Raise
A raise increases the current bet so opponents must add more chips to continue. In No-Limit it must be at least the size of the last bet or raise.
A raise is when you increase the size of the current bet. Instead of just matching an opponent's bet with a call, you put in more, and everyone else now has to match your new amount, raise again, or fold. Raising is the most powerful action in poker because it is the main way to win pots without a showdown.
Minimum raise rules in No-Limit Hold'em
In No-Limit, you can raise any amount up to your whole stack, but there is a floor. A raise must increase the bet by at least the size of the previous bet or raise in that round.
- Preflop, 1/2 blinds: the big blind counts as a 2-chip bet, so the minimum open raise is to 4 (an increase of 2).
- Raise over a raise: if a player raises to 6, the increase was 4 (from 2 to 6). The next minimum re-raise is to 10 (6 + 4).
- Postflop: if someone bets 15 into the pot, the minimum raise is to 30. If someone else then raises to 45 (an increase of 30), the next minimum raise is to 75.
Two more details: say "raise" before moving chips, or put the full amount out in one motion, to avoid a "string raise" ruling. And an all-in for less than a full raise does not, under standard rules, reopen the betting for players who have already acted.
Why you raise
Every good raise has a clear reason. The two classic ones are:
- For value: you think worse hands will call. If you hold A♠ A♦ on a K♣ 8♦ 3♥ flop and your opponent bets, raising builds a bigger pot while you are likely ahead.
- As a bluff or semi-bluff: you want better hands to fold. Raising J♥ 10♥ on a 9♥ 8♣ 2♥ flop with a straight draw and a flush draw can win the pot right away, and you still have plenty of outs if called.
Raises also take control of the hand. The last aggressor preflop often gets to continue the story on the flop with a continuation bet.
Example hand
Blinds are 1/2. You hold A♣ Q♣ in the cutoff and everyone folds to you. You open-raise to 6. The button calls and the blinds fold, making the pot 15. On a flop of Q♦ 7♠ 3♣ you bet 8, the button raises to 24 (an increase of 16, so legal). Now you must decide whether your top pair, top kicker is good against that raise. That decision depends on your opponent's tendencies and range.
Sizing tips
- Common preflop opens are 2 to 3 times the big blind, a bit larger if players have limped in.
- A re-raise preflop is called a 3-bet, often around three times the open in position and a little bigger out of position.
- Avoid tiny min-raises postflop without a plan: they offer opponents a great price to continue.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum raise in No-Limit Hold'em?
A raise must increase the current bet by at least the size of the previous bet or raise in the same round. Preflop with a 2-chip big blind, the minimum raise is to 4.
What is a string raise?
A string raise is adding chips in multiple motions without first announcing a raise. Most rooms treat it as a call, so announce your raise or move the full amount at once.
Is raising better than calling?
Not always, but raising gives you two ways to win: opponents folding or you having the best hand. Calling only wins by having the best hand at showdown or by betting later.
Related poker terms
- Call — To call in poker is to match the current bet so you stay in the hand. It's how you continue without raising when someone has already bet.
- 3-Bet — A 3-bet is the first re-raise in a betting round. Preflop it's the re-raise of an open raise, because the big blind counts as the first bet.
- 4-Bet — A 4-bet is a re-raise of a 3-bet. Preflop it's the raise after an open raise has been re-raised, and it usually signals a very strong range.
- Value Bet — A value bet is a bet made with a strong hand that you want worse hands to call. It is the main way winning players build pots they expect to win.
- Bluff — A bluff is a bet or raise with a weak hand that aims to make better hands fold. It wins when your opponent gives up the pot.
- Fold Equity — Fold equity is the extra value you gain from the chance your opponent folds to your bet or raise, winning the pot without a showdown.