Minraising or minbetting?

[NoSocksLLC]

Curious about "min" raises, and what y'all think about them.

In a smaller stakes ring game, say $10NL, if someone in a MP raises from .10 to .20, what do you make of it?

I'm trying to formulate my poker game, and these are kind of catching me up. Normally, I'll limp KQ, KJ, QJ, and A5-A2s. Should I still be playing these at a .20 bet? Is it pretty much still limping?

What about during a hand? Let's say the pot is .50 to $1, and someone bets 10 cents...is this just useless? Are they probably on a draw?

This is one aspect of the game I've had a really hard time with. Opinions?

Best,
EW

[donkbee]

Depends on the player, the situation, and pretty much anything else you can think of. There is no rule. Some people do it because they are idiots. Other people do it because they're afraid to bet more. Others do it to trap. Etc, etc, etc ... There isn't really anything you can make of a min raise until you have reads on someone.

If someone min raises and I have already limped in, I usually call (stack and blinds permitting ... also dependent on whether or not it's a cash game or tourney) seeing as pot odds pretty much make it mandatory. If I have a hand like 88 and I'm playing for set value, I love min raises. Hardly anyone folds to a min raise preflop, and it gives me great odds and a lovely pot if I hit my set.

[Renton]

If a tight passive player (vpip% 10-13, pfr% 1-3%) minraises out of position preflop i fold 95% of the time (unless I have AA/KK or a stacking hand like a pair so I can flop a set and stack them).

Other than that, donks just tend to minraise and it usually means nothing. Some players minbet post flop when they have a monster. Some do it when they are weak. Some do it just because they feel obligated to bet for no reason. I usually take it as weakness until proven otherwise, and will raise a flop minbet to pot with anytwo cards just to put donk to the test. Then if he comes over the top or calls without hesitation, I make a note that he minbets with monsters.

[martindcx1e]

Agreed Renton. Just put them to the test and make a note. It's great when you finally get a read like "they minbet monsters and bet 1/2 pot w/ 2nd pair." Then you can pick some nice spots to run them over.

[Irisheyes]

Curious about "min" raises, and what y'all think about them.

In a smaller stakes ring game, say $10NL, if someone in a MP raises from .10 to .20, what do you make of it?

I'm trying to formulate my poker game, and these are kind of catching me up. Normally, I'll limp KQ, KJ, QJ, and A5-A2s. Should I still be playing these at a .20 bet? Is it pretty much still limping?

If there has to be a rule (and I think its a good idea that you do have one) I say fold them. Call or raise with AQ/AK and AA etc.

What about during a hand? Let's say the pot is .50 to $1, and someone bets 10 cents...is this just useless? Are they probably on a draw?

Yes they are probably on a draw. Pretend the bet isn't there (but remember they're prob. drawing), if you were planning on betting then make your normal bet (excepn now its a raise). If you were planning on checking then just fold (or call if you have the pot odds you need and are drawing).