Hold'em table

On the button three-handed, 54s is a standard open-raise and plays well in position against the blinds.

K2 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act and poor postflop position.

J8 suited is strong enough to defend the big blind against a button open, but not strong enough to three-bet for value without a read.

With no pair or meaningful draw on this paired flop, I prefer to check out of position and avoid building the pot.

This dry paired board favors the preflop raiser, so a small c-bet with the backdoor straight draw works well. It should fold out many of the big blind's unpaired hands.

The small flop bet gives me a good price to continue with J-high, two overcards to the 3, and a backdoor diamond draw.

J-high has little showdown value, but the turn brought no meaningful draw. Checking avoids building the pot without a strong bluffing opportunity.

Middle pair of fives on a paired board is likely ahead of the big blind's overcards and weak 3x hands after its turn check. A roughly half-pot bet gets value and denies overcards a free card.

J-high has no meaningful draw on this paired turn. Calling 500 against a second barrel is unlikely to be profitable.

Ac9c is a strong hand to open from the button in a three-handed game. A raise to 250 builds the pot while applying pressure to the blinds.

T2 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

J9o in the big blind against a 2.5x button open in 3-handed play is a clear defend. We need about 27% equity and have decent playability, but the hand is not strong enough to 3-bet.

Middle pair with a gutshot (8 for a straight) out of position against the preflop raiser's range on a Q-J-7 board; checking to the button's c-bet is standard, and I can continue from there.

Ace-high has some showdown value and useful backdoor straight and flush potential. Checking back avoids inflating the pot on a connected flop that can favor the big blind's range.

The button checked back the flop, which caps their range, and my second pair is likely ahead. A half-pot bet takes value from weaker pairs and gutshots and denies equity to overcards.

The turn bet is small relative to the pot, and ace-high has useful showdown value against bluffs after the flop checked through. Calling in position preserves that value without inflating the pot.

Second pair with a weak kicker has showdown value. Villain's turn-calling range holds many better Qx and Jx hands, so betting mostly gets called by better. Checking lets missed straight draws bluff, and I can bluff-catch a reasonable-sized bet.

Ace-high has useful showdown value against missed draws, while a river bet is unlikely to fold out many pairs after the turn call. I’ll take the free showdown.

J9 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 risk modest.

Q5o from the small blind facing a button open, with the big blind still left to act, is a clear fold; it is out of position and dominated too often.

The button’s small open gives the big blind a favorable price, and heads-up against a wide range 6-4 has enough potential to defend. I’ll call rather than raise this weak offsuit hand.

Check with a weak pair on a highly coordinated, monotone flop; this keeps the pot controlled and lets the preflop raiser act.

A small continuation bet can fold out unpaired hands while keeping the pot manageable on this low, monotone flop. The Jd also gives me some potential to improve on later streets.

A small pair plus a gutshot straight draw has enough equity to continue against this modest bet. Raising is risky on a monotone flop with a weak kicker.

I have only a low pair and no diamond, so I lack a strong hand on this four-diamond board. Check and avoid investing more while taking the free river card.

The jack-high flush is strong enough to value-bet against lower diamonds and made hands. A moderate bet also charges hands that can improve on the river.

A pair of fours is weak on a four-diamond board, and I hold no diamond to continue against this substantial turn bet. Calling offers poor prospects without a reliable draw.

K8o on the button in 3-handed play is a standard open-raise, so I'm taking the steal attempt with a 2.5bb sizing.

2♦4♦ is too weak to continue against a button raise from the small blind, especially with the big blind still to act.

A small pocket pair is worth defending in the big blind against a button open at this price. Calling preserves the chance to hit a set without building a large pot out of position.

With an underpair on a dry queen-high flop, I’ll check to avoid building the pot out of position.

On a dry Q-high board that favors the preflop raiser, a small c-bet with king-high, overcard equity and a backdoor draw should take the pot often against the big blind's wide calling range.","table_message":""

Pocket threes are an underpair on this board, with few ways to improve and poor prospects for realizing equity out of position.

K7 suited is a profitable button open three-handed; raise to 2.5 big blinds to apply pressure while keeping the sizing modest.

A8 suited plays well as a three-bet against a button open, and raising from the small blind avoids inviting the big blind into the pot cheaply.

QJo is too weak to call a 3-bet to 10.5bb out of position when the original raiser is still left to act behind. It is dominated by much of the 3-betting range, so folding is the disciplined play.

K7 suited is too weak to continue against a large out-of-position 3-bet, and calling requires substantial equity. A 4-bet bluff is unnecessary with this hand and sizing.

A7 offsuit is strong enough to open on the button three-handed. A 2.5-big-blind raise puts pressure on the blinds without risking too much.

In 3-handed play the button opens a wide range, and 44 is a solid hand to 3-bet from the small blind rather than flat out of position with the big blind still to act. A 3-bet to 10bb applies fold equity and simplifies the hand.

A6 suited has some blocker value, but a 10bb 3-bet after a button open is strong, and calling 9bb leaves the button yet to act. Folding avoids putting in too much with a dominated hand.

A7 offsuit is too weak to continue against a large three-bet, even with position.