Betting actions
Raise in poker
Definition
To increase the size of the current bet, forcing the other players to put in more to stay in the hand.
In no-limit games a raise must be at least as big as the previous bet or raise in the round. A raise can be for value, as a bluff, or to isolate a weak player.
Raising has two ways to win: opponents can fold, or you can win at showdown. Calling has only the second, which is why aggressive play is usually stronger than passive play.
Related terms
- BetThe first wager of a betting round, which others must call, raise or fold against.
- 3-betThe second raise before the flop: the big blind counts as the first bet, the open-raise as the second and the re-raise as the third.
- Open-raiseThe first raise before the flop, made when nobody else has raised yet.
- CallTo match the current bet and stay in the hand.