Preflop Raising in No Limit Poker

  No Limit poker is a different animal than the Limit game. In other words if you are used to riding a nice, predictable horse playing No Limit would be like jumping on the back of a North American Bison, digging your spurs into its sides, and hoping for the best. So if you are used to the nice, predictable betting structure of Limit poker, the culture shock of the No Limit game can be fatal.  So when raising before the flop in No Limit poker, how much should you raise? Well if you only risk an amount equal to the big blind, your new table image will have a lot in common with a jellyfish; and nobody likes to be referred to as an invertebrate.  To project strength, your raise should be three to four times the big blind. If antes are involved, it should even be a little higher than that.  Like any other battle plan your strategy for raising may not survive contact with the enemy. You may go in expecting to raise three to four times the big blind, but then if everyone in front of you (if you are playing in a late position) limps in, you should change your behavior to match their lack of confidence. Your raise should go from three to four times the big blind to five or six times the big blind. This will force them to either fold, or defend their cards.  No Limit is a different game, and it's not for everyone. Just be aware of how big the money can get before you make the move to this end of the poker pool.  Good Luck!