Hold'em table

Holding pocket Queens on the button in a 3-handed game is an easy value open. Raising to 2.5 big blinds builds the pot and exerts position.

A7o is too weak to continue out of position against a button open, especially with the big blind still to act and frequent domination by stronger aces. Folding avoids a bloated pot with a poor kicker.

A2 offsuit has enough equity against a button open to defend from the big blind at this price, but it is too weak to 3-bet profitably.

With ace-high and only backdoor straight and flush potential, I’ll check to the preflop raiser rather than build the pot with a weak made hand.

I have an overpair with QdQh on an 8d-3h-6d board. I will bet around 60% of the pot for value and protection against draws.

A-high has little showdown value on this low, connected board, and the sizable flop bet makes a call unattractive. The backdoor flush draw and overcard are not enough to continue profitably.

J8o is a marginal but standard button open in three-handed play; a small raise takes the initiative and can win the blinds rather than limping or folding.

9♦5♥ is a weak offsuit hand against a button raise, and calling would leave me out of position with the big blind still to act.

J8s has sufficient playability and equity getting excellent pot odds (150 to win 550) to defend the big blind against a button open.

I missed the flop completely on an Ace-high board that favors the button's range, so checking is standard.

I have no pair or draw on A-2-5, but as the preflop raiser a small c-bet can fold out much of the big blind's missed range.

I completely missed this Ace-high board with Jack-high and no significant draw, making an easy fold to the continuation bet.

Q4 offsuit is marginal but playable from the button in a three-handed game. A small open can win the blinds and gives me position if called.

A5s is a premier 3-bet bluff with solid equity and blockers from the small blind against a button open.

T5o is far too weak to continue against a button open and a small-blind three-bet to 10bb. Folding avoids putting more chips in with a dominated, unconnected hand.

Q4 offsuit is far too weak to continue against a large 3-bet, especially with 7.5 big blinds to call.

Q4o is too weak to open profitably even from the button in 3-handed play.

Button folded, so I am heads-up against the big blind with pocket fives. A small raise takes the initiative and builds the pot with a made hand rather than just completing.

8-2 offsuit is too weak to defend against a 3x raise, especially while out of position postflop.

Pocket fours is a clear open from the button in three-handed play. A raise to 300 builds the pot and takes the initiative before the blinds act.

Q5 suited is too weak to call a 3x button raise from the small blind, especially out of position with the big blind still to act.

J5o is too weak to defend against a button open out of position.

6♣-9♦ offsuit is too weak to open profitably from the button against two blinds, so I fold rather than enter passively.

In a blind-vs-blind spot after the button folds, A8o is a strong hand to open-raise for value and initiative.

76o is too weak to continue against a 3x small-blind raise, even with position and a fold from the button.