Originally Posted by Rondavu

Playing rags is specific to the opponent. When you play rags for raises, you better be able to tell yourself why you're doing it. It can't be because you hope to "hit a lucky flop". It has to have a purpose. That purpose could be to mold your image, or to steal from a person who only raises broadways and you're hoping a rag flop hits.

You should learn the different reasons to play with rags before you start messing around with them. It's also safe to say your reads have to be superior when you play with fire.

Originally Posted by Rondavu

Carlos Mortenson is a perfect example of a guy who plays rags for raises with a purpose. He does it to maintain his image. You can never put him on anything. It's a mess, but it works when done right. The variance is very high. but it can have the effect of loosening your opponent up enough to bust them when you catch a high pocket pair.

I have to admit I play rags for raises often against the right opponent. Two hands in peticular happened back to back and illustrated the downfalls and benefits of doing so...

Hand 1: I was a high stack and was dealt 6c 5c. Guy raises 3xBB and I'm in the pot with 2 other callers. The flop comes 6 6 T. Another guy in hand had A 6 and doubled up through me.

Very next hand: I was dealt 6s 7s. Guy raises to 5xBB. I am the lone caller and the flop comes out 6d Jh 6c. Of course he has a high pocket, and I almost double through while busting him.

The reason it's sometimes correct to call big raises with rags is because of implied odds. Big raises signify high pocket pair. What that means is you will get a lot of action when you hit your hand. In other words, your implied odds are almost guaranteed to be fantastic. You're going to double through more often than not when you hit a monster with your rags against a high pocket. You just have to know when it's time to fold. You have to understand that you need more than one pair to stay in.

Times NOT to do this:

-When blinds are sky high in a tourney
-When you're short stacked in a tourney
-In a cash game when you can't afford it
-When your opponent has a low stack (no implied odds)

Originally Posted by DaHorror

I'm not ready for it yet (sounds like advanced strat, deeper bankroll/BB too) - but I'm curious about this one.

So if your 68s doesn't hit two pair or trips on the flop against AA/KK - the AA/KK will surely bet. Since you are in position against him, do you just fold (meaning it only costs you ~5-10x BB preflop to test the waters on suited rags here)?
What if you hit an open-ended straight or flush draw instead of nothing (but still no trips/2 pair)?
Do you match another 10-20x BB bet to draw against the AA/KK? My inclination would be not to do so, just fold unless they bet really small - that's why I'm querying.