at low limits, raising 4BB is good (NL2-NL10) cos people aren't 3betting you light and they play way too loose so you need to discourage them from all entering at once.
At higher limits, people fold correctly and you usually get headsup pots + very aggressive 3bet dynamics so raising 2.2-2.5BB is usually preferred
I just keep it simple in 6-max (fast tables):
3x every position except BTN and SB where it is 2.5x.
3-bet: 3x IP, 4x OOP; an additional 1x for every caller
I don’t have some deeper fundamental thinking for you, but here’s how I would approach it.
I play NL500/Nl1000 and there is still a variety of preflop sizes from 2bb - 3bb. I still use 3x from all positions except BTN, where I use 2bb. The reason I use these sizes is because I’m most comfortable with these ranges postflop. If one raise sizing was materially better, everyone would switch over to it.
Therefore, since all raise sizings are probably similar in EV on mid stakes, you should use 3x on micro stakes, because of rake considerations. Unless you are more comfortable with ranges associated with a different size.
Interesting discussion. Recently i started using the sizings that pokersnowie recommends. It's about 2.2 from all positions, exept button und sb, where he pots it. my button wr improved after that. interesting, because its the opposite reasoning that mbml mentioned and as i used to see it myself.
Why do you think does the program do that? small sizings from oop, because stronger opponents rather 3b than coldcall and to force the blinds to play a wide range oop vs you? big from the button, to 1) generate more fe and 2) to play a bigger pot with guaranteed position? note that opening range on button goes down to 35% because of the big size.
maybe button wr went up, because its generally better on lower limits (this is N25 /50) to open bigger...
If you open so small, do you tighten your early ranges from the first 3 positions?
I would assume so, since you're doing to this so that you can call 3Bets more often.
Or, conversely, do you use a wider range, since now you are getting to play more hands, and therefore can play more speculative hands...
Originally posted by checkdex
When i was playing 6max CG - open from EP 3x ,CO 2.5x / BTN 2.3x and SB 2.2/ 2.1
This looks good. BTN i min raise. Then sb- I go back to 2.5bb
In micro-stakes you should strongly consider the high rake. Theoretically you shouldn't be doing small raises and cold callind preflop
-raise larger in loose games with tighter ranges so that you can thin the field
-raise smaller in tighter games with wider ranges so that you can steal the blinds cheaply and frequently, and you commit less postflop against tighter ranges when they do defend.
-raise smaller in aggressive games so that you raise/fold and lose less
-raise larger in passive games because the aggressive player makes more when hecan better control the action (expects to win a larger % of the time on average). which means that bloating the pot earlier on helps you to increase EV later
Lower stakes games are typically looser/more passive, so use larger raise sizes of 3.5-4bb in live games or at NL2-NL5
Higher stakesgames are typically tighter/more aggressive so 2.2-3bb are usually more appropriate.
