Open
To open is to be the first player to bet in a betting round. Before the flop it means to be the first to raise. An open raise is the first raise in the pot.
The simple explanation
If everyone before you folds and you raise, you have opened the pot. That is an open raise. Before the flop, a limp is not an open, but a raise is.
A closer look
Opening ranges depend on position: they are tight from early position and wide on the button. Open raises are usually 2 to 3 big blinds. After an open, the others can fold, call or three-bet. In draw games, 'to open' means to start the betting, and a minimum hand may be required, such as jacks or better. After the flop, 'open' is used less, and the usual term is 'bet'.
A practical example
Everyone folds to you on the button, and you raise to 6. You have opened the pot.
Full explanation
To open is to be the first player to bet in a betting round. Before the flop it means to be the first to raise. An open raise is the first raise in the pot.
To open means to be the first to bet or raise.
The first raise before the flop is an open raise.
Opening the betting
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of hearts (Kh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB 99 of clubs (9c)88 of clubs (8c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A is the first to raise before the flop. He opens the betting with a raise to 6.
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of hearts (Kh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 99 of clubs (9c)88 of clubs (8c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.