Back to Basics : PF Raise Sizes

[Unarmed]

Ok,

I have a confession to make. I don't raise 3BB + 1BB for each limper. *GASP* No wait, let me explain, and please point out any errors in my thoughts here as I'm completely open to suggestions.

I'm not a big c-bettor. YMMV, but I honestly don't think c-betting is more profitable than checking whiffed flops and re-evaluating on the turn. Given this, getting HU with AK isn't something I find ultra-appealing. I prefer to get 2-3 callers, giving me odds to hit TPTK. An example:

I have AK on the BB. There are 2 MP limpers and the SB in the hand. It's level 1. Should I really pump this to 90? I think if I do so, I'll typically get 1 caller, and potentially be OOP in a raised pot which I will miss 2/3 of the time. In that "exact" situation, I'd probably make it 50. Is that awful? Should I jsut be pumping the best hand PF and hope I get nice implied odds against some donk when I hit?

Same situation. Give me AA/KK. I want action. I think I'd make it 60. Give me an UTG limper, and I'll make it 90. Ooops, now I'm varying my raises sizes by hand, which is supposed to be bad. I don't think anyone notices, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, I'm sort of rambling, mostly because I don't have a system for sizing my raises PF. I evaluate the situation and decide on whatever raise amount I think suits the way I'm planning to play the hand. As I'm actually looking for advice here, I'm going to leave it at that and hope this post generates some interesting discussion.

Thanks! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]