Showdown Hold'em table

Ace-high qualifies for a preflop raise under the optimal reference strategy. The 4x raise maximizes expected chips for this hand.

3h2h is below the profitable preflop raise range; checking preserves the option to continue based on the flop.

I have no pair or meaningful draw, only a backdoor heart flush possibility, so investing a 2x raise is not worthwhile.

My best hand is only the board’s ace-high hand, so I can at best tie if the dealer also plays the board and cannot win. Raising would add risk without any chance of improving my outcome.

A7 offsuit is in the preflop raise range; raising 4x maximizes value with an ace-high hand.

The reference preflop strategy raises 4x with any ace; A♦4♣ qualifies.

Pocket eights are comfortably within the preflop raising range; raising 4x maximizes value with this strong pair.

Ace-ten qualifies for the preflop raise range, so I raise 4x to maximize expected value.

9♦3♠ is a weak, offsuit hand outside the recommended preflop raising range, so I’ll avoid risking a raise and see the flop.

A single pair of nines with a weak kicker is vulnerable to a jack or stronger holdings. Checking preserves the option to fold or make the smaller river raise after seeing the full board.

My two pair (nines and fives) beats a dealer holding only one pair, and the raise risks just 10 additional chips. Folding forfeits the ante and blind, so raising has better expected value even though some dealer holdings beat me.

7-2 offsuit is well below the recommended preflop raising range, so I’ll avoid committing a play bet and evaluate the flop.

I have no pair and only remote runner-runner straight possibilities, so a flop raise is too costly. Checking preserves the option to make a better-informed river decision.

The board gives the dealer at least a pair of eights, and my 7 kicker is weak. A raise is unlikely to win often enough to justify risking the additional play bet, so folding limits the loss to the posted ante and blind.

The published optimal preflop range includes any ace, so A-2 qualifies for a 4x raise.

T-5 offsuit is well below the profitable preflop raising range; check to preserve the option to act on the flop.

I have two pair on the flop, which is a strong hand with good chances to remain ahead at showdown.

K6 offsuit meets the preflop raise threshold; raising 4x takes the available positive-value action.

T9 offsuit is below the recommended preflop raising range, so checking avoids committing a larger bet with a marginal hand.

Two pair is a strong flop hand with substantial value against dealer holdings, despite possible ace-containing hands and straight draws. Raise 2x rather than give up value by checking.

JTo is included in the reference preflop raise range, so raising 4x is the indicated positive-EV action.

8-2 offsuit is well below the preflop raising range, so checking avoids risking a larger play bet with a weak starting hand.

I have no pair and only a remote straight possibility, so raising would risk chips with a weak hand. Checking preserves the option to make a smaller river decision.

My pair of twos beats a dealer hand that does not qualify, and the chance of that outcome makes the extra play bet worthwhile despite likely losing to higher pairs.

5♣2♥ is well below the preflop raising range; checking avoids committing a play bet with a weak hand.

My pair of fours has weak kickers, so raising now is unlikely to be profitable. Checking preserves the option to reassess after the turn and river.

My two pair beats the dealer unless they have a pair-making or higher combination; raising is substantially better than folding, which forfeits both the ante and blind.

6♦3♣ is well below the preflop raising range, so checking avoids risking a large play bet with a weak hand.

With only a weak backdoor straight/flush possibility and no pair, raising risks extra chips without enough showdown strength. I’ll check and preserve the option to act on the river.

My 6 completes a 6-to-10 straight, which beats nearly all dealer hands. A dealer jack can make a higher straight, but that risk is outweighed by the strong hand’s value at showdown.

The reference strategy raises 4x with any ace; A♠3♣ qualifies.

K6 suited is within the stated preflop 4x raising range (K2s or better).

9♥6♥ is below the recommended preflop raising range, so checking avoids committing a large raise with a weak hand.

With only a weak kicker to the board’s pair of aces, I’m likely behind many dealer holdings. Checking preserves the option to fold or make a small raise after the river.

The board’s four diamonds make any dealer holding a diamond a flush, and many other holdings beat my weak pair of aces with a 9 kicker. Raising is unlikely to outperform folding.

QTo is within the recommended preflop raising range, so raising 4x maximizes expected value.

Pocket kings are an exceptionally strong starting hand, well above the threshold for a preflop raise; take the maximum raise.

K9 offsuit is within the recommended preflop raising range, so I raise 4x rather than checking.

T9 suited is playable but below the preflop raise threshold; checking preserves the option to make a better-informed raise after the flop.

Top two pair on the flop is a strong hand with good improvement potential, so raising maximizes value against the dealer.

T5 suited is below the recommended preflop raising range, so checking avoids committing a large play bet with a weak starting hand.

I already have two pair, tens and eights, which is strong against most dealer holdings. Raising now gets value before the river can change the hand.

QTo is within the published preflop raise range (Q8o+), so raising maximizes expected value against the dealer.

Pocket aces are the strongest starting hand, so raising 4x maximizes expected value.

Q6 offsuit is below the preflop raising range, so checking avoids committing a larger bet with a weak hand.

Q-high has no made hand or immediate draw; the backdoor club draw and chance to improve make checking preferable to committing a flop raise. I can reassess after the turn and river.

My 8-high flush is likely to hold up: the dealer needs a higher club to beat it, and most holdings without one lose to my flush.

T7 offsuit is below the recommended preflop raising range. Checking avoids committing a larger play bet and preserves the option to act on the flop.

Top pair with a decent kicker is strong enough to commit on the flop; raising now maximizes value against weaker hands and draws.

7♠8♣ is below the recommended preflop raising range. Checking preserves the option to raise later if the board improves the hand.

Two pair is a strong made hand on this connected flop, and raising now gets value while protecting against turn and river draws.

QJo is above the published preflop threshold of Q8o+, so raising 4x has positive expected value.