Hold'em table

74o out of position against two players is a clear fold; not worth 100 to see a flop.

With AK offsuit and only the big blind left after the button folded, I raise for value and to take initiative. A smaller raise keeps worse hands in while building the pot.

84 offsuit is too weak to defend profitably against a 3bb small-blind raise, despite having position. Its poor playability also makes it an unattractive three-bet bluff.

On the button in a 3-handed game, Q8o is worth an open-raise to apply pressure and take the blinds rather than limp with a weak offsuit hand. A 2.5x raise keeps the risk controlled and can fold to further aggression.

95 suited is too weak to defend profitably against a 2.5bb button raise from the small blind, with poor position and the big blind still to act.

K3o is a weak hand facing a 2.5x raise out of position; folding is clearly best.

With only the blinds left to act, 97 offsuit is a reasonable marginal button open in a rake-free game. A small raise leverages position and gives an economical chance to steal the blinds.

7c3d is a weak hand facing a 2.25x raise from the button; folding is clearly best.

J5o is too weak to continue against a button raise, even getting 3:1, because it is dominated and I will be out of position postflop.

62 offsuit is one of the worst hands; folding from the button against two players is clearly best.

J9o is playable in the small blind against the big blind; calling 50 closes the action cheaply and avoids bloating the pot out of position with a marginal hand.

With 6-4 offsuit and no additional cost to see the flop, checking preserves chips while realizing equity in position against the small blind.

I have only overcards and a weak backdoor straight draw on a coordinated flop, so checking to control the pot is best.

Bottom two pair is strong enough to bet for value against top pair and draws. Betting three-quarters pot charges the many straight and flush draws on this coordinated board.

J-high with no pair or strong draw on a coordinated board; facing a bet, folding avoids chasing with weak equity out of position.

On the button in a 3-handed game, 65o is a reasonable speculative open to apply pressure on the blinds and take the initiative with position. A 2.5x raise is small enough to control risk while giving me a chance to win the pot preflop or play a cheap pot in position.

53 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a 2.5bb button raise, especially with the big blind still to act. Its poor equity realization out of position makes folding preferable to calling or bluff-raising.

T2d offsuit is far too weak to call a 2.5x raise heads-up; folding is clearly best.

A2 suited is a profitable button open three-handed, with an ace blocker and nut-flush potential. Raising to 2.5 big blinds pressures the blinds while preserving postflop flexibility in position.

T5 offsuit is a weak hand facing a 2.5x raise from the button; folding is clearly best.

KJo has enough equity against a likely button opening range to continue, and calling 150 into a 400 pot is profitable with position disadvantage but acceptable. I'll take a flop rather than inflate the pot out of position.

With second pair on an ace-high flop and no bet to call, checking controls the pot and avoids bloating it against the preflop raiser.

Top pair with the weakest kicker has solid showdown value but is not strong enough to build a large pot. Checking back controls the pot, protects my checking range, and preserves the option to call turn bets or value-bet later.

I have two pair (jacks and nines) on a paired board, and the preflop raiser checked back the flop. Betting for value and protection is best here.

Our two pair has enough showdown value to call against a turn probe that can include draws, weaker pairs, and bluffs. Raising would mostly fold worse hands and invite action from trips or stronger aces.

With a marginal pair of jacks on a scary river board and no flush, I prefer checking to control the pot and realize showdown value rather than betting into a range that often contains an ace, a nine, or a completed flush.

Our two pair has reasonable showdown value, but the river completes flush and straight draws, and worse hands are unlikely to call a meaningful bet. Checking avoids reopening the action against trips or stronger aces.