Hold'em table

8-2 offsuit is too weak to open profitably from the button against two players.

T5 suited is playable heads-up at this price; completing the small blind keeps the pot small with a hand that benefits from seeing a flop.

79o is too weak to raise out of position against a limp, and checking is free, so I take the flop.

I have a weak bottom pair on a two-spade board, so checking keeps the pot small and lets me respond to the big blind’s action.

Middle pair with a weak kicker on an ace-high flop; opponent checked, so I take the free card rather than inflate the pot.

I have only a weak pair with little improvement potential, so I’ll take the free card rather than build the pot.

I have a weak pair of nines with an ace on board and no strong draw. Opponent checked, so checking keeps the pot small and realizes equity cheaply.

With only a weak pair of fives on a three-spade board, a value bet is unlikely to be called by worse. I’ll take the free showdown after the checks.

I have only a weak pair of nines on a three-spade board with an ace and king, and the pot was checked down. Checking for a free showdown is better than thin value or a bluff.

KTo is a strong button hand in a three-player game, so I’ll open for a standard raise to 2.5 big blinds.

45o is too weak to continue against a button open; folding the small blind saves chips.

The small blind's dead money improves the price, and Q4 offsuit has enough equity against a likely wide button opening range to defend the big blind.

Two pair is strong on this dry flop. Checking to the preflop raiser gives them a chance to bet weaker hands or bluffs.

A small continuation bet can fold out weaker hands, and I have a gutshot to a broadway straight if called. The sizing keeps the bluff inexpensive.

Bottom two pair is strong against many Ax hands. I’m raising for value and to charge hands that can improve on the turn.

I have only a gutshot straight draw and no pair, so calling the raise is too costly against the pot odds. A bluff-raise would be an unnecessary risk here.

J7 suited is a reasonable button open in three-handed play, so I raise to 2.5bb rather than limp or fold.

Eight-four 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 against the button’s raise, despite the favorable price; it will realize equity poorly out of position.

Nine-seven suited is a reasonable button open three-handed, and a 2.5-big-blind raise keeps the risk modest.

98 suited is a playable hand against a button open, and the price is reasonable. Call rather than inflate the pot out of position with the big blind still to act.

A7o is too weak to continue multiway out of position against a button raise and a small-blind call; it is often dominated and realizes poorly.

With middle pair and a weak kicker on a queen-high, two-spade board, checking keeps the pot controlled and avoids leading into the preflop raiser’s range.

Middle pair is often ahead of draws and weaker pairs. A small bet gets value and protection while limiting the cost when called by a queen.

A small bet gives favorable pot odds, and middle pair is often good against a continuation bet. Calling keeps weaker hands and bluffs in while avoiding an unnecessary raise with a marginal hand.

The ace on the turn is favorable to the preflop raiser, and my pair of nines with an eight kicker is too weak to value-bet. I’ll check and avoid inflating the pot.

My pair of nines has showdown value, but the ace and third spade make a value bet unlikely to get called by worse hands. I’ll check and control the pot.

With only a weak pair of nines on a three-spade board, betting risks getting called mainly by better hands. I’ll take the free showdown after the turn checked through.

My pair of nines has showdown value, but a river bet is unlikely to get called by many worse hands on this board. Checking avoids a costly raise from a stronger hand.

With a small pair on the button in a three-handed pot, I prefer an opening raise to take initiative and gain fold equity while keeping the sizing modest.

T4o is too weak to continue against a button open; folding the small blind saves chips.

43 offsuit plays poorly out of position against a button raise, so I’ll give up the big blind.

Pocket nines are ahead of a random button range, so I open to 3x rather than flat the big blind and give the blinds a cheap flop.

4-2 offsuit is too weak to defend the small blind against a three-big-blind raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

J5 offsuit is marginal but has enough equity against a button opening range to defend the big blind at this price. Calling keeps the pot manageable with a dominated, low-playability hand.

Check out of position with a low club draw; this keeps the pot controlled and lets me respond to the button’s action.

Pocket nines have some showdown value but are behind aces, kings, and club draws on this monotone board. With no club and the pot checked to me, checking back avoids bloating a spot where I am often dominated.

I have a strong flush draw plus a gutshot, giving useful equity if called. A modest turn bet also applies pressure after the flop checked through.

Pocket nines are an underpair to three overcards on a three-flush board, and a turn bet from the big blind is too strong to continue.