why are raises important?

[Maturra]

first of all you need to raise when u have a nice hand because if not u will hit an A and youre opponent will get 2 pairs in the flop or a str8 draw or flush draw.

[jacks_off4me]

it's also important to raise in order to know were you stand and what hands will you most likely get called with.

[floppedthenuts]

it's also important to raise in order to know were you stand and what hands will you most likely get called with.

exactly.
The other major reason for raising is to take control of the betting. A person can be sitting there with next to the nuts and as soon as you raise he is paranoid that you have him beat. It also makes bluffing easier in that way. plus if you are raising in late position it will often give you a free card. There are a million reasons

[isaac]

Raises are definetly a major factor while you are playing poker. You can read an opponent even in online poker by seeing how they raise in certain situations. Some try to bluff to muhc others play tight. YOu will know this if you watch there raising.

[YoungGunKid]

There are three major reasons to raise...Take control of betting...maximize profit on your big hands and or mixing up/changing gears...and or trying to bluff or semi bluff.Thats pretty much it in a nutshell,but there are very intricle things to think out before each and every one of those options/reasons

[Paulozg]

There's always a raise in a decent money table, or almost always. They are really important in order to see where you at, to push away weaker hands that may trip up or something, and its important to bluff at pots. Much easyer to bluff after opening a raise pre flop then to bluff if you have limped in

[Thnks4DaChips]

a raise defines ur hand

[acesxe]

poker is a series of right or wrong decisions.....the winner was the person who made the most right ones.......

raises are essential because they can maximize wins and also minimize losses among other reasons.......

[willie beaman]

You must raise in poker to protect your hands. Too often, players complain about bad beats and why would someone call them down with weaker hands. Lack of aggression in poker will cost you money in the long run. You gotta raise in this game if you plan on winning.

[Killermanner]

Yeah, you're all right there but unfortunately at Full Tilt there will be always calling stations even after a big raise.