JJ, fishy game...do I want callers or don't I?

[zoobird]

That's what I thought. When I realized that (on the bus this morning), that was a real eye-opener for me, because I feel like I've been reading over and over that pairs like 99,TT, and JJ want exactly one caller. I had been overbetting these pairs to try to cut down on the number of callers. The funny thing is I got my first chance to apply my new knowledge about 5 minutes into the only tournament I played today (6,000 person freeroll). Blinds are 10/20 4 limpers, I have JJ in either CO or Button, I bet 80 (would have bet 100-200 before) and 3 of them call. All have Ax or Kx, and the flop is AKJ. I stack 2 of them and have the chip lead.

[MLG]

here's the problem with betting 80 after 4 limpers. you are giving them the correct odds to try and catch up with JJ. With a small raise they are not making a mistake by calling and trying to outflop you. Raise 3x the big blind + 1BB for every limper and it gives you the right balance.

[zoobird]

Thanks. I had heard that rule of thumb before, but never really thought about why it existed before. I think I just evolved from a 2.3 to a 2.4. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[MLG]

one other thing i meant to add. raising big is not only to thin the field it is also to make players make bigger mistakes. if sombody has J10 and calls 60 more thats great, if they call 160 more thats even better.