club.gif 7 /images/graemlins/diamond.gif or something like that, where your hand would likely be best.