Quote Originally Posted by !Luck
Thank you all for the quick replies. I see what you guys mean. I just only think to raise aa-jj like 2 dollars and on those i should probally go atleast 3 if not 5. And aq o is worth a raise didn't thin of that but i guess it is like ak a lot weaker but still strong. wish me luck going out again tonight.
I disagree. With that strategy you'll get the least amount of play on the hands you want the most callers with. Boyd and Skylasky's tournament poker book have inspired my current pre-flop game. I'll let you in on it.

http://www.rakefree.com/faq.htm

My principals:
o My primary goal with a raise is to setup a favorable environment for hands that play really well against few opponents. Secondary is to set up bigger bets with my best hands.
o You should raise about the same amount for a wide variety of hands, otherwise you give up too much information.
o Your first raise will get more respect than your second, third, etc. even with weak players. So raise early and shift down gears later.
o The gap concept and game theory dictates you should open with a raise with more hands than you would call a raise or re-raise with since your raise represents a very strong hand (wheither you have one or not) and you have a chance of stealing the money on the table.
o You're better off knowing the layout of the table BEFORE you get a monster hand like AA, KK or AK

Amount for $25 NL:
$2 or the amount of money on the table plus a buck or two. I adjust up if there are several calling stations at the table.

Approximate set of raising hands (note: I do not call raises or re-raises with all of these hands):
Pair of Tens or better
AK, AQ, AJ, AT, KQ offsuit
Jacks or better suited (although I don't mind a multi-pot as much with them.)
Pair of Eights or better (sometimes)
KJo (sometimes)

Skylasky also suggests that tight suited connectors are worth a rare raise for deception.