Poker is a game of strategy and skill, where players need to make informed decisions quickly. One important aspect of poker is raising, which occurs frequently during the game. However, re-raising is a different story altogether. It's a powerful tool that can help you build the pot or even get rid of an opponent. In this article, we'll explore when to re-raise in poker and how much you should raise.

When to Re-Raise

There are several situations where re-raising makes sense:

1. You have a very strong hand: When you're confident that your hand is the best, re-raising can help build the pot or get an opponent to fold.
2. You want an opponent to call: Sometimes, you need to encourage an opponent to commit more chips to the pot. Re-raising can help achieve this goal.
3. You think an opponent will fold: If you're convinced that an opponent will fold if they realize the strength of your hand, re-raising can help get rid of them and increase your chances of winning.

Re-Raising Preflop

In Texas Hold'em, most re-raises occur preflop. When the first player to bet more than the big blind amount is raising, any subsequent action that increases the bet even more is known as re-raising. For example:

• The under-the-gun player limps (calls for $3), and the cutoff raises to $15.
• If the button makes it $60 to go, they are re-raising.

The first re-raise preflop is called a three-bet. Subsequent re-raises against this three-bet are known as four-bets, five-bets, and so on.

Re-Raising Postflop

While most three-betting happens preflop, the same terminology applies to postflop re-raises. Re-raising after the flop generally indicates a very strong hand or a strong draw.

How Much Should I Re-Raise?

The amount you should re-raise depends on several factors:

• Preflop: Three-bets typically fall within a range of 3x to 5x the size of the initial raise. Some pros use a three-bet size of around 3x when in position preflop, and around 4x when out of position.
• Postflop: Re-raises can vary significantly in size, especially in live cash games. A general guideline is to re-raise to around 3x your opponent's raise.

Minimum Re-Raise Size

Remember that the minimum re-raise size must be at least the amount of the previous raise. For example:

• If an opponent bets $20 on the flop, any re-raise must be at least $20 more, or $40 total., re-raising is a powerful tool in poker that can help you build the pot or get rid of an opponent. By understanding when to re-raise and how much, you'll become a more formidable player at the table.

Standard Sizings

Here are some standard sizings for various re-raises:

• Preflop open raises: 2-3bb online but larger in live games.
• Preflop 3bets: Usually around 3x the size of the open raise.
• Preflop 4bets: Usually around 2.2x the size of the 3bet.
• Preflop 5bets: Usually an all-in assuming stacks are not deep.

Street Sizings

Here are some standard sizings for various re-raises by street:

• Flop: 2bets usually around 3x the size of the initial flop bet. 3bets usually somewhere between a min-raise and 2x the size of the 2bet.
• Turn: 2bets usually around 2.2x if there was betting action on the flop, or around 3x if the flop was checked through. 3bets are rare, but usually all-in if the flop was bet, and between a min-raise and 2x the size of the 2bet if the flop was checked through.
• River: 2bets usually just over 2x the size of the initial bet, often closer to 3x if there has not been much betting action on earlier streets. 3bets are rare and usually all-in.

By understanding these standard sizings, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions at the table.