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Calling Raises Preflop in Pot Limit Hold ‘Em

Just like in no limit, raised pots are where you’re going to make your serious money in pot limit hold ‘em. Knowing when to get into these pots is crucial – fold too much and you’ll miss too many opportunities to stack another player, call too much and you’ll whittle down your bankroll bit by bit. Here are some thoughts on when to call that raise and when to lay down. This article assumes a standard full game with 1-2 blinds and a $200 buyin. You can adjust the numbers for bigger and smaller limits accordingly. The advice also applies generally to NL play preflop.

1. FACTORS THAT IMPACT YOUR ABILITY TO CALL A RAISE

Whether or not to call raises in pot limit is a function of six things, in no particular order:
1) Pot odds: direct and implied
2) Position to the raiser: having position is an obvious advantage, but it’s also important to consider the number of people in between you and the raiser. If you are directly to the left of the raiser, you can drive out with a reraise if she or he follows through on the flop, directly to the right allows you to trap people in between.
3) Willingness of a player to part with his/her stack: – crucial to determining accurate implied odds
4) Size of raise
5) Likelihood of allin re-raise from behind: this factor can cut down your odds significantly. Seriously consider whether a short stack is likely to go allin behind you AND if his/her stack is large enough to allow the original raiser to re-reraise.
6) Number of people to call the raise ahead of you: increases the possibility that you will get paid off if you hit, but also increases the price you will have to pay for draws

2. CALLING RAISES WITH SPECIFIC HAND TYPES

With pocket pairs: since you’re 7 ½ – 1 against, you need odds. Scenarios where you get them:
1) The pot directly lays them 8-1 or better. No brainer.
2) Three or more people in front of you call the raise. Implied odds! No problem.
3) The raiser’s stack lays you 9-1 [the size of the raiser's entire stack vs. the size of the raise] AND she or he is likely to commit their whole stack after big preflop raise
4) The raiser’s stack lays 12-1 and she or he sometimes will commit but raises with a decent variety of hands and can lay down after a miss or weak hit.

With flush cards: you are about 7 ½ – 1 to flop a draw or better, and remember – that doesn’t mean a safe draw – board may be paired etc. if you flop a draw, you are about 2 ½ -1 to make by river on the flop; roughly 4-1 to make on both the turn and river. Scenarios for play with a raise:

With non-connectors or three gaps, you really need some help. These hands, when they hit, build your reputation as loose and stupid, but they are dangerous hands. When in doubt, fold. If you’re calling, better have a bunch of the following met:

1) Should be 1st or 2nd nut draw
2) Pot lays you 10-1 directly
3) Four or more people in front of you call the raise. Implied odds no problem.
4) The raisers stack lays you 10-1 AND she or he can’t let go of a big pair even if draw makes.
5) The raisers stack lays 10-1 and she or he has a pattern of under betting flop

With connectors: your odds of flopping a draw increase. BUT you will no longer be drawing to nut flush and face outdraw possibilities as a result

1) Pot lays you 8-1 directly
2) Two or more people in front of you call the raise. Implied odds no problem.
3) The raisers stack lays you 8-1 AND she or he can’t let go of a big pair even if draw makes.
4) The raisers stack lays 8-1 and she or he has a pattern of under betting flop

With one gaps: much harder to pick up str8 draw

1) Pot lays you 10-1 directly
2) Four or more people in front of you call the raise. Implied odds no problem.
3) The raisers stack lays you 12-1 AND she or he can’t let go of a big pair even if draw makes.
4) The raisers stack lays 12-1 and she or he has a pattern of under betting flop

With unsuited connectors: the likelihood of flopping a str8 draw or better is about 14-1 with the odd chance of two pair or a full house. A big thing to remember here is that if you make your hand it is far more vulnerable to outdraws than a flush, but also better disguised. I’m the least positive on this advice but … call if:

1) You are heads up with raiser and their stack lays you 20-1
2) Pot lays you 14-1 directly
3) Five or more people in front of you call the raise. Implied odds no problem.
4) At least one other caller, the raisers stack lays you 10-1 AND she or he can’t let go of a big pair even if draw makes.
5) At least one other caller, the raisers stack lays 10-1 and she or he has a pattern of under betting flop

I like the heads up because your two pair or even unimproved pair can be a winner – but that’s a real judgment call. With four players your two pair is dead on the turn almost every time unless you fill.

The exceptions to all the above rules:)
1) Big stack vs big stack. if you have the chance to double through 450+, it’s worth a stab to absorb some questionable calls
2) Baby raises [minimum raises] with lots of callers – they build big pots and commit people to them. questionable calls ok, just be able to get away without a perfect flop.
3) You’re a totally awesome player and don’t need any help from me.

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