NoPokerFace.net

 If the other player merely calls your blind, you need to raise back about twice the size of the blind if you have a good hand, because your foe may be trying to sneak in and see the flop for cheap. A high value hand needs to be paid, particularly when you're playing head's up. Never give your opponents an opportunity to outdraw you and beat your more powerful starting hand without paying adequately for the opportunity to do so.

If your opponent raises your big blind by less than three times, you want to call if you have a good pre-flop small blind action hand (give thoughtful consideration to dropping hands like the tiny suited connectors and the like of 8-9 off-suit) and immediately fold weaker hands. You should only use good hands against large bets.

If the raise on you is significantly bigger than your big blind (it may happen with an all-in), think about calling only if you hold A-K, A-Q, or a pair jacks or better; other kinds of calls are probably too speculative. This obviously depends on the read you on your opponent - what's his poker image - as well as the present chip standing and his likely desperation. For instance, if he's short stacked, and you have him covered by more than double the size of his stack, you should understand that the number of hands that he's likely to push all-in with is widen. Consequently, you can be more aggressive in calling.

Against the absolutely biggest of bets you should only play the very best of hands.  Try to give yourself the highest chance of winning. You frequently see, especially in those small buy-in tournaments, players push all-in with just an ace and any low suited kicker. If a player does, and you call with a monster, as mentioned, above your general chances of winning are very good.  As time elapses, watch closely your opponent and his betting pattern. If he looks to always raise or always call you for a certain amount pre-flop, and then he abruptly bets much more on a specific hand, be prepared to let your hand go.  Be very cautious of someone who calls after a lengthy series of raises in a specific kind of hand - that tactic is likely a trap set by the player who has high pocket pairs.

You may well be a poker animal, a real poker beast, but be careful not to end up trapped and exhibited as a trophy on someone else's wall.