Common bet sizes
Bet size is generally expressed as a percentage of the pot. We usually pick from a few common sizes for simplicity.
| Bet Size | Description | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| B10 | 10% of the pot | tiny bets, low SPR |
| B25 | 25% of the pot | small bets, low SPR |
| B33 | 33% of the pot | small bets |
| B50 | 50% of the pot | medium bets |
| B75 | 75% of the pot | medium bets |
| B100 | 100% of the pot | polarized bets |
| B125 | 125% of the pot | polarized bets |
| B150 | 150% of the pot | polarized bets, high SPR |
| B175 | 175% of the pot | highly polarized bets, high SPR |
| B250 | 250% of the pot | highly polarized bets, high SPR |
Common raise sizes
Raises are also expressed as a percentage of the pot. To calculate a raise size, we call the current bet and then add the chosen percentage of the hypothetical pot (the pot after the call).
The examples below use a 10bb pot facing a 5bb bet. The hypothetical pot after the call is 20bb.
| Raise size | Raise to | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| R33 | 11.6bb | small raise, low SPR |
| R50 | 15bb | medium raise |
| R100 | 25bb | large raise, polarized |
How to choose a bet size
A good bet size starts with the range, not the exact hand. When our betting range is wide and contains many medium-strength hands, smaller sizes are often easier to support. When our range is polarized between very strong value hands and bluffs, larger sizes usually make more sense.
Stack depth and SPR also matter. At low SPR, small bets can still put meaningful pressure on the opponent because stack size is already close to the pot size. At high SPR, larger bets may be needed to build the pot with our nutted hands and create enough pressure with our bluffs.
The same logic applies to raises. A small raise can attack wide bets or low-SPR spots, while a large raise usually represents a more polarized range that wants to play a bigger pot. In general, we raise larger against small bets and smaller against larger bets. This is because we can polarize our range against a merged range, but there is no need to polarize against an already polarized range.
Geometric sizing across streets
Geometric sizing means choosing bet sizes that allow stacks to go in naturally by the river. Instead of thinking about just the current street, we plan how the pot and remaining stack will look after each bet.
This matters most when our range contains nutted hands that want to play for stacks. If we bet too small early, we may arrive on the river with too much stack behind and need an awkward overbet to get all-in. For example, if small flop and turn bets leave us needing to bet 500% pot on the river, the line may not apply enough pressure on earlier streets or get enough value from our strongest hands.
Geometric sizing does not mean every hand wants to force stacks in. It means that when stacks going in is a realistic goal, our earlier sizes should support that plan.
River sizing
River sizing is different because there are no future cards. Protection and equity denial no longer matter, and the decision is mostly about value, bluffing, and pot odds.
In position, very small river bets are often unattractive unless the spot has a specific reason for them. Small bets give the opponent a cheap price to call and can expose us to check-raises. As a rule of thumb, we recommend bets at least 50% pot IP on the river.
Common sizing mistakes
Beginners often:
- give away information by sizing bets according to their hand instead of their range
- forget to consider SPR when sizing bets
- use the same sizes on different board textures
- overcomplicate spots that only need one well-chosen size
Key takeaways
Bet sizing is a strategic tool. By knowing how different sizes affect price, pressure, and future streets, we can pick sizes that maximize our expected value and put our opponents into difficult spots.