Quick Question - Raise First In?

[Twitch1977]

I have heard it alluded to a few times on the board but I just want to verify it's correctness:

If I am the first person entering a pot am I usually best off raising? And if so what sort of hands would I *not* want to raise with?

Thus far I have been following SSH's recommendations of when to raise different positions, but maybe I should be abandoning that and just shoving the cash in if I'm first in?

Thanks
T

[dogmeat]

I will make the assumption that you are talking about limit - about Hold'em - and about low limit (below $3/$6). You will need to phrase your questions with all aspects of play covered, if you want good answers.

Now that we know the structure and game, we need to know some other things:

What position are you in? Under the gun, middle, late -

What type of image do you have at the table? a) tight - so you can steal more (b) loose - so you will get callers

What type of hands will your opponents call with if they suspect a steal? a) Are they very tight - can you only expect calls with the top 10 hands? (b) They are loose and will cold-call with weak hands.

Now with all this information, some excellent advice can be given. Poker is about specifics, not generalities. If you think differently, you will go broke.

If you want something general here, well, you might want to just limp with baby pairs, A-x suited, and K-x suited, and suited connectors.

Ask specifics and you will get specific answers.

Dogmeat [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

p.s. If you are a very new poster reading this, you probably think I am a prick - but in two months you will happy you read (and hopefully understood) this response.

[Reef]

like dogmeat said..

you asked in general, so I'll give a general answer:
Any top 5 hand, raise first in- early position
Any top 10 hand, raise first in- middle position
Any top 20 hand, raise first in- late position

[Twitch1977]

Maybe I misphrased, I am not talking about a specific situation:

I have heard it repeated many times:

'Raise if you're first into a pot.'

On these boards by several posters. I just want to know if that's something I should in general consider.

If I'm in a middle position with Axs and it's folded to me, should I enter with a call (like SSH suggests) or should I raise because I am the first to enter the pot? Likewise with any hand they would recommend limping with would it be better to raise if I am the first entering the pot?

[Reef]

Ok, how are the people behind you and the blinds? Are they tight/loose/passive/aggressive??

[Twitch1977]

Nevermind. I was never asking for situation specific advice.

[Big Country]

[ QUOTE ]
Nevermind. I was never asking for situation specific advice.

[/ QUOTE ]

The point everyone istryingto make is that there is no general rule. No one can say in general raise with Axs in mid position, because it really does depend on who is left to act behind you, their tendencies, your image, etc. that there is no way to answer this with a generalization.

But, to try be genral, I personally usually would limp with Axs, as I am looking for a flush, and likely throwing away my hand if I don't get a decent piece of the flop. So, knowing that, I want to be in as cheap as possible with as many callers as possible to give me the correct odds to go for my flush, knowing it won't be there mos times, and knowing that if Iraise and am called, many times I am no good even if I hit an ace.

[Steve Chase]

where can I find a list of hand rankings?
I would assume AA is ranked no 1.
KK is no. 2
.....

where can I find such a list?

[Reef]

Hold 'em poker for advanced players by Sklansky to start with

the first 10 should be very easy to deduce on your own:
AA KK QQ JJ AKs 1010 AK AQs AJs KQs etc

[pzhon]

[ QUOTE ]
If I am the first person entering a pot am I usually best off raising? And if so what sort of hands would I *not* want to raise with?

[/ QUOTE ]
In many situations, it is better just to call the big blind. This is true for speculative hands such as low pocket pairs and low suited aces in early position. If you have 66 UTG, and the table is passive preflop, your best choice may be to limp. It's great if several people see the flop. You will probably win a lot if you hit a set, and you will probably be far behind with 2 outs if you miss.