Hold'em table

A4o is marginal but playable as a button open in three-handed poker; a small raise takes the initiative in position with fold equity.

J8 offsuit is marginal but playable against a button open at this price; calling keeps the pot manageable while avoiding a weak 3-bet from the small blind.

97 offsuit is too weak to defend out of position against a button open and small blind call despite attractive pot odds.

I have trip jacks on a board that favors the preflop raiser, so checking gives them a chance to bet while keeping weaker hands in the pot.

Preflop raiser with ace-high and little showdown value; a small c-bet pressures the checked range and can take the pot down cheaply.

I have strong trips and want value from worse Jx while charging heart and straight draws. A substantial raise also builds the pot without committing too much against a full house.

Ace-high with no pair or draw is too weak to continue against a flop check-raise on a paired board. Folding saves chips for a better spot.

Calling is inexpensive from the button and keeps a playable pot with position; Q4 offsuit is too weak to raise for value.

Getting 5:1 pot odds with suited two-gapper T7s in the small blind against a button limp; calling is straightforward and profitable.

K9 offsuit is too weak to raise multiway, and checking is free from the big blind after both opponents have limped.

I have ten-high with no direct draw on an ace-high flop in a 3-way limped pot, so checking is the standard play.

Middle pair on an ace-high flop with the button still to act; checking controls the pot and sees what develops.

With only queen-high and a backdoor flush draw, a multiway bluff has little value after both opponents check. I’ll take the free card and keep the pot small.

I have ten-high with a gutshot straight draw and no clubs on a monotone board. Checking to see the river card or re-evaluate is the best line out of position.

Second pair with a king kicker has some showdown value, but the ace and three-flush make a turn bet unattractive multiway after the flop checked through. Checking keeps the pot small and sees a free river.

I have a strong queen-high flush draw, and the checks give me a chance to take the pot now while retaining good equity when called. A modest turn bet applies pressure without risking too much.

I have ten-high with only a gutshot draw on a three-flush board, facing a turn bet with another player still to act behind me.

I have middle pair plus a club flush draw and the 175 bet is small enough that my equity and implied odds justify continuing rather than folding or raising a non-nut draw.

I have aces and nines with a king kicker, but the paired ace board and three clubs make trips and flushes likely in the turn-bettor's range. Checking controls the pot and gets to showdown without bloating it.

I have a modest showdown hand with a queen kicker, but the turn caller may have a pair that improved to two pair on the river. Checking avoids value-owning myself while still winning against missed draws and weaker holdings.

Opening with King-Jack suited on the button with a standard 2.5x raise.

K2 offsuit is too weak to continue from the small blind against a button open, especially out of position. Folding avoids a dominated, low-playability hand.

53 offsuit has poor equity and playability against a button raise. The call price is not enough to justify defending this weak hand out of position.

98o is connected enough to open from the button in three-handed play, and raising is better than calling because the small blind can still squeeze. A 2.5bb open keeps the price reasonable while taking the initiative.

J8 offsuit is a weak, easily dominated hand from the small blind, and calling leaves me out of position with the big blind still to act. I fold rather than defend the raise.

Holding pocket tens in the big blind against a button open, raising to 1000 (10bb) for value is standard 3-handed play.

89o is too weak to continue against a 4x 3-bet; folding avoids a dominated spot with poor equity.

7♦2♣ is an especially weak offsuit hand, so I’ll fold rather than invest from the button.

63s is too weak to complete or raise out of position against the big blind.

Holding 65 offsuit on the button is too weak to profitably open-raise, so folding is the standard play.

58 offsuit is too weak to play out of position against the big blind, so folding avoids further losses.