Hold'em table

Pocket aces are an overwhelming preflop favorite. I raise to build the pot while using a size likely to retain weaker calls.

6-2 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

QQ is well ahead of a button open range in 3-handed play, so I'll 3-bet for value to about 4x out of position.

With pocket aces heads-up against a 3-bet, I want to build the pot and deny equity while retaining maneuverability.

QQ against a wide 3-handed button 4-bet range that includes AK, pocket pairs and bluffs is strong enough to get it in. Calling out of position leaves an awkward SPR of about 1.2, so shoving is simpler and higher EV.

Pocket aces are the strongest possible preflop hand and should call off against the all-in.

On the button, 97 offsuit is playable as a wide three-handed open. Raising to 2.5 big blinds gives me a chance to win the blinds while keeping the pot manageable.

82o in the small blind facing a button open with the big blind still to act is a clear fold.

T5 offsuit is too weak to defend against a button raise out of position, especially with no antes.

K9o is a standard open from the button in 3-handed play, so I'm raising to 2.5bb to take the initiative against the blinds.

2c5h offsuit is far too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise with the big blind still behind.

Q7 offsuit is strong enough to defend the big blind against a 2.5-big-blind button open, given the price and the button's likely wide range.

With bottom pair against the preflop raiser, I prefer to check and keep the pot manageable.

Top pair with a weak kicker on a draw-heavy board, in position against a big blind who checked. A medium c-bet of about 55% pot gets value from draws and worse pairs while protecting my hand."}

Bottom pair with a queen kicker and backdoor flush potential is strong enough to continue against this small flop bet.

My middle pair has showdown value, but a turn bet is unlikely to get enough calls from worse hands. Checking controls the pot and lets me assess the opponent's action.

Top pair with a decent kicker on a draw-heavy board after the big blind checked the turn. A 60% pot bet gets value from weaker kings, 8x and 7x, and makes flush and straight draws pay to see the river.er.

The turn is a blank, and second pair can still be ahead of the button’s draws and bluffs. The pot odds justify calling this bet.

I have two pair, but checking lets the preflop raiser value-bet weaker kings or bluff missed draws without forcing those draws to fold.

K9 is weak top pair, and a bet would mostly get called by better kings while missed draws fold. Checking back realizes showdown value against the busted draws and weaker pairs in the big blind's check-call range.

Open-raise the button with K8 offsuit to leverage position and likely range advantage against the blinds.

AQ offsuit is strong against a button opening range. Raising from the small blind builds value and discourages the big blind from entering cheaply.

Q2 offsuit is far too weak to call a 3-bet facing an open and a squeeze, especially with the original raiser still to act behind.

K8 offsuit is too weak to continue against a large small-blind 3-bet, especially at this sizing.

K9 offsuit is strong enough to open on the button three-handed. A 2.5-big-blind raise pressures the blinds while keeping the pot manageable.

J8o from the small blind facing a button open is too weak to call out of position with the big blind still to act. Folding is standard here.

2c4s offsuit is far too weak to defend against a button raise, especially out of position.

KJo is a strong opening hand on the button in 3-handed play, so I'm raising to 2.5bb to take the initiative.

J7 offsuit is a weak small-blind holding facing a button raise, with the big blind still behind. Folding avoids defending a dominated hand out of position.

Q8 suited is strong enough to defend the big blind against a 2.5bb button raise, especially with 150 to call into a 400-chip pot.

I have a strong flush and open-ended straight draw. Checking keeps weaker hands in and gives me the option to raise if the button bets.

On a monotone board I have the Jd blocker, a gutshot to the Q, two overcards and a weak flush draw, so a small c-bet puts pressure on BB's range. It also keeps my equity going if called.

A queen-high flush draw with two straight draws has strong equity against much of the button's betting range. Raising the small flop bet also gives weaker hands a chance to fold.

I have a J-high flush draw, a gutshot to the queen and an overcard. That is roughly 12 outs against a check-raise, and calling 620 into 1530 only needs about 29% equity, so the call is fine even though my flush isn't the nuts.

I have a strong flush and straight draw, but the king favors the preflop raiser. Checking may let me see the river for free and avoids building the pot while I'm still drawing.

The BB check-raised a monotone flop, so they are strong. Our top pair with a Jd flush draw and a Q gutshot does well by taking a free card and controlling the pot rather than betting into a likely flush or set.

I have a queen-high flush on a blank river. A 1400-chip value bet can get called by straights, sets, and strong pairs without overcommitting against a higher flush.

Top pair (kings) is a bluff-catcher that beats missed diamond and straight draws. The flop check-raise followed by a turn check suggests a range that includes plenty of busted draws, and I only need about 28% equity to call. Raising would only get called by better hands.