Raising to save money

[winky51]

Ok here is something I am discovering more and more at the $100 NL tables. I want to know if my thinking is right on this one.

EXAMPLE: You have KK and make a raise the BB calls you.

Flop comes 872 rainbow. BB checks and you bet 2/3 pot. Now BB reraises you a pot sized bet. What to do?

I have come to the conclusion that in either circumstance that if you are ahead or behind reraising is your best option.

If you are ahead and he has...
A small pair (66): Well if he calls he is an underdog and you make him pay more for a 2 outer. If he folds ok you win the pot. +EV

A draw (64s) You made him pay even more to draw out on you. +EV

An overpair (TT) If he is not experienced enough he might call you down and pay you off. +EV

If you are behind and he has....

Two pair (87s) or a set (77): I think raising is the best thing you can do. Lets say the pot is $10 after you bet and he raises you your bet making the pot $20 ($5 in pot, $5 you bet, $10 he raised).

So if you call him now there is $20 and the turn he will at least bet have the pot if not more so $10-$20. Now your also faced with this call on the river of another $20-$30 probably. So your spending $30 to $50 to find out if your behind.

Isnt the right play to reraise the player on the flop right there to get better definition on what he has? Even if you raised the whole pot $20 that other player with a better hand will let you know by reraising. Maybe he might call and then you will find out on the turn when you bet. But I think in the end it will cost you less to lose. Is this a right assumption?

I did notice thought that some players you can't pull this off on. They just call you down, I have even seen a call down with the nuts. Then again there are the same players that pay you off. So then I assume your bets will be more value bets vs these types? That even if you lose you are still losing less than you should and scaring him into not raising AND if your in position you check behind the river.

I just found calling is not the way to go, I would rather reraise and lose more now then lose a lot later down the street.