Punish The Button

Button raising is the norm in poker whether you are playing no limit holdem or pot limit omaha.  It is common to see players that pretty much always raise when they are on the button regardless of their hole cards.  You will take notice of these players very easily when it is your blinds they are constantly attacking but you should keep your eyes peeled for them regardless of who’s blinds they are stealing.  My range definately opens up on the button but I personally do not like to raise any 2 or any 4 on the button.  I feel that player looses all credibility and is going to get played back at sooner or later.

If a player steals your blind a couple hands in a row it is time to play back at them and 3-bet preflop.  More often than not they will fold to your re-raise or call and then fold to your continuation bet on the flop.  Say you are playing .50-1 no limit hold em and a player has stolen your big blind twice so you are down $2 to that players steal bets.  If that player is raising to 4x the big blind and making it $4 you are going to gain more ground than them by 3-betting and picking up their $4.  This will also help to put that player in their place and they will start to think twice about stealing your blinds.  Another option is to call their raise and check-raise the flop.  I personally prefer the 3-bet because they will fold often enough to make it worth it.  You will not be able to 3-bet the same player multiple times without them picking up on what you are doing so do it sparatically, having a decent holding helps too but is not necessarily required.

Poker is a game that often rewards aggression so there will always be someone trying to run you over.  You can not always wait for a hand and need to be aware when you’re not the only one with nothing.  The player who picks up those we both have nothing pots are usually the ones  that come out on top in the long run.  Don’t let someone beat you up from the button and punish them for trying to run you over.