PF questions

[Klompy]

I'm still struggling to get my vpip a little higher and just had a few questions on common situations. Just assume a typical 2/4 mix of players

a,10 mp1 all folds to you
k,j mp1 all folds to you
k,9s mp1 all folds to you
q,9s mp1 all folds to you
9,10s mp1 all folds to you

do any of these change from mp1-mp3?

[GMan42]

The ATo I'll usually raise without a second thought.

As for the suited hands, I'd probably open-limp unless I thought there was a huge chance of a raise behind me, in which case I toss them. I really don't like open-limping, but this is around the range of hands that seem to call for it (at least for me).

The KJo is probably a fold from this spot, although if you bump me down a seat or two I raise instead.

[McGahee]

I don't think this is why your VPIP is too low if it is too low. IMO there's a big difference between MP1 and MP3 - it's the difference between fold and raise for most of those hands, but that's me.

[Adam22]

is mp1 the 4th to act? my VPIP is too low apparently too. i think i raise PF enough, i don't think i limp enough hands in late position or something.

[Harv72b]

Assuming a typical mix of 2/4 players doesn't really work for this question, as a good deal of where those extra few points on your VPIP come from is based on table conditions and opponents yet to act behind you. In every example you gave, there are times when it is correct to limp, raise, or fold in that position.

Your open-raising standards should expand as you move from MP1 to MP3, irregardless of table conditions/reads. But the environment will always matter to one extent or another (perhaps not so much with a hand like AT or even KJ; if it's folded to you on the button or in the SB, then you should almost always raise no matter who's left to act).

But anyway, there aren't any cut & dried answers to questions like this. If you want to play by the book, then you'll likely be playing at a VPIP in the mid teens as long as you do so. When you open up your starting hand requirements, it should be for specific reasons based on that game, or actually, that hand.

i raise AT, KJ, fold the rest

[xwillience]

While i agree with Harv, everything in poker is situational dependent and that is the easiest answer in poker. i think these are some pretty basic hands. Raise AT, probably fold KJ for another seat (or two) and fold the rest. If you want to start getting fancy with players with these hands you want a tight image and tight players to act behind you. But if your asking these questions your not ready to get fancy. If you think your VP$IP is really to tight than you can work on increasing it with hands like Kxs on the button, and late position limps with one gap suited connector. I think you can salvage more EV from your post flop play with solid starting hands than by increasing your preflop hand range tho.

[Klompy]

Thank's for the reply, I figured these were all pretty boarderline, and prob situational dependant, but I guess the next question is what kind of situation am I looking for that addjusts these from fold/raise/call. Raise the a,10 and k,j if there's tighty's behind me and a week bb? Call with the k,9s if there's a couple 50+ behind me?

[Net Warrior]

If you limp in with these hands in MP1 you have to be ready for a raise behind you from anyone who is moderately aggressive and has similiar holdings, or better. Limping from the MP1 zone screams mediocre hand.

[Klompy]

I agree, but I'm trying to get a feal for the situational times when this would be right, I dont think i ever really see these kinds of thing being discussed on here, at least not in the small stakes.

[Harv72b]

I'll give this is a shot, using ATo from MP1:

Raise: Most tables. You raise when your PFR is likely to be respected, when the table is playing relatively tight, and/or (most of) the players behind you (especially outside of the blinds) are tight enough to fold a hand like AJo or 55 to an MP1 raise. You would also raise this when there are one or two very loose calling stations behind you, who will happily coldcall with a worse ace or some other hand that's a dog to your ATo. It helps if those one or two players are also straightforward/passive in their postflop play.

Limp: Rarely. Basically, limited to times when the players behind you are likely to limp behind with worse hands (especially worse aces) if it is not raised, but fold those same hands if it is. And also when those same players can be counted on to raise better aces behind your limp, allowing you to play your hand accordingly postflop.

Fold: Sometimes. When there are one or more tight, aggressive, and good/tricky players behind you, or the table in general is nuts and you can count on it being raised & 3-bet nearly always behind you (and the action continuing postflop). While it's hardly oustide the realm of possibility that your ATo would be the best hand in the second scenario, it becomes very difficult to play a hand like this from out of position when you flop anything less than two pair/trips/straight. Incidentally, if this is the case you should probably consider finding a new table, or preferably, changing seats at this one to act after the LAG/maniacs.

The other hands follow basically the same pattern, although your raise/call situations will vary depending on your high card strength and how loose the players behind you are. For example, T9s:

Raise: The table is playing very tightly, and you can count on stealing the blinds about 50% of the time, either preflop or with a flop bet. Again, though, if this is the case you should probably just be playing out this orbit before finding a new table; I often find myself in this kind of situation when I'm playing at a table with one very bad player, and that player has just left the table. The remaining TAGs are mostly in the same mindset as I am (play out the orbit and leave), so you can often steal the blinds once or twice with mediocre hands.

Limp: When the table in general is very loose passive. You can count on the flop being at least 4 handed, and it will not be raised behind you very often.

Fold: The rest of the time.

These are just general guidelines, though. There are times when you can and should deviate from them in order to vary your game, particularly if you are playing at 3/6 or higher (or against regular opponents).

[Klompy]

Thank you Harv, this is basicly what i was looking for. most of these hands I was uncomfortable calling with and being isolated, and thought it might be an error to raise, so I often chose just to fold.