Hold'em table

Eight-deuce offsuit is too weak to profitably open from the button against two players.

T5s has enough equity versus a random big blind to complete for 50 into 150, and raising out of position is unnecessary.

With 9♣7♦ and no raise to face, checking takes the free flop; the hand is too weak to build the pot preflop.

Bottom pair with a weak kicker on an ace-high board is not strong enough to bet for value, and checking keeps the pot small against the big blind.

I have a modest second pair on an ace-high, two-spade board. Checking keeps the pot controlled and preserves showdown value without folding out many worse hands or getting raised by stronger ones.

Pair of fives with a weak kicker is behind most ace and nine holdings on this board, so checking keeps the pot small and realizes showdown value.

A small turn bet can get value from weaker pairs and charge spade draws, while keeping the pot controlled with a marginal pair.

Bottom pair of fives gets 3:1 against a small turn probe, so calling is better than folding or raising a weak made hand.

I have only a weak pair of fives on a three-spade river against the turn aggressor, so there is no value in betting. Checking keeps the pot small and lets me see what they do.

I have only a weak pair of nines on a king-high river where the spade flush completed. Checking avoids value-owning myself against a call or raise.

KTo is a standard button open; raising to 2.5bb takes the initiative and builds the pot with a playable hand.

A weak offsuit connector plays poorly from the small blind against a sizable button raise, especially with the big blind still to act. I’ll avoid calling out of position.

The button can open a wide range, and the dead small blind improves my pot odds. Q4 offsuit is marginal out of position, but calling 150 is preferable to raising or folding here.

I have two pair on a dry flop. Checking gives the preflop raiser a chance to bet with an ace or a bluff, while keeping weaker hands in the pot.

King-high with no draw on an ace-queen flop has little value in building the pot, and a c-bet is unlikely to fold enough of the big blind's calling range. Checking back keeps the pot small and realizes whatever showdown value I have.

Two pair is strong after the flop checked through. Betting for value also charges spade draws and other hands that could improve on the river.

King-ten has no pair and no draw on an ace-queen board, so calling a turn bet is unprofitable against a likely value range.

J♣7♣ is a playable suited hand on the button, and raising takes advantage of position while applying pressure to the blinds.

8♣4♣ is too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

3-7 offsuit is too weak to continue against a button open after the small blind folded. Folding saves the extra 150 chips.

Nine-seven suited is a playable button hand three-handed. Raising to 250 puts pressure on the blinds while keeping the pot manageable.

98s has enough playability versus a button open to continue; calling 200 keeps the pot manageable and realizes suited-connector equity.

A7 offsuit is a reasonable defend from the big blind at these pot odds, especially with both opponents already invested. Calling keeps the pot manageable; a 3-bet would be too ambitious multiway.

Middle pair with a weak kicker on a queen-high flop is not strong enough to bet into two opponents, so I check and see the turn.

I have ace-high with only a backdoor flush draw, and the preflop raiser is still behind me. Checking keeps the pot small and avoids bluffing into two opponents on a board that can connect with their ranges.

After both blinds check, middle pair can get value from draws and weaker pairs while denying free cards to overcards. A modest bet keeps the pot manageable if called.

Middle pair with a weak kicker and no draw is too thin to continue out of position against a preflop raiser's flop bet, with the big blind still to act.

Call with the nut-flush draw and an overcard; the modest bet offers favorable odds, while raising risks inflating the pot against a continuing range.

The ace improves my hand, but it also strongly connects with the preflop raiser’s range. Checking keeps the pot manageable and lets me respond to a bet while retaining my flush draw.

My pair of nines has some showdown value, but the ace and third spade make a value bet unlikely to be called by worse hands. Checking keeps the pot small.

A small river value bet can be called by weaker pairs such as queens or nines after the turn checked through. Keeping it modest limits the cost if the button has a stronger ace or a trap.

The small river bet gives me a good price to call with a pair of nines. My hand can beat missed draws and some thin value bets.

Pocket fours on the button is strong enough to open-raise for value and fold equity rather than flat the big blind.

T-4 offsuit is too weak to continue from the small blind against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

4-3 offsuit is too weak to defend out of position against a three-big-blind raise.

Pocket nines are strong on the button in a three-handed pot. Raise to 3 big blinds for value and to take the initiative.

4-2 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a three-big-blind raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

Jh5o is too weak to continue out of position against a button open; folding saves chips.