What is the best way to Verbally declare a Raise??

[ptmusic]

The rule "Raises must be at least equal to the previous bet or raise (unless going all-in)" sometimes confuses folks, especially those new to tourneys and No Limit. This confusion is made worse because people declare raises in different ways. I'd like to simplify things and avoid wager mistakes.

Example: Blinds are 100/200. Fred says "Raise...400" and puts in T600 chips of various denominations. John says "call" and puts in T400, thinking that is what Fred meant.

So my question is: what is the best way to verbally declare a raise:

A - "Raise 400" (I see your bet and raise an additional 400, for a total of 600)
B - "Raise to 600" (my total bet, including a raise, is 600)
C - You are way to anal, ptmusic; let it flow....


A makes it easy to know the minimum raise for the following action.

B makes it easy to know the actual amount bet.

Thanks,

ptmusic

p.s. I've been in the audience of a WPT final table, and I've seen the pros get a bit confused over this!

[jzpiano14]

I use both A and B, depending on who is in the pot with me. If I know they can't do math real well I spell it out for them, others I can just say raise to 600 and be alright.

[ThinkQuick]

I like the way B sounds, but you point out a very good advantage regardgin A..

I tend to use a B style.. "Make it 600", then say "That's a T400 raise" to the next guy if he looks confused

[Dariel86]

Declare with loud voice: I RAISE [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[MSPatton]

I just verbally declare "Raise"

I push the 200 to call in front of me
Then place my raise (400) in front of me in a seperate stack
It makes it easy for the person being raised to see that I called the 200 and raised the 400.
Since they are two different transactions I use two stacks.

[Yarney]

You can also go with the first example by simply saying "Raise, 400 more. "

-Yarney

[amlindauer]

I'm in favor of B. Seems the simplest to me. Then the next person to act knows exactly what the bet is. They don't have to have known the precvious bet and add your "400" onto it. So regardless of previous action, you know what the current bet amount to you is.

As they like to say at the Casino...."600 to go...."

[TomHimself]

raise 400 ovver the blind, but i also like to show my call and raise in 2 stacks like someone else said

[smoore]

I do it like mspatton suggested. I say "raise" and put the call out there. Then I grab a stack of chips and count the raise out next to it. Don't fiddle with your chips because it's a possible angleshoot if you're stacking and unstacking a raise while looking for tells. That's why I take more chips in my hand than I'm going to raise, no angle, no stringbet.

[Phill S]

i always announce what i raise to.

ie, raise to 600, 600 to go, 600 total. ive used all 3 types of raises.

i always have to ask what people mean though. i often get people saying 600, putting in a stack and i have to ask, is that a raise to 600, or a raise of 600.

as long as people specify either way, doesnt bother me one bit. thats why i always do.

Phill