Poker is a game of aggression. The more you raise pots, the more likely it is you will take the pot then and there. Passive play sometimes is essential but should only be used to misdirect you opponent. Passive play should only be used when you’re up against a player who is extremely aggressive and you know he or she will bet into you. Raising pots puts your opponent to the test, most of the time your opponent can only call you with a quality hand.

With that point in mind, you can start to put you opponent on a hand much easier if you raise pots. Most people only call raised pots with premium starting hands, so you can deduce what they are holding at a higher percentage then if the pot were not to raise.

Sometime you will get re-raised, in a situation like this the correct play more times then less is to fold, unless you think your opponent is trying to make a move on you. This co-relates to the point that aggression wins pots. If someone is re-raising your raise, you more or less have to give credit for a better hand unless you’re holding a monster.

A lot of people like to slow play there big pockets from early position hoping for a re-raise so they can pump the pot. I can not stress enough that this is a terrible play unless you know an aggressive player will raise. What if the entire table limps behind you? What then? You can not put anyone on a decent hand and your letting hands like suited connectors out flop you. You must raise these big pockets to protect your hand from someone cracking your big pair. Again aggression wins pots.