Hold'em table

Pocket threes on the button in a three-handed game is a standard open-raise. A 2.5bb open lets me pick up the blinds often and still play the hand in position when called.

Ace-king is strong enough to three-bet against a button open. Raising to 1100 applies pressure and helps avoid a multiway pot from the small blind.

Qc4d is too weak to defend against a large 11bb small-blind 3-bet with the button still behind.

Pocket threes facing a large 3-bet from the small blind (4.4x) do not have enough implied odds: roughly 10x the call is left behind for set mining, and the pair is hard to play profitably post-flop. Folding and losing the 2.5bb open is the disciplined choice.

K4 offsuit is strong enough to open on the button three-handed. A small raise puts pressure on the blinds while keeping the pot manageable.

T8 offsuit performs poorly out of position against a button open, especially with the big blind still to act. Folding avoids defending a dominated, low-equity hand.

A6o in the big blind against a 2.25x button open in 3-handed play is an easy defend: we get about 4:1 on the call, and flatting keeps the button's wide range in. A 3-bet is also possible, but calling works well here.

With the ace of diamonds I have ace-high plus a backdoor nut flush draw, which plays well as a check out of position against the button's range. Checking lets me consider a check-raise or call against a continuation bet.

A small continuation bet can fold out some missed hands while risking little. The king overcard and backdoor diamond draw provide some ways to improve if called.

Facing a small one-third-pot c-bet, I only need about 20% equity to call. Ace-high with an overcard and the backdoor nut flush draw via the Ad has enough equity and playability to continue.

Ace-high with no draw left after the turn paired the board. Checking keeps the pot small and lets me realize my showdown value against a button that may give up.

King-high has some showdown value against missed draws, but a turn bet is unlikely to make a jack fold. Checking takes the free card and keeps the pot manageable.

The river gave me sixes and deuces with an ace kicker. After the button checked back the turn, their range is capped, so a small thin value bet can get called by weaker sixes, small pairs and some ace-high hands, while also setting my own price.

King-high has little showdown value against a river bet, and this hand lacks strong blockers for a bluff raise.

Kh8h is a playable suited king on the button and benefits from initiative. A 3bb open applies pressure while retaining postflop maneuverability.

K2 offsuit from the small blind facing a button open, with the big blind still to act, is too weak to call or 3-bet profitably. Folding is standard.

JTo has enough equity against a typical button opening range to defend the big blind for 200 chips. Calling keeps the pot manageable out of position.

With two overcards and a gutshot, I have some potential to improve, but I’m out of position against the preflop raiser. Checking keeps the pot manageable.

Betting top pair with a strong kicker for value and protection on this connected flop. A medium sizing targets weaker eights, sevens, draws, and pocket pairs.

I have a gutshot straight draw and two overcards against a button continuation bet. Calling keeps their bluffs in while giving me a chance to improve.

I have only a gutshot straight draw and no pair. Checking avoids investing more chips without a made hand.

We have a strong two-pair hand on this paired board and should value bet against eights, pocket pairs, and draws. A moderate sizing keeps weaker holdings continuing while charging diamonds.

I have only a gutshot and weak overcard outs against a second barrel. The 800-chip call is too expensive for this draw.

A2 suited on the button in a 3-handed game is a clear open-raise; 2.5bb is a standard size.

5-3 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

7-4 offsuit is too weak to defend profitably against a button raise, especially out of position.

Q2 suited is playable as a button open in three-handed hold’em. Raising to 250 applies pressure to the blinds while keeping the investment modest.

Fold the weak, dominated-prone 75 offsuit facing a raise from the button with the big blind still behind.

AKs in the big blind facing a button open is a clear 3-bet for value. Sizing to 10bb out of position.

Q2 suited is too weak to defend against a large out-of-position three-bet, even with the button.

A3 offsuit is a clear button opening hand three-handed, with ace blocker and positional advantage. I raise to 2.5bb to pressure the blinds while keeping the pot manageable.

65o from the small blind facing a button open, with the big blind still to act, is a clear fold; calling out of position is unprofitable.

Q4 offsuit is too weak to defend out of position against a 2.5bb button raise, especially with deep stacks and reverse implied odds.