dumb question about what "raise" means...

[Arbogast]

I don't play in casinos much. This happens all the time in home games though.

Let's say the blinds are 50 and 100. UTG folds. UTG+1 says "I raise. $500."

Does this mean he needs to put $600 into the pot? Or does it mean he puts $500 in the pot, so his raise is really on $400?

If you're playing in a casino and say the same thing, what are you required to put in the pot?

Is there any difference between saying "I raise. $500." and "I raise. *Make it* $500."

I'm mainly interested in how the above is interpreted in a casino environment.

I know this is basic, but I've never heard the definitive answer.

[ZenMusician]

. . .

When the pros on TV say "Raise. $500." look at what they do:
They put out the chips to call with (the original bet, in your case $100)
and then put out the raise. This is short for "raise...$500 more".

To be clearer you could say "$600 total" or "$600 to go" which would
let everyone know exactly what your total bet is.

-ZEN

[MCS]

I've wondered this too. I always avoid it by just saying "total of ___" or "___ more."

[Percula]

Raise 500 means 500 + the minimum bet of 100 for a total bet of 600.

Make it 500 means, raise 400 + the minimum bet of 100 for a total of 500.

Now... In most low limit NL, at least where it is a capped buy-in and smaller stacks, most dealers/rooms will let the "raise 500, opps I met 500 total" slide, even though they should not.

Once you move into deep stack limits rather it is 1/3 or 50/100 NL, raise 500 means exactly that and most players will not let it slide and the dealer/room will enforce the rule if someone bitches.

[mosdef]

[ QUOTE ]
. . .

When the pros on TV say "Raise. $500." look at what they do:
They put out the chips to call with (the original bet, in your case $100)
and then put out the raise.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you're going to do that, you'd better say "raise" loud and clear, or when you put out the $100 the dealer (or an opponent) will declare it a call.

[Oblivious]

"I raise. $500." This means 500 straight. Youre betting a total of 500.

"I raise $500." This means 600 straight. Youre betting a total of 600.

Regardless of what happens in tournements on tv, in live cash games, bets are usually announced as thier straight amounts. So in your case, $500 would mean $100 plus $400. "$500 more" would be different.

[Arbogast]

Zen & Percula and Oblivious, your answers are in direct conflict. (Oblivious, your reply conflicts with itself, but I assume that's just a typo?)

I'm still not sure which way is right...

I'm going to be playing in a casino over the holidays... anyone care to recommend the "right way" to raise?

Again, thanks for your patience, I'm sure some people haven't replied because this is so well understood by B&M players. I appreciate the replies.

[Percula]

[ QUOTE ]
Zen & Percula and Oblivious, your answers are in direct conflict. (Oblivious, your reply conflicts with itself, but I assume that's just a typo?)

[/ QUOTE ]

No, Zen and I are on the same page... Same thing just worded differently.

Your best bet (pun intended) is to announce your total bet and push it out. Once you get comfortable you can worry out seperating out the call amount, but really is nothing to worry about, the dealer will sort it out.

Announce "raise 500" or "make it 600 to go" and push out 600 in chips. Speak clearly and to the dealer, make sure the dealer hears you, they are the ones that are there to handle the "how much is it" questions and announcing the action on the table.

If the shoe ends up on the other foot, always ask the dealer what the bet is. This is most common when someone is AI (all in) but does not push out their chips or just pushes part of their stacks out. Remember this can be a very stressful time and you may act too quickly, so always count to 10, make sure you have the action right, who is left to act, etc. The last thing you want to do is call a short stack AI with another big stack left to act when you could raise and take more money from him too. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[Arbogast]

I should have said:

(Zen & Percula) and Oblivious

Thanks for the advice!

[MCS]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm going to be playing in a casino over the holidays... anyone care to recommend the "right way" to raise?

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
I always avoid it by just saying "total of ___" or "___ more."

[/ QUOTE ]