Hold'em table

On the button three-handed, T4 suited is playable as a positional steal and benefits from initiative. I use a small opening size to keep the risk controlled.

K3 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

Calling costs 120 to contest a 490-chip pot, requiring about 24.5% equity. Q6 offsuit is a reasonable big-blind defense against a small button open, especially with no rake.

Bottom pair with a backdoor diamond draw has some showdown value but is too weak to build a pot out of position. Checking keeps the opponent's bluffs in and lets us evaluate their bet size.

Betting top pair for value and protection on this coordinated two-diamond board, using a small sizing that can be called by worse pairs and draws.

Bottom pair with a queen kicker and a backdoor diamond draw is worth defending against this small continuation bet. Calling needs about 20% equity and preserves our showdown value without inflating the pot.

My pair and queen-high flush draw have enough equity to continue cautiously, but little incentive to build the pot. Checking preserves showdown value and lets me reassess against the button's sizing.

I will value-bet and charge the many diamond and straight draws while still getting called by weaker pairs and eights.

Calling costs 300 to contest a final pot of 1,410, requiring about 21% equity. My pair and queen-high flush draw provide enough potential against this small bet, while raising risks isolating stronger hands.

Bottom pair retains some showdown value against missed draws, but betting would mostly fold worse hands and invite calls from better ones. The river ace favors the button’s range, so checking is preferable to leading a bluff.

Our pair of tens has modest showdown value, but the river ace is unfavorable and a value bet is unlikely to be called by worse often enough. Checking realizes equity without risking a check-raise.

Eight-seven offsuit is playable as a button open in a three-handed game. Raising to 2.5 big blinds applies pressure while preserving position postflop.

KJo is a reasonable three-bet against a wide button opening range, with useful blockers to strong continuing hands. Raising rather than calling pressures the big blind to fold and compensates for playing out of position.

2-4 offsuit is far too weak to defend against a large 3-bet from the big blind, especially with the opener still behind.

87 offsuit is too weak to continue against a large 3-bet, even in position.

KQs is a strong button opening hand three-handed. Raising to 2.5 big blinds builds a pot with position while pressuring the blinds and retaining weaker hands in their calling ranges.

7-5 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a button raise with the big blind still behind.

J6 offsuit is marginal, but the button’s small raise and the dead small blind give me sufficient pot odds to defend the big blind.

With jack-high, no diamond, and little immediate draw equity on this coordinated flop, I prefer to check rather than bluff into the preflop raiser.

Two overcards and a gutshot make this a strong semi-bluff in position. Betting can fold out ace-high and small pairs while building a pot for favorable turns.

J-high has no pair or immediate draw on this flop, and calling 350 offers poor value against a continuation bet.

6-4 offsuit is too weak to open from the button in this short-handed spot; folding avoids playing a dominated hand.

AQ suited is a strong heads-up hand against the big blind. Raising to 350 builds the pot for value and applies pressure to a wide defending range.

94 offsuit is too weak to defend profitably against a 3.5bb raise, even with position. It has poor equity realization and no useful blockers for a three-bet bluff.

J8 suited is a profitable button open three-handed, and a 2.5-big-blind raise applies pressure while keeping the pot manageable.

A5 suited is a strong three-bet candidate against a button open, with an ace blocker and suited-wheel potential. Raising to 1000 pressures the opener’s wide range and discourages the big blind from joining while we are out of position.

4-2 offsuit is far too weak to continue facing a large 10bb 3-bet from the big blind.

J8 suited plays well in position, but the large three-bet makes calling costly with a hand that is often dominated.

63 suited is a marginal button open with weak high-card strength and limited connectivity. Without evidence that the blinds overfold, folding avoids a low-value investment.

Complete the small blind with 7-5 suited-equivalent connectivity versus the big blind after the button folds; the price is favorable and this hand retains playable postflop equity.

8-5 offsuit is too weak to raise for value, and checking lets me see a free flop in position.

I have two pair on a coordinated paired board and should value bet against worse sevens, sixes, and draws while charging equity.

I have an open-ended straight draw and position. Calling the 150-chip bet keeps the pot manageable while I look to improve.

With a paired board and only a weak pair, checking controls the pot and preserves showdown value. Betting is unlikely to get called by many worse hands.

The ace is a good card to bluff after the flop bettor checks. I also have an open-ended straight draw if called.

We have a pair plus a reasonable chance villain is betting a worse pair or continuing with a bluff. The pot odds justify calling rather than folding.

Our 7-6 two pair is unlikely to get called by worse on this ace-king river after the turn betting. Checking preserves showdown value and avoids targeting only stronger holdings.

Eight-high has little showdown value. The ace and king make a river bluff credible, and this sizing pressures the opponent's weaker pairs.

My pair of sevens is only a bluff-catcher on this paired board. The large river bet is credibly supported by any ace, king, or six, and there are few natural bluffs.