Players in no limit tournament give a different level of respect to raises based on a number of factors.
One factor is the position of the pre-flop raiser.
For example, if the player on the button is the first one in a hand and raises, his raise is often viewed as as a move to steal the blinds with any two cards.
Yet, a raise from the player in small blind as the first one in a hand is given more respect.
One reason for this discrepancy is that the player on the button will have a positional advantage over the blinds, while the small blind will be in the worst position throughout the hand.
That is why a pre-flop raise from the small blind, as the first player in the hand, is an excellent move to steal the blinds.
Players are passive in blind versus blind heads-up situations.
The big blind is more likely to respect a raise from the player on the small blind.
The next time you are in the small blind seize the initiative when everyone folds to you.
Raise.
Your cards don't matter.
And raise an amount that will get the big blind to lay down his hand.
The other key in making this raise is that you want to test the big blind.
How will the big blind handle a raise from the small blind? Most often the player in the big blind will not have a big enough hand to defend and will fold.
Adding chips is key to winning a poker tournament.
Get the respect you deserve in the small blind by making the big blind fold to your pre-flop raises.