Hold'em table

On the button 3-handed, J8o is a clear opening hand. A 2.5x raise works as a steal against the blinds while keeping the risk small.

Q2 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise with the big blind still to act.

AK is a premium hand heads-up against the button’s open, so I’m reraising for value and to take initiative while out of position.

J8o is well behind the big blind's 3-bet range. Calling 650 into a 1200 pot out of position-neutral with a dominated hand isn't profitable, so I fold.

Ace-king offsuit is a strong button opening hand. A raise to 250 builds the pot while keeping a wide range of weaker hands in play.

7♣5♦ is a weak, offsuit hand from the small blind facing a button raise, and calling out of position risks more chips than the hand is worth.

QJo in the big blind against a button 2.5x open in 3-handed play is a clear defend. We're getting good odds at 150 to win 400, and QJo plays well postflop, so calling is better than 3-betting.

We're out of position with a gutshot plus two overcards on a K-high board that favors the preflop raiser, so checking to the aggressor is standard. We can then consider continuing against a small c-bet.

Top pair with top kicker is strong against the big blind's calling range. Betting for value also charges spade and straight draws.

With a backdoor flush draw, a backdoor straight draw and some overcard equity, getting about 3.5:1 against a small c-bet from the button, this is a reasonable defend. Calling keeps weaker bluffs in the hand, and I can re-evaluate on the turn.

Queen-high with only a gutshot (a ten makes the straight) and a backdoor flush draw that missed. Checking takes a free card and keeps the pot small out of position.

Top pair with top kicker is likely ahead of the big blind's flop-calling range. A 900-chip bet gets value from weaker kings and draws while charging flush draws.

Queen-high with no pair and no real draw facing a second barrel; the equity is far too low to call or bluff-raise profitably.

Nine-five suited is a reasonable button open in a three-handed game, and raising takes initiative while using position postflop. A modest size keeps weaker hands in and limits exposure if the blinds continue.

82s from the small blind facing a button open, with the big blind still to act behind, is too weak to call out of position or 3-bet profitably. Folding is standard.

The folded small blind adds dead money, improving the price to defend. With no rake, 8♠3♠ is a marginal but playable call against a button open.

I have a flush draw but no made hand. Checking keeps the pot manageable and lets me respond to the button's action.

I have only a weak bottom pair on a queen-high board and little immediate equity to improve. Checking keeps the pot small and preserves showdown value.

After the flop checked through, I can probe the turn with a flush draw. This sizing may fold out some unpaired hands while leaving me a chance to improve if called.

Call with the four-heart flush draw and a pair of fives; the price is reasonable, while raising risks getting called by stronger made hands.

Eight-high has little showdown value. A river bet can fold out missed draws and some weak pairs after the turn call.

My Q-high flush is strong against the river bet, and the pot odds justify calling. A full house is possible, but raising risks isolating against that part of the range.

On the button in 3-handed play, 54o sits at the bottom of a wide opening range. A small steal of 2.5bb pressures both blinds and keeps the hand playable postflop.

43 offsuit plays poorly out of position against a button raise, with the big blind still to act.

K2 offsuit is a weak, poorly realizing hand out of position against the button’s raise. I’ll avoid defending it at this sizing.

K7 offsuit is strong enough to open on the button in a three-handed game. A 2.5 big-blind raise applies pressure while keeping the pot manageable.

9♥6♠ is a weak offsuit hand from the small blind, and calling a button raise leaves me out of position with the big blind still to act.

A3o in the big blind against a button 2.5x open is a clear defend: we're getting good pot odds and the ace blocks strong hands. Calling is standard, with an occasional 3-bet mixed in.

Top two pair on a draw-heavy board; I lead for value and protection, since checking risks a free card against the diamond and wheel draws.

King-high with no diamond and little potential to improve is too weak to continue against this flop bet.

A8 offsuit is a profitable open from the button three-handed. I raise to 2.5 big blinds to apply pressure while keeping the pot manageable.

K3s out of position in the small blind against a button open, with the big blind still to act behind, is a marginal hand. Folding is standard; a 3-bet bluff is an option, but calling out of position is weak.

K7 offsuit has enough equity to defend the big blind against a button raise to 250, especially with only 150 more to call.

Trips with a king kicker are strong on this dry board. Checking to the preflop raiser keeps bluffs in and gives them a chance to bet for value.

A small continuation bet can pressure unpaired hands while risking little, and my ace-high has some backdoor straight and flush equity. The paired board and the big blind’s check make a modest sizing preferable to a large bet.

Trips with a strong kicker are well ahead of a typical button continuation-betting range. Calling keeps bluffs and weaker made hands in while giving them a chance to bet again.

Trip sevens with a king kicker are strong here. A 600-chip bet can get value from aces and club draws while charging those draws to continue.

Top pair is strong enough to continue against this sizing, but my weak kicker makes a raise unattractive. I’ll call and reassess on the river.

Trip sevens with a king kicker are strong here. A value bet can get called by aces, tens, and weaker sevens.

The turn lead followed by a substantial river bet is a value-heavy line, often representing a seven or an ace with a better kicker. My weak-kicker pair of aces is unlikely to meet the call threshold often enough.