Hold'em table

QJo is a clear opening hand on the button in 3-handed play. A standard 2.5bb open takes the initiative and applies pressure to the blinds.

7-high offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against an early/button open in this short format.

7-2 offsuit is too weak to defend the big blind against a 2.5-big-blind raise.

5-4 offsuit is too weak to open profitably from the button in this shallow-blind structure.

With J5 offsuit heads-up against the big blind, completing for 50 chips is inexpensive. Raising would build a larger pot out of position with a marginal hand.

T7o in the big blind against a small-blind limp is a marginal hand, so I'll take the free flop and play in position. Raising would mostly get called or re-raised by stronger hands.

J-high has little immediate equity on this flop, and a bet is unlikely to fold out many better hands. Checking keeps the pot small.

We have an open-ended straight draw plus position in a limped pot after the small blind checked. A small semi-bluff can take the pot now and builds it for when we hit.”}

Jack-high has no pair or immediate draw, and calling this flop bet out of position is unlikely to be profitable.

K4 offsuit is a reasonable button open three-handed. Raising gives me a chance to win the blinds and keeps the initiative in position.

85s from the small blind against a button open, with the big blind still to act, is out of position and plays poorly. A fold is standard here; 3-betting as a bluff is possible but marginal.

AKo is a premium hand heads-up against the button open; 3-betting for value and initiative is preferred.

K4 offsuit is too weak to continue against a large big-blind three-bet, especially with substantial stacks behind.

64o is below a solid button opening range even three-handed, and it plays poorly against both blinds when called or 3-bet.

A9 offsuit is well ahead of the big blind's random defending range after the button folds. Raising builds value and leverages the heads-up initiative.

Q8 offsuit is strong enough to defend the big blind against a small-blind raise, especially with position after the flop.

I retain the preflop range advantage heads-up and can pressure unpaired holdings with a small continuation bet while preserving flexibility with ace-high.

Q-high has little chance to improve on this dry king-high flop and no useful backdoor draw. Calling the bet is unlikely to be profitable.

KQs is a strong button opening hand three-handed and benefits from taking initiative. A 2.5bb open applies pressure while retaining maneuverability.

Q2 offsuit is too weak to call a button raise from the small blind, especially with the big blind still to act.

T8s in the big blind facing a 2.5x button open is getting great odds (150 to win 400), and suited connectors play well postflop, so calling is clearly profitable.

We have an open-ended straight draw out of position against the preflop raiser. Checking keeps our range protected and sets up a check-raise if they c-bet.

Betting our nut flush draw with two overcards applies pressure and builds a pot while retaining strong equity when called.

T8 gives an open-ended straight draw (4 or 9) on 6-5-7, with overcard and backdoor equity. That is plenty to continue against a 400 bet into 550. Calling keeps the pot controlled while realizing that equity in position-disadvantaged spots.

We have an open-ended straight draw (a 9 or 4 completes it), and the Qd helps the preflop raiser's range. Checking to see whether he bets again keeps the pot controlled while giving us the option to check-call or check-raise.

I have top pair with a strong kicker and a club blocker. A medium turn value bet targets weaker queens, pairs, and draws while retaining manageable risk on this connected board.

I have an open-ended straight draw (any 4 or 9 makes the straight) against a modest 1/3-pot bet. With deep stacks, the implied odds make calling better than folding or raising.

The T-high straight is the stone nuts: no flush or full house is possible. I'm leading for value because villain has barreled and can call with Qx, overpairs, and weaker straights.

Top pair with a strong kicker is worth defending at these pot odds. Villain can lead worse queens and missed draws alongside their made straights and two-pair hands.

On the button in a three-handed pot, I’ll open this suited hand at a modest size and use position after the flop.

A6o in the small blind against a button open to 2.2bb is a decent 3-bet candidate. The ace blocker helps, and calling out of position with the big blind behind is unattractive, so I'll 3-bet to 9bb mixing aggression rather than flatting."}

8-high offsuit is far too weak to defend against an open and a large 3-bet from the big blind.

Nine-four suited is too weak to defend against a large three-bet, even with position. Folding avoids investing another 680 chips in a dominated hand.