Hold'em table

QJs is a strong, playable button opening hand in a three-handed game. Raising applies pressure to the blinds and builds initiative.

T6 offsuit is too weak to defend against the button’s raise, especially out of position with the big blind still to act.

KJo has enough equity against a button open to defend the big blind, and calling closes the action with a good price. I prefer keeping the pot controlled out of position rather than bloating it with a marginal offsuit hand.

I have overcards and a backdoor flush draw but no made hand out of position; checking keeps the pot controlled and lets me see a free turn.

Betting our strong queen-high flush draw in position applies pressure while retaining substantial equity when called.

I have two overcards and a backdoor spade draw, and the pot odds are favorable at 350 to win 900. Calling closes the flop action and lets me evaluate the turn without over-committing.

Semi-bluffing with a K-high flush draw and overcards; betting can fold out better hands and builds the pot if I hit.

With only queen-high and a weak gutshot on a three-spade board, facing a turn bet after the opponent called the flop is not a profitable continue.

T5 suited is playable on the button three-handed, so I’ll open-raise to apply pressure while retaining position.

A3o is too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act. Folding avoids playing a dominated hand out of position.

Defend the big blind heads-up with a connected hand at a favorable price against a button min-raise.

This board heavily favors the preflop raiser, and 6-high has little immediate value. Checking preserves flexibility and may allow a cheap realization of equity.

I have no pair or meaningful draw on this paired ace-high board, so I’ll take the free card rather than bluff into the big blind’s check.

The checked flop suggests the button often lacks an ace or queen, while our kicker has little showdown value. A modest turn probe can fold out many unpaired broadway holdings and small pairs.

I have no meaningful draw, and my ten-high kicker is unlikely to beat a turn bet on this paired board. Calling would be unprofitable.}

A8 suited is a strong heads-up blind hand and can profitably realize equity after completing the small blind.

With a very weak, offsuit hand and no raise to call, checking takes the free flop without inflating the pot.

I have an open-ended straight draw with ace-high and can profitably apply pressure to the big blind's checking range. A modest continuation bet also builds a pot when I improve.

Bottom pair with a weak kicker is unlikely to have the equity needed to call this sizeable bet on a connected flop. I’ll avoid investing more without a stronger draw or improvement.

32 offsuit is a very weak button hand and not worth entering against two blinds at this stack depth.

With a reasonably connected hand heads-up against the big blind, completing is preferable to folding; raising risks bloating the pot out of position.

I have a strong premium hand (AKo) and only the small blind limped in. Raising isolates the limper and builds value while I likely have the best hand.

87 offsuit is too weak to defend the small blind against a sizable raise, especially out of position.

K2 suited is a reasonable button open three-handed; raising applies pressure to the blinds and gives me initiative.

A4o is a weak offsuit ace out of position facing a button raise with the big blind still to act, so folding avoids dominated spots.

T3 offsuit is too weak to defend against the button raise, especially out of position.

J8s on the button is a reasonable steal hand in a 3-handed game; raising applies pressure and lets me play in position if called.

54 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a 3bb button open, especially with the big blind still behind.

K♠J♠ is a strong suited hand for defending the big blind against a button open, and calling keeps weaker hands in while avoiding an unnecessary large 3-bet out of position.

I have a powerful combo draw with the nut flush draw and an open-ended straight draw, so checking lets the button continuation-bet and gives me the option to respond with strong equity.

I raised preflop and have position with a gutshot and backdoor diamond draw; betting the flop can take it down or set up a strong turn.

I have a strong combo draw with a flush draw and an open-ended straight draw, giving substantial equity plus fold equity. Raise to apply pressure while building the pot when I improve.

I have an open-ended straight draw and am getting good pot odds to call. Calling in position lets me realize my equity without overcommitting against a likely strong check-raise range.

The turn gives me a strong king-high flush, so I’ll make a modest value bet that can be called by weaker made hands or lower flushes. The ace of spades remains a concern, so I’m avoiding a larger sizing.

I have only J-high with a gutshot and no spade on a three-flush board; seat_2 has shown strength with a flop check-raise and turn lead, so continuing would be negative EV.