Hold'em table

Q8o on the button in 3-handed play is a standard open-raise; a small 2.5bb sizing steals the blinds often and plays fine in position.

A3 offsuit has an ace blocker but plays poorly out of position as a call. A three-bet against the button open gives it a chance to win the pot preflop.

6-2 offsuit is extremely weak, and facing a substantial three-bet the call price is not worthwhile.

Q8o is too weak against a small-blind 3-bet to 9.5bb, and calling out of position isn't needed; the pot odds are not enough to justify continuing with a dominated hand.

T-3 offsuit is too weak to open from the button against two opponents.

A♠Q♣ is a premium heads-up hand from the small blind; raising to 300 builds value and applies pressure to the big blind.

Getting 3:1 in position against a likely wide small-blind open, 75o has enough equity and playability to defend by calling.

With two overcards and a backdoor spade draw, checking keeps the pot controlled on a low, connected board that can hit the big blind’s calling range.

Middle pair plus a gutshot on a connected board after the preflop raiser checked; a medium-sized bet gets value and protection while denying equity.

The small bet gives favorable pot odds, and ace-high with two overcards plus backdoor club potential has enough equity to continue. Raising would be too ambitious on this connected board.

Bet 650 into the 1,300 pot for value with top pair, top kicker, while charging straight and flush draws. This size also keeps weaker pairs and some draws in the pot.

A pair of fives with a gutshot to the 8, plus trips and two-pair outs, gives roughly 18-20% equity. The pot offers 25% odds, and implied odds on a disguised straight make this a marginal but acceptable call.

My two pair (queens and sixes) is strong enough to value-bet, and a modest river bet can be called by weaker queens or some 9x hands while limiting losses against trips or better.

The river bet is small: I call 900 to win 3500, so I need only about 20% equity. My fives-up with a 7 kicker beats busted heart draws and missed high cards often enough to call.

A3 suited is a strong button-opening hand in a three-handed game. Raise to 2.5 big blinds to take initiative while keeping the open size modest.

Q9o from the small blind facing a 2.5bb button open, with the big blind still to act, is dominated too often and plays poorly out of position. Folding is standard, and Q9o is too weak even for a light 3-bet here.

The small blind's dead money improves the price, making 9-7 offsuit a reasonable marginal defense against a button raise.

With middle pair and a weak kicker on an ace-high dry flop, I prefer to check and avoid building a large pot out of position.

Bet 200 into 550 for value and protection with top pair. The modest size can get calls from weaker pairs and worse aces without inflating the pot unnecessarily.

Middle pair is strong enough to continue against a small flop bet, but raising would unnecessarily build the pot against better hands.

My pair of nines has modest showdown value, but the ace and queen favor the preflop raiser's range. Checking keeps the pot manageable.

Top pair with a weak kicker has some showdown value, but the flop call and turn card make thin value betting risky. I’ll check back to control the pot.

Rivering two pair gives me a strong value hand. A 600-chip bet can get called by weaker aces or queens while keeping the pot manageable against stronger hands.

Top pair has enough showdown value, and the 600-chip bet gives favorable pot odds. The line can include missed backdoor draws or weaker value hands, so folding would be too tight.

Three-handed on the button, K2o is a standard open because both blinds can be attacked. A small 2.5bb raise takes down the blinds often and keeps the risk low.

Pocket eights are strong enough to challenge a button open. Raising from the small blind pressures the big blind and avoids playing a multiway pot out of position.

A2 offsuit is too weak to continue against a 4-bet, especially with the original raiser still to act. Folding avoids investing more chips with a hand likely dominated.

K2 offsuit is too weak to continue against a small-blind 3-bet to 10bb, and being in position doesn't make up for being heavily dominated. Folding costs only the 2.5bb open.

Ten-nine suited plays well in position three-handed, so I’m opening the button for value and initiative.

5h2h is too weak to defend out of position against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

K9o in the big blind against a button 2.5x open is a clear defend: I'm getting 150 into 400 and it's well ahead of a wide 3-handed button range. A 3-bet is too thin, so I'll call and play in position-disadvantaged but priced-in spots.

Out of position with K-high, a backdoor flush draw and a gutshot on a paired board that favors the button's opening range, so checking is best; I can continue against a small c-bet.

A small continuation bet can fold out unpaired hands while keeping the cost of a bluff modest. The gutshot and overcards provide some equity when called.

I have a club flush draw, a gutshot to an 8, and a king overcard against a small bet, so the price is excellent. Calling keeps the pot controlled while I draw with strong equity.

I have a non-nut club flush draw with no made hand, and I'm out of position. Checking keeps the pot manageable and may let me see the river for free, while the Ace of clubs likely helps the preflop raiser's range.

The ace favors my preflop raising range, and ten-high has little showdown value. A turn bet can fold out weaker flop calls while I retain a gutshot if called.

The board is paired, and I have only a low flush draw with K-high. Calling 600 to win 2110 needs about 28% equity, but my equity is under 20% once dominated flushes and full houses are counted.

J♣T♣ is a strong playable hand on the button in a three-handed game. Raise to 250 to apply pressure while keeping the sizing controlled.

Q2 offsuit from the small blind facing a button raise, with the big blind still left to act, is a clear fold. It plays poorly out of position.

K2 offsuit is easily dominated and plays poorly out of position against a button raise. Calling another 150 chips is marginal, so I’ll fold.