Hold'em table

On the button in a three-handed, rake-free game, I can open a wider range. A small raise gives this marginal hand a chance to win the blinds while keeping the risk modest.

AKs from the small blind facing a button open is a clear value 3-bet. Going to about 4x gives the right size when out of position with the big blind still to act.

7♥3♣ is far too weak to continue against a button raise and a substantial small-blind 3-bet, especially out of position.

7-5 offsuit is too weak to defend against a large three-bet, even in position.

T8s on the button in 3-handed play is a clear open; a 2.5bb raise pressures both blinds.

A3 offsuit is weak from the small blind against a button raise, and calling leaves me out of position with the big blind still to act. I’ll avoid investing further with a hand that is not a strong 3-bet candidate.

Offsuit 6-4 plays poorly out of position against a button raise, so I’ll give up the big blind.

J7 offsuit is a reasonable button open three-handed, and raising takes advantage of position while putting pressure on the blinds. A modest 2.5× raise avoids bloating the pot with a marginal hand.

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

Getting 150 to win 400 against a wide 3-handed button range, 53o has enough equity and playability to defend by calling.

With an open-ended straight draw plus a backdoor flush draw out of position, I'll check to the preflop raiser and plan to check-raise or call a c-bet.

I have no pair or meaningful backdoor draw on a low, connected flop that can favor the caller. I’ll take the free card rather than bluff into their range.

With an open-ended straight draw (any A or 6) against a button who checked back the flop and is likely capped, a turn semi-bluff of about two-thirds pot can win the pot now. It also builds the pot for when the draw hits.

I have only jack-high with no realistic draw, and calling 360 would require too much equity against a turn bet on this board.

On the button in a three-handed pot, 9-7 offsuit is playable as a small open-raise. Position gives it a chance to win the blinds or play a manageable pot postflop.

72o in the small blind facing a button open with the big blind still to act is a clear fold.

T7 offsuit is a marginal defend, but the button’s small open and favorable pot odds make calling from the big blind preferable to folding. I avoid 3-betting this weak, poorly connected hand.

I have only a gutshot and a backdoor flush draw on a paired board, so betting has little value; I’ll take the free card.

I have an open-ended straight draw and can make a small continuation bet to apply pressure while keeping the pot manageable.

T-high has no pair or immediate draw, and the small bet still charges too much against the raiser’s likely value and protection range. Preserve chips rather than float with limited equity.

KQs on the button in 3-handed play is a strong open, so I'm raising to 2.5bb for value and position.

Calling is reasonable with a small pair at this price and deep stacks, preserving the chance to flop a set without inflating the pot out of position.

Q6 offsuit is easily dominated in this three-way pot and plays poorly out of position against a raise and a call.

With a small underpair and no diamond on a connected monotone flop, I have little value or bluff equity. I’ll check and avoid building the pot.

Without a diamond on a monotone board, KQ has overcards plus a gutshot and good equity to realize, but a bet would mostly fold out worse hands and get called by better ones. Checking back in position takes a free card and keeps the pot small.

With only a small pair and no diamond on a four-diamond board, betting offers little value and risks a raise. Check and see the river.

With four diamonds on board and no diamond in hand, K-high has little showdown value, and a bluff would rarely fold out any diamond. Checking takes a free river card for the non-diamond jack that makes our straight.

My small pair has little value on a four-diamond board, and the opponent may have a diamond after checking through. I’ll take the free showdown rather than bluff without a useful diamond blocker.

King-high has a little showdown value against busted hands, and a river bluff on a four-flush board isn't credible after we checked twice. Opponents' pairs and any diamond will call, so I'm checking it down.

K♠8♠ is a playable button hand in a three-handed pot, and raising can win the blinds while taking initiative. A 2.5bb raise is a reasonable size.

7-5 offsuit is too weak to call a button raise from the small blind, especially with the big blind still to act.

Getting about 27% pot odds in the big blind against a wide button open, so J6o is a standard defend. Calling is better than folding or 3-betting.

A gutshot with jack-high out of position against the preflop raiser on a board that favors them; checking keeps the pot small and lets me see their action before continuing.

I have no pair and only limited backdoor potential on a connected flop. I’ll take the free turn rather than bluff into the big blind’s range.

Open-ended straight draw (any 8 or K) after the button checked back the flop, which caps their range. A semi-bluff of about 64% pot can win now and still has equity when called.

I have only a gutshot to a king-high straight, and the connected board plus the turn bet make a call without a pair or stronger draw unprofitable.