Poker glossary · Betting
What does “raise” mean in poker?
Definition
Raise: To raise is to increase the size of the current bet, so other players must put in more chips if they want to continue in the hand.
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Raising can be for value, to make worse hands pay, or as a bluff or semi-bluff, to make better hands fold. In no-limit games a raise must be at least as large as the previous bet or raise. Raising also gives you the initiative, which helps you win pots when nobody connects with the board.
Example: Your opponent bets 10 into a pot of 20. You raise to 35 with a flush draw as a semi-bluff.
Related terms
- Min-raiseA min-raise is the smallest legal raise: in no-limit games the raise must be at least the size of the previous bet or raise.
- 3-betThe first re-raise before the flop: the big blind counts as the first bet and the open-raise as the second.
- CallTo call is to match the current bet or raise, putting in just enough chips to stay in the hand without raising.