Why Poker Players Raise

No matter what poker game is being played, whether it is a cash game or a tournament, there is no doubt that raising is going to take place. Most likely, every pot being played will see at least one raise by a player. But why do players raise? Believe it or not, there are actually 5 important reasons why a player might raise.

To Drive Out Opponents when a Player has the Best Hand

When a PokerStars.net player raises when he thinks he has the best hand to drive other players out of the pot, what he is essentially doing to raising to give other players insufficient odds to chase some of their outs. When cutting down another player’s odds, you will reduce the amount of money they win per dollar invested. A player raising to drive opposing players out of the hand is doing so primarily to prevent draws or second best hands from catching up. Simply put, a player is raising to terminate the hand.

To Get More Money in the Pot when a Player has the Best Hand

When a player has the best hand, he wants more money in the pot, so he wins more money. This is known as raising for value. This type of raise ideally occurs when a player has best hand and is not vulnerable to players catching up.

To Bluff or Semi-Bluff

This play is often done when a player is on a flush or straight draw on the flop and a raise can help in two different ways. First, the raise might take down the pot right away on the flop. That way, the player with the draw will win the pot without having to chase his draw, and will win with the worst hand. Second, a bluff or semi-bluff raise may set up a play on later streets. Additionally, a PokerStar bet of this nature (specifically a semi-bluff) often leads to other betting styles in the event a hand hits, such as when the flush card comes on the turn after betting on the flop with your draw.

To Get a Free Card

Even if the player’s raise does not win the pot on the flop, most likely the player’s opponent will check the turn. The raiser will then check back, and will get to see the river card free.

To Gain Information

Instead of check-calling an opponent on the flop, turn and river with what a player might THINK is the best hand but could very well be second best, that player might raise on the flop to see “where he is at”. If he is reraised, he can confidently fold. If he is called, there is a good chance the hand will check down to the river.

Raising is a helpful tool, and if used correctly, it could mean the difference between winning and losing a poker hand.