Raising Poker Tips One of the simplest tips anyone can offer a new online poker player is to watch their bankroll, how they use it, and when they raise with it. Sounds fairly simple doesn't it? Most new players do not understand how to use a raise to win, raise to bust out an opponent, or raise to steal a blind. This is required information for any online poker player, experienced or not.

Over time, there have surfaced 6 popular reasons to raise effectively in any poker game. 1) The Royal Hand: Obviously, if you are certain your hand is the best you can get, raise the pot. This action will tempt others to call, and some to re-raise your pot. As long as you are sure you have an incredibly strong hand, don't let it go easily, and you will cash the pot.

2) Raise to stop competition: By raising aggressively it is possible to intimidate an opponent into leaving a hand, even if they have a higher pocket/ community combination. By raising under this case, you are telling the better hand that you have strength, and they may chose to fold, instead of meet you in the showdown. This would protect your hand. 3) Bluff: Raising to protect your bluff cards, often a midrange or below hand, it may be possible to encourage even the most competent players to fold, the hope in this case is that the highest hand is the first or among the first to fold.

Keep in mind, that if you are holding an 'ok hand' and your opponent's choices is to check, especially with a draw game, you will have gotten a free card, with which to hopefully improve your hand. So should you chose to bluff, do not forget the value of a check. 4) Felt Research ? Gathering accurate information on the other players is vital. A raise will help you ascertain the strength of the other poker player's hands. One classic example of this working would be if you have a mid-ranked hand, lets say pocket 8's with another in the flop.

You may chose to raise, to determine if the other players have a better hand. Their response to your bet would be the answer. A small raise here would be appropriate. Anything higher and you may find solid competition that is ready to take your chips.

5) Improve Pot Odds: A raise can be used to encourage those across the felt who do not have the best possible hands, or know they have the best possible hands, to fold. Even if they could have improved their hand with the community cards, the players that are left are better able to win a pot. 6) Isolation Tactics: By moving out quickly and aggressively prior to the betting round reaching the suspected hand, it may force them and others to fold to the aggressive nature. This isolationist mentality often forces many pots into the hands of the isolationist, however it also forces the stronger players to chose heads up competition.

By keeping such simple steps in mind while playing, just choice to raise can be used as a tool, or a weapon. Keep this in mind, every card, every hand, every game, and you will find greater success.

Jack Boulin is author of this article on online poker strategies. Find more information about finding free poker games onlinehere.