Hold'em table

Queen-ten suited is strong enough to open from the button in a three-handed game. A 2.5x raise builds the pot while keeping weaker hands in.

T6o is too weak to defend out of position against a button open.

A8 offsuit is strong enough to defend the big blind against a button raise, and calling keeps weaker hands in while avoiding an unnecessary out-of-position 3-bet.

A-high has little showdown value on this connected, two-spade flop, and I have no meaningful immediate draw. Check and preserve the option to continue if the action stays small.

I have a flush draw plus an open-ended straight draw on a checked flop, so a half-pot continuation bet applies pressure and can get folds or build the pot with strong equity.

A-high has no pair or meaningful draw on this coordinated flop, and calling the sizable bet is unlikely to be profitable.

Opening from the button with an Ace in 3-handed play is standard. Raising to 2.5bb to steal the blinds or play in position.

Nines are strong against a button open and benefit from taking initiative; a sizable three-bet also discourages the big blind from coming along.

Queen-three offsuit is too weak to continue against a raise and a three-bet. Folding avoids putting more chips in with a dominated, unconnected hand.

A6o is too weak to continue against an out-of-position 3-bet to 8.5bb, so folding is the standard play.

T♠8♠ is a playable button hand in a three-handed game, so I open for value and initiative with a small raise to 2.5 big blinds.

Q2o is too weak to continue out of position against a button open, especially with the big blind still to act. Folding saves chips for better spots.

Holding 92o in the big blind against a button open is an easy fold out of position.

Ace-three offsuit is a reasonable button open in three-handed play; a small raise takes the initiative with position rather than calling and inviting a squeeze.

Facing a 2.5x button open out of position with QJo, folding is the standard play to avoid difficult postflop situations and the risk of a squeeze from the big blind.

The call is only 150 into a 400-chip pot, and 8-6 has enough potential to defend the big blind against a button raise. Raising would be too ambitious with this weak offsuit hand.

I have no pair, but retain a gutshot straight draw and a backdoor club flush draw. With no bet to call, checking keeps the pot small and lets me see the turn.

Ace-high with no pair or draw on a king-high rainbow flop; checking back realizes showdown value without bloating the pot.

I have no made hand and only a very weak backdoor straight possibility. Checking avoids building the pot with little equity.

Ace-high with no pair or draw on a coordinated K-Q-T board has little showdown value and poor equity if called, so I take the free card rather than bluff into a range that checked twice but can still have pairs.

With only eight-high and no realistic showdown value, I’ll make a small river bluff after the passive line. The paired ten lets me credibly represent trips or a stronger made hand while risking relatively little.

Ace-high with no pair loses to any made hand, and a small river bet after two checked streets is not a profitable bluff-catch. Folding avoids putting more chips in with almost no showdown value.

95o is too weak to open from the button even in 3-handed play.

T5 suited is weak, but completing costs only 50 chips with a chance to see a flop against the big blind. I avoid building a pot out of position.

A3 offsuit is too weak to raise out of position against a completed small blind, and checking is free, so I take the flop.

I have a weak bottom pair on a coordinated, two-diamond flop and would rather control the pot than bet for thin value or protection.

Ace-high with no pair or draw has some showdown value in a limped pot, so I check back rather than bluff into the small blind's check.

I have a weak bottom pair on a board with overcards, so I’ll take the free river rather than build the pot.

Ace-high with no pair or draw has little reason to build the pot after seat_3 checked the turn. Checking keeps the pot small and realizes any showdown value for free.

I have a modest pair with showdown value after the opponent checked through the earlier streets. Checking avoids risking a bet that is likely to be called by better hands.

Top pair on a dry board against a player who checked every street; a minimum bet can get called by worse pairs and queens while risking little.

The river ace strongly improves the big blind’s likely delayed value range, and my pair of fives is a weak bluff-catcher. I’ll fold rather than pay off a likely ace or better pair.

K3 suited is a reasonable button open in a three-handed game; raising applies pressure to the blinds while keeping the sizing modest.

AQo is ahead of a button open and plays well as a 3-bet from the small blind. Raising to 900 applies pressure out of position and builds the pot with a strong hand.

Holding 3s 2h facing an open and a 3-bet, this is an easy fold.

K♦3♦ is too weak to continue against a large three-bet; its suitedness does not make the call profitable at this price, especially with domination risk.