To limp or standard raise in low limits

[Strung]

I'm relatively new to NLHE so I'm wondering if it's better to just limp with hands you wanna play (only raise premium?) or do a standard raise on every hand (maybe 3xBB?). I'd be moslty playing $10 and $25 buyin or is it just too low a level to try the standard raise thing?

[dalecooper]

The majority of players (winning and otherwise) mix limping and raising. Better players usually raise more than they limp. Few players raise literally every hand they play, although some do.

If I had to recommend a good generic strategy, it would be to raise premium hands from most seats, raise some less than premium hands in position to mix up your play and steal pots, and limp the rest of the time when you have position or the pot odds warrant it. Suited connectors and low pairs are good limping hands because you don't mind other players controlling the aggression; you react if you make a monster, otherwise you can comfortably let the hand go. You also don't mind limping with these most of the time because they play as well in multi-way (4 or 5 player) pots as they do heads up. In fact they may even be better, because if you make a straight, flush, or set you're liable to catch one or two players with a second best hand, and you can take them for a lot of money.

Premium hands you usually want to raise to thin the field, and get value for the hand.

Regarding the stakes you play at, standard raises are fine for the $25 buyin. For the $10 buyin you may find you need to raise more to get anyone at all to fold. You'll always be adjusting your standard raise though. Some tables are too loose for a 3xBB raise to do much except juice the pot, so you may up it to 5x or 7x. Some tables are too tight and you can back down to a 1x or 2x raise and still only get one or two callers. And if you're at a REALLY loose table, you may focus on speculative hands (suited connectors, etc) and raise strictly to juice the pot, rather than get anyone to fold.

[a500lbgorilla]

Limp with pocket pairs and limp behind other limpers with suited connectors.

You shouldn't be playing that many hands, and hands other then those listed above need to be raised. Limping and only betting when you hit is kissing away a lot of precious monies.

-'rilla