Hold'em table

J8 offsuit is playable on the button three-handed. A 2.5-big-blind raise uses position while keeping the pot manageable.

Q2 offsuit is too weak to call a 2.5bb raise from the button, especially with the big blind still to act.

AKo is well ahead of a wide button opening range in 3-handed play, so I'm 3-betting for value out of position to about 4x.

J8 offsuit is too weak to continue against a large 3-bet, even with position.

AK offsuit is a premium hand on the button in a three-handed game. Raise to 2.5 big blinds for value and to apply pressure to the blinds.

75o from the small blind facing a 2.5x button open, with the big blind still left to act, is a clear fold. We'd be out of position with a weak offsuit hand.

QJo is strong enough to defend the big blind against a button open, but calling keeps the pot manageable out of position.

With queen-high, only backdoor draws, and no position against the preflop raiser, checking is preferable to building the pot.

I have top pair with the best kicker and should value-bet while charging draws on this two-tone board. A modest bet keeps weaker kings and other hands in while protecting my equity.

Q-high has little immediate equity on this flop, and calling out of position against the bet is unlikely to be profitable.

On the button 3-handed, 95s is a standard open, so a small raise pressures both blinds.

Eight-deuce suited is too weak to defend the small blind against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

83 suited is weak, but calling 150 into the 400-chip pot gets favorable odds against a button open range. I'll defend rather than inflate the pot with a raise.

I have a strong flush draw and can apply pressure while retaining plenty of equity when called. A modest bet also gives me a chance to win the pot immediately.

Bottom pair with a backdoor heart draw, in position, getting about 3.8:1 against a small donk bet. A call is reasonable; raising would fold out worse hands and get called by better ones.

I have only a weak flush draw with one card to come and no made hand, so I’ll take the free check rather than build the pot.

Bottom pair plus a heart flush draw has solid equity, and after the opponent's turn check a semi-bluff can fold out better weak hands while building the pot for when the flush hits.

I have only a flush draw with about 9 outs, roughly 20% to hit on the river, which is not enough equity to call 750 into a 1900-chip pot.

54 offsuit is a weak button open against two players with no reads. Folding avoids a marginal spot.

The button has folded, leaving a heads-up pot, and calling 50 offers a favorable price to see the flop with 4♥3♦.

K2o in the big blind against a small-blind limp is a reasonable raise, since the limper's range is capped and I'll have position postflop. A raise to 4bb puts pressure on weak hands, though checking would also be fine.

43 offsuit is too weak to continue against a substantial preflop raise, especially out of position. Calling would invest 300 more chips with poor prospects.

K-high has decent value on the button in a three-handed game, so I’ll raise to apply pressure and take initiative.

96o from the small blind facing a button open is a clear fold: we'd be out of position with the big blind still to act behind us.

A3 offsuit has enough equity to defend the big blind against a button-sized open, especially with the small blind folded. Calling keeps the pot manageable out of position.

Top and bottom pair is strong enough to bet for value against aces and draws. Betting also charges diamond and straight draws.

K-high has no pair, no diamond, and only a very remote runner-runner straight draw. Calling the 375-chip bet would require too much equity against a range that can already have an ace or better.

A8o on the button in 3-handed play is a clear opening hand; a standard 2.5bb raise-first-in puts pressure on both blinds.

K3 suited has a blocker and some postflop potential against a wide button opening range. I prefer a three-bet to calling out of position with the big blind still to act.

K♦7♣ is a weak offsuit hand, and the small blind’s large 3-bet makes calling from the big blind unprofitable._fold

In 3-handed play the SB's 3-bet range is wide, and A8o has enough equity plus position to call 700 into a 2000 pot rather than fold.

A small continuation bet leverages my preflop three-bet on a paired board and can fold out hands that beat king-high. The backdoor spade draw provides some equity if called.

We only need about 19% equity against a small c-bet. Ace-high with backdoor straight and flush draws does well enough against a wide 3-bet range on a paired board to continue by calling.

King-high has little equity when called, and this turn can connect with the opponent’s calling range. Checking avoids committing more chips to a weak bluff.

A8 makes aces-and-sevens with a weak kicker, and it is behind most Ax in a 3-bettor's range. Checking behind controls the pot and lets pairs like KK or QQ bluff or call on the river.

King-high has little showdown value. A river bet can pressure missed draws with better kickers and weaker one-pair hands.

A8 is a bluff-catcher, but I only need about 29% equity. Villain's line of checking the turn when the ace came and then betting the river includes enough missed broadways and weaker Ax to make calling better than folding.