Hold'em table

Opening QTs on the button is a standard value raise in 3-handed play. A 2.5bb sizing applies pressure while maintaining good pot odds.

T6 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a 2.5bb button raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

A8o is too weak and easily dominated to continue out of position against a button open, so folding preserves chips.

A6 offsuit is a profitable button open in a three-handed game. A small raise applies pressure while keeping weaker hands in the pot.

Pocket nines are ahead of a button open in three-handed play, so I 3-bet to 800 to build the pot and avoid a multiway flop out of position.

Holding Q3o in the big blind against an open and a 3-bet is an easy fold.

A6 offsuit is marginal against a 3-bet, but the price is reasonable and I have position postflop. Calling keeps the pot manageable without turning this hand into a costly bluff.

As the preflop 3-bettor I c-bet small on this dry ace-high flop to represent Ax and deny equity, while keeping the pot manageable with a vulnerable overpair.

I have top pair on a relatively dry flop and am getting a favorable price. Calling keeps weaker hands and bluffs in while avoiding an unnecessary raise with a weak kicker.

Pocket nines are a medium pair on an ace-high turn after a flop call, so I am often behind and prefer pot control rather than betting into a likely ace or draw. Checking keeps the pot manageable with deep stacks.

I have top pair plus a gutshot to the wheel, and the turn check gives me a chance to get value from weaker pairs while charging draws. A modest bet limits the cost if Villain has a stronger hand.

Pocket nines are behind many ace-high value hands, but the 900 bet offers about 4-to-1, so a call is justified against bluffs and worse pairs. Raising would only fold out hands I beat.

Pocket nines have some showdown value but are behind many Ace and ten hands on this river. With no bet facing me, checking is better than turning the hand into a bluff.

A6 has some showdown value, but the preflop 3-bet and turn call leave many better aces and stronger hands in the opponent’s range. Checking avoids value-owning myself while preserving a chance to win against missed draws or weaker pairs.

T8s is playable from the button in a three-handed pot, so I open to 2.5bb to take the initiative rather than flat the big blind.

Qd 2s is unplayable trash from the small blind against a button open raise.

9♠-high offsuit is too weak and poorly playable out of position against the button’s raise, so I’ll avoid calling even with the pot odds.

Opening from the button with an Ace in 3-handed play to apply pressure on the blinds.

QJo is strong enough to continue against a button min-raise, and calling keeps the pot manageable out of position without risking a large 3-bet. I have favorable pot odds, though the big blind is still behind.

68o is too weak to continue out of position against a raise and a call; folding is the highest-EV option.

I have an open-ended straight draw but no made hand, so I’ll check and see how the preflop raiser responds.

I have Ace-high with some showdown value on a K-T-7 board; checking back keeps the pot controlled and allows me to see a turn card in position.

I have a pair of queens plus an open-ended straight draw, so a modest turn bet can get value and deny equity while keeping the pot manageable.

We hold ace-high with only a gutshot straight draw (four outs) facing a half-pot bet on the turn, lacking the pot odds and implied odds to profitably continue.

On the button three-handed, 9♣5♠ is weak but playable as an open-raise; raising gives me initiative and a chance to win the blinds preflop.

T5s is too weak to call a button open from the small blind, especially with the big blind still to act. Folding avoids playing a dominated suited hand out of position.

A3o plays poorly out of position against a button open, with significant reverse implied odds, making folding the standard disciplined play.

On the button in a three-handed pot, K3s is playable as a steal with suited equity, so I open to 2.5bb rather than limp or fold.

AQo is a premium holding in 3-handed play; 3-betting out of position against the button open for value and initiative.

With 3♠2♥, I have a very weak hand and face a large 3-bet to 10 big blinds. Folding avoids putting more chips in out of position.

K3s is too weak to continue against a 10bb three-bet; calling needs too much equity and a four-bet bluff is poorly placed.