Hold'em table

On the button, a small open gives K2 offsuit a chance to win the blinds while keeping the investment modest.

5♥3♣ is too weak to defend out of position against a button min-raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

Getting 3.5:1 on a min-raise from the button, T5 suited is an easy defend from the big blind.

Ten-high with a backdoor flush draw and a gutshot-ish backdoor out of position against the button's range; checking to the preflop raiser is standard here.

The dry queen-high flop favors my preflop raising range. A small continuation bet can fold out missed hands without risking much.

Facing a one-third-pot c-bet, I only need about 20% equity. T5 with a backdoor flush draw and backdoor straight draws, in addition to some ten-high showdown value, is a reasonable defend.

Ten-high with a weak backdoor-dead draw (gutshot to nothing meaningful) on a paired board out of position; checking keeps the pot small and lets me fold to aggression cheaply.

The paired turn gives my king-high hand little reason to build the pot. Checking back preserves its showdown value and lets me see the river.

Ten-high has almost no showdown value, and the button's turn check-back suggests a capped, weak range. The ace on the river is a credible card for me to represent, so a two-thirds-pot bluff should fold out many small pairs and busted hands.

King-high is unlikely to beat a river lead after the opponent called the flop. The price is not good enough to justify calling with only a bluff-catcher.

T6 suited is playable on the button, and raising applies pressure to the blinds while taking advantage of position. A modest 2.5-big-blind open keeps the risk controlled.

Against a wide 3-handed button open, J8s works well as a 3-bet from the small blind. Squeezing avoids playing out of position multiway and uses fold equity, while the suited cards give decent playability when called.

Pocket sevens are strong enough to continue against this three-bet, with a chance to improve to a set and position on the three-bettor postflop.

T6 suited is too weak to continue against a large three-bet plus a cold call, especially with substantial action still possible postflop.

This low, dry board favors my 3-betting range, so a small c-bet can take the pot down often. My J8 has little showdown value, and the bet also sets up barrels on overcard turns.

Top set on this dry board needs little protection. Calling keeps the opponent’s bluffs in and leaves room to win a larger bet on later streets.

J-high with no real draw on a paired board, against a caller range heavy in pocket pairs and sevens that rarely folds to a second barrel. Check and give up to most aggression.

With sevens full of fives, I want to build the pot after the opponent checks. A 2000-chip bet can get value from overpairs while leaving room for a river bet.

J-high with no draw facing a sizable turn bet from a player who called both the 3-bet and the flop c-bet. Their range crushes us and our 25% required equity isn't there.

Three-handed on the button, J4s is a standard open. Its suitedness and positional advantage make stealing the blinds profitable.

8-4 offsuit plays poorly out of position against a button raise, and the big blind can still act.

A♠2♣ has enough equity to defend the big blind against a button open at these pot odds, but it is too weak for a value 3-bet.

With only ace-high and no immediate draw on a paired board, checking keeps the pot small and preserves the option to respond to the button's action.

On a paired board I have a flush draw with an overcard, which is a good hand to c-bet small in position against the big blind's check. A bet of about 36% pot applies pressure and keeps equity if called.

The small bet offers favorable pot odds, and ace-high retains some showdown value with an overcard and backdoor straight and flush possibilities. Raising would risk too much with no made hand.

With only ace-high and no meaningful draw on this paired, king-high board, betting is unlikely to fold out better hands. Check and preserve the option to improve or respond on the river.

Semi-bluff with the nut-ish club draw on a king turn that favors the preflop raiser's range; it can fold out weaker 7x and small pairs while keeping 9 outs if called.

Ace-high has little showdown value on this paired, king-high board, and I have no meaningful draw. The 600-chip turn bet into 1,550 is not worth calling without a stronger hand.

T9 offsuit is strong enough to open on the button three-handed, and a 2.5 big blind raise applies pressure while keeping the pot manageable.

A♠K♣ is a premium hand, and a sizable out-of-position 3-bet builds the pot while putting pressure on the opener and big blind.

85o facing an open and a 3-bet from the small blind is a clear fold; calling 900 more with the original raiser still to act is unprofitable.

T9 offsuit is too weak to defend against a large three-bet, even in position. Folding preserves chips for a better spot.

Q7 offsuit is playable from the button in a three-handed game, so I’ll raise rather than limp and apply pressure to the blinds.

J5s from the small blind facing a button open with the big blind still to act is a marginal hand that plays poorly out of position. Folding is standard; 3-betting it as a bluff is an option but low frequency.

AQ suited is strong against a button opening range. I’m three-betting for value from the big blind.

Q7 offsuit is too weak to continue against a large three-bet from the big blind, especially with no callers to improve the pot odds.

Q6o is a reasonable button open in 3-handed play against two blinds; a small raise to 2.5bb applies steal pressure.

J5 suited has enough potential to defend against a button open at this price, especially with no rake. Calling keeps the pot manageable out of position.

Q♣3♣ is weak, especially multiway, but the 150-chip call is getting a favorable price against the 600-chip pot. I’ll see a flop rather than inflate the pot out of position.

I have no made hand or strong draw on this ace-high flop, and I'm first to act in a three-way pot. Checking avoids investing more chips with little equity.

With Q♣3♣ on A♦2♥T♠, I have no pair or meaningful draw. I’ll take the free option and avoid building the pot.

The ace-high dry board favors my button raising range, and both blinds checked to me. A small one-third-pot c-bet should take the pot often, and my backdoor broadway draw gives the hand some equity if called.

J♣5♣ missed this rainbow flop and has only weak runner-runner prospects. Calling out of position against a bet with another player still to act is not worthwhile.

I have no pair or strong draw on this ace-high board, and the small backdoor possibilities do not justify calling the flop bet.