Throughout the ages, dealers have had trouble calculating the minimum raise size in 3-bet+ pots.

For example, last night, I opened a pot to 950 UTG. UTG+1 shoved for 4225. A person in MP put in 7 yellows, intending to reraise. The dealer tried to make him put in 8450 when we all stopped him to show that the raise size wasn't 4225 it was.... 3275 more so 3275 on top of 4225 is..... 7500.

This example made me realize that it can get kinda difficult to come up with that number quickly when strange bet sizes are involved. That is when I realized that there's another way to arrive at that answer. (actually I realized it in the shower the next morning but that's not important).

The normal way would be to subtract the smaller bet (950) from the bigger bet (4225) to get the raise size of 3275 and then add that to 4225 to get 7500.

BUT! What if we simply double the larger bet to get 8450 and THEN subtract the smaller bet to get 7500. Doubling 4225 is MUCH easier than adding 4225 to 3275. It's also something dealers would be more familiar with already. Also, in the old way, you have to remember the 4225 number to add it to the raise size where in the new way, there is no need to recall any previously used numbers.

Edit: This also works with simply the blinds. Say the BB is 150. If I raise to 400, what's the minimum reraise? 400x2 = 800-150 = 650.

I think all dealers should know about this shortcut.

fyp

Actually, I think your way WILL come in very handy some day, I'm eager to try it.

Quoted to make sure people see the white text .

Even if you open to 1000, what's easier, adding 3225 to 4225 or subtracting 1000 from 8450?

3225+4225 is just as easy as 4225+4225

either way it all depends on the person, everyone has their own way of doing things and as long as the correct answer is reached it doesn't really matter.

Congratulations, you've discovered that A + (A - B) = 2 A - B

Hey, don't knock it.

I've been dealing 10+ years, and playing for close to 10 more than that, but only recently learned a shortcut to calculate a pot-sized raise (3x last bet, plus the sum of "the trail").

I agree don't knock it, I never really thought of it like that.

Tho' it took you this long to figure out the 3x shortcut? I can't imagine how difficult it must've been before then...

I'm truly honored to have pfapfap approval on this.

It is interesting how simple mathematics like (a-b)+a = 2a-b and such are not as obvious when encountered in real world applications and how much simpler they make these calculations.