Q&A #36: Sizing Preflop Reraises with Pocket Aces and Kings

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jamleeco asks,

Ed, I know preflop are the most basic of questions but this came up more than usual the other night when the game got a little crazy .

I always try and vary my play when EP or first in , etc. But 4x I had aces or kings and there was a raise and a caller before me.

Quick rundown of couple of those hands. Aces in mp, 5xbb raise, caller, I raised the size of the pot (15bb). Folded to them and both folded. Kings in CO, same betting scenaio except I raised half the pot. The caller called. Q high flop, I bet the pot and he folded.

Am I betting too large amounts ? I know there are a zillion variables but what goes through YOUR mind before you decide an amount? ( Besides how many behind you? ) If the range of possible hands for one of them is wide, the other pretty standard, what kind of odds to you make sure they don’t have so calling you is a mistake.

Again, I know there is not an exact answer even though this is a simplistic question, but I am still adapting from limit and would like to know how your mind works in this situation.

Didn’t mention stack sizes in my no limit reraising question. I had 200 bb’s, smallest in both scenarios was approx. 140 bb’s.

Well jamleeco, your question isn’t simplistic at all. Preflop play sets the tone for the entire hand, and as such, many variables come into play that might not be obvious on the surface. In my opinion, most people tend to oversimplify no-limit preflop play when they talk about it. Whether to reraise, and how much to reraise, depends on your opponents, the stack sizes, your position, who is in the blinds, and numerous other factors.

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