Hold'em table

A6 suited is a strong button open three-handed, and a 2.5-big-blind raise builds the pot while retaining position.

9-4 suited is too weak to call a button raise out of position from the small blind with the big blind still to act.

KTs is a strong suited big-blind defense against a button open, and calling costs only 150 into a 400-chip pot. Calling preserves weaker hands in the opponent’s range while retaining good straight and flush potential.

King-ten has two overcards and a backdoor flush draw, but no made hand on this connected flop. Checking keeps the pot controlled out of position and preserves the option to respond to the preflop raiser's bet.

I have an open-ended straight draw and an ace overcard. A 350-chip continuation bet can win the pot now while building value when I improve.

King-high with only overcards and backdoor draws is too weak to continue against this sizable flop bet. Out of position, we will struggle to realize enough equity to justify calling.

T2 offsuit is a very weak holding even on the button in 3-handed play; calling 100 chips preflop has negative expected value against the blinds' ranges.

K5 suited is strong enough to open against the big blind after the button folds. Raising to 3 big blinds pressures the blind while retaining playable equity when called.

Q3 offsuit is a marginal but reasonable defense against a small-blind raise. Calling lets me play the rest of the hand in position.

This ace-high flop favors my preflop raising range, so a small continuation bet can pressure the big blind’s unpaired hands. K5 suited also has a backdoor diamond draw and can improve to a pair.

Q3 has no pair, club draw, or immediate straight draw on this A-T-4 flop. Out of position against a preflop raiser, calling the 200-chip bet is unlikely to be profitable.

AJs is a strong button opening hand three-handed. Raising to 2.5 big blinds builds value and pressures the blinds while retaining positional advantage.

JTs plays well against a button opening range. Raising from the small blind puts pressure on the opener and avoids giving the big blind a cheap entry.

T8 offsuit in the big blind is far too weak to call a 10bb three-bet for 900 more; folding preserves stack.

AJs is strong enough to defend against a small-blind three-bet, especially with position and suited playability. Calling keeps weaker hands in their range and avoids inflating the pot against hands that dominate us.

This dry ace-high flop favors my three-bet range. A small continuation bet can fold out weaker unpaired hands while limiting the cost when called.

Top pair with a jack kicker and a backdoor diamond draw is a clear call against this small continuation bet. Raising would tend to fold weaker hands while isolating stronger aces and sets.

The turn gives me a strong flush draw, but the connected card also improves parts of my opponent's flop-calling range. Checking keeps the pot manageable and lets me see how they respond.

Top pair has solid showdown value, but worse hands may not call a turn bet often enough against the preflop three-bettor. Checking controls the pot against stronger aces and keeps weaker hands and potential river bluffs in play.

The river missed my flush draw, but this blank is unlikely to make a bluff credible after the turn checked through. Checking avoids risking more chips and may win against some missed draws.

After two checks, a small river bet can get thin value from weaker aces and pocket pairs. One-third pot targets those bluff-catching hands without overcommitting against stronger aces.

I missed my draw and have only jack-high. Raising would represent a narrow value range after checking both the turn and river, so folding is better than bluffing.

On the button in a three-handed pot, J5 offsuit is a marginal but playable open. A small raise uses position while limiting the investment.

Q7 offsuit is too weak to call a button raise from the small blind out of position; realization will be poor against a wide but ahead range.

Nine-four offsuit is too weak to defend against the button raise, even with favorable pot odds. Its poor playability out of position makes folding preferable to calling or bluff-raising.

A9o is a strong hand 3-handed on the button with position on both blinds. Raising to 2.5bb applies pressure and builds value versus weaker blind ranges.

54 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a 2.5bb button raise, especially with the big blind still to act. Folding avoids investing more with poor equity realization out of position.

7-2 offsuit is too weak to defend against a button raise, especially when I would be out of position postflop.

Pocket aces are the strongest starting hand. Opening to 2.5 big blinds builds a value pot while encouraging calls or reraises from weaker hands.

Nine-seven offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

J5 offsuit is too weak to defend the big blind out of position against a button raise, despite the small call size.