Hold'em table

K5 offsuit is strong enough to open on the button three-handed. A 2.5 big-blind raise gives me a chance to take the blinds while keeping the pot manageable.

Q4 offsuit is too weak to call a button raise from the small blind, especially with the big blind still to act.

A2o in the big blind against a button 2.5x open, getting 150 to win 400 (about 27% equity needed), is a profitable defend. Calling keeps the pot manageable, and A2o plays reasonably well out of position.

Top pair with a weak kicker out of position against a button raiser on an A-K board; check to control the pot and catch bluffs, since the raiser's range crushes A2 on this texture.

Middle pair has showdown value, but a bet is unlikely to get much value from worse hands on this ace-high board. Checking in position keeps the pot manageable.

Top pair with a weak kicker after the flop checked through; the button's range is weakened, so a small bet gets value from kings, small pairs and draws and denies equity.

Second pair is strong enough to call this small turn bet against a big-blind range that can include weaker pairs and draws. Raising would risk building a large pot against an ace.

A2 is a weak top pair that gets called mostly by better Ax, so checking keeps the pot controlled. It also lets missed heart draws bluff, and I can call a reasonable bet.

My king is a reasonable showdown hand, but worse hands are unlikely to call a river bet often enough to make it worthwhile.

A6 offsuit is a reasonable button open in a three-handed game. Raising to 2.5 big blinds applies pressure while keeping the pot manageable.

KJo from the SB against a button open in 3-handed play is strong enough to 3-bet for value and to take the initiative. Calling out of position with the BB still to act is worse.

8-5 offsuit is too weak to defend against a large three-bet, especially with the original raiser still to act.

A6 offsuit is too weak to continue against a large 4-bet from the small blind, even with position and favorable pot odds.

Three-handed on the button, T6o sits near the bottom of a wide opening range, so a small steal is profitable against two blinds.

Q9 offsuit is worth defending against a likely wide button opening range, especially with no rake. Calling keeps the pot manageable with a marginal hand.

With 9♦6♠, calling out of position against a raise and a caller is too weak, even at this price. Fold and preserve the stack.

I have no pair or immediate draw on this ace-high flop. Checking avoids building the pot out of position.

Middle pair with a weak kicker on an ace-high board plays best as a pot-control check in position, which gets showdown value cheaply. Villain's SB flat range contains plenty of Ax.

I have an open-ended straight draw but no made hand. Checking keeps the pot manageable and gives me a chance to see the river cheaply.

Middle pair after two checks from the SB is likely ahead often enough; a small bet gets thin value from draws and weaker pairs while keeping the pot manageable.

An eight-out straight draw has reasonable prospects against this small turn bet, and a hit may win additional chips on the river.

Queen-high has little showdown value. The river diamond completes a possible flush, and holding the Qd blocks some flush combinations, making this a reasonable bluff against one-pair hands.

Second pair can't beat much once the flush completes and the check-caller leads the river; their value range (flushes, Ax, two pair) dominates the few bluffs, so the 30% pot odds aren't enough.

On the button, 7-6 offsuit is a playable steal with position against both blinds. A modest raise gives me a chance to win the blinds while keeping the pot manageable.

A2 offsuit is a weak out-of-position defend against the button’s raise, especially with the big blind still to act. I’ll avoid investing more in a likely multiway pot.

Q9o in the BB versus a button open of 2.25x is getting good pot odds (125 to win 375), so it's a clear defend. Calling is better than 3-betting with this hand.

Q-high on a paired board out of position against the button's range. Checking lets me realize equity and maybe call a small c-bet with two overcards to the 4.

I have a gutshot but little showdown value and no flush draw. Checking in position lets me realize equity without building a pot on a board the big blind can connect with.

The turn gave us top pair on a paired board, and the button checked back the flop, which caps their range. A 60% pot bet gets value from weaker 8x-free hands and pairs, and it also protects against overcards.

I have only a gutshot on a paired board, and calling 300 is unlikely to be profitable against a turn bet.

Q8 offsuit is a reasonable button opening hand three-handed; raising applies pressure to the blinds and takes initiative.

98o from the small blind facing a button open with the big blind left to act is a weak, out-of-position spot; folding is standard.

6-2 offsuit is too weak to defend against a button raise, even with the small blind's dead money.

K5 suited on the button in 3-handed play is a clear open-raise; a standard 2.5bb open steals the blinds often and plays fine postflop in position.

T6 suited is too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise with the big blind still to act.

7♠3♠ is too weak to defend out of position against a 2.5× button raise, even with the discount from the big blind.