Mason Malmuth apparently believes that there exists no range of games for which it is correct to always raise when opening the pot (first one in) in early position in hold’em.  He seems to say that he has never seen any successful player in a mode of raise-or-fold when the pot has not yet been opened early.  What do you think?

Answer 1:

I would think that a player could be successful with a “pump or dump” strategy, but it would be more profitable to expand that strategy. Surely there are some hands to be played from early position that want to see the flop cheaply. Since we’re discussing MM’s approach, I remember reading him saying that he’ll sometimes limp in with a small pair in early position in the hope of luring in more limpers. Of course the benefit of always raising when opening from early position is that you don’t give any information away. I guess the question is do you gain enough from this to overcome not being able to play certain hands.

Answer 2:

“There is no one that I know of who is successful and raises every time they are first in.” I believe Mason intended to say “most every” time as I doubt anyone would claim “every” time. In early position, say the first three, I would say at least 75%-85% when I am first to open, it is with a raise. This too is what I observe of successful middle limit players. Towards the middle and especially the back, open raise 90%+. Frankly, at the cut-off position and button, it will “nearly” always be an open raise. I would rather flip the cards in the middle than limp for reasons stated earlier. Your points related to more of a spread limit game, 50-100, and bring it in for say 10. That is a different game calling for different strategy.

Answer 3:

Players who do indeed raise every time they are first in. Just because you guys don’t do it doesn’t mean nobody at all does it. In my limited experience with hold’em, these are not technically sound players. They are, instead, the type of poker player who relies on aggression, instinct, bluffing, and people-reading skills. Using these tactics they can often beat a soft game, especially at lower limits, but they don’t have the right stuff to play in the major leagues. You certainly run into these types in stud. They raise immediately after the bring-in with any playable hand, no matter how many over cards are still behind them to act. I do not pretend to understand their rationale, but of course they always have one, as do all poker players.