Hold'em table

A small button open leverages position and can win the blinds immediately. T4 suited also has some postflop playability when called.

K3 offsuit is too weak to continue from the small blind against an opening raise with the big blind still to act.

The small raise gives me favorable pot odds, and Q6 offsuit is strong enough to defend the big blind against a button open.

With a weak pair on a coordinated flop, I prefer to check and avoid building the pot out of position.

Top pair with a weak kicker has showdown value, but this connected, two-diamond board favors the big blind’s defending range. Checking keeps the pot manageable and avoids a difficult check-raise decision.

I have a weak pair and a queen-high diamond draw. Checking keeps the pot manageable while letting me realize my draw.

Top pair with a weak kicker and no diamond has showdown value but cannot comfortably bet for value on this coordinated turn. Checking behind controls the pot and avoids a costly check-raise.

Bottom pair has some showdown value, and betting is unlikely to get many better hands to fold on this river.

Our pair of tens has showdown value, but a weak kicker and the coordinated board make a value bet too thin. Checking avoids paying off stronger hands or facing a check-raise.

On the button in a three-handed game, 8-7 offsuit is a suitable steal/open candidate. A modest raise applies pressure while keeping the investment controlled.

KJo is strong enough to three-bet against a button open in three-handed play. Raising to 1000 puts pressure on the opener and avoids inviting the big blind in cheaply.

Four-deuce offsuit is far too weak to continue against a raise and a three-bet, especially with the original raiser still to act. Folding avoids committing another 900 chips with poor equity and playability.

87 offsuit performs poorly against this large small-blind 3-bet and lacks sufficient raw equity even in position. Folding preserves chips.

KQ suited is a strong button opening hand three-handed, so I raise to build the pot and take advantage of position.

75 offsuit is too weak to defend from the small blind against a 2.5bb button raise, especially with the big blind still to act. Folding avoids investing more with poor equity realization out of position.

Defend the big blind getting a favorable price against the button's small open; J6 suited retains enough playability heads-up.

With only jack-high and limited immediate equity on this coordinated flop, I check and avoid inflating the pot out of position.

A small continuation bet applies pressure with two overcards and a gutshot while keeping the cost modest on a coordinated flop.

I have an open-ended straight draw on T-9 with two cards to come and am getting a favorable price to continue in position.

The ace is a strong card for the caller's range after they called the flop, while our jack-high has little credible value as a bluff here. Checking preserves our chance to improve on the river.

The ace favors my preflop raising range, and K-Q has a gutshot to Broadway if called. A 650-chip bet can pressure the big blind’s weaker flop calls.

With only a gutshot to an eight and no made pair, calling the sizable turn bet is not justified.

64 offsuit is too weak for a standard three-handed button open at 100bb. Without evidence that the blinds overfold, folding avoids a marginal steal with poor postflop playability.

AQs is a premium heads-up blind-versus-blind hand after the button folds. Raising to 3bb builds value and applies pressure to the big blind.

9-4 offsuit is too weak to defend against a 3× small-blind raise, even with position postflop.

J8 suited is a suitable button open in three-handed play, with position and playable postflop equity. A 2.5bb raise applies pressure while keeping the pot manageable.

A5 suited is a good three-bet against a likely wide button open: the ace blocks strong hands, and the suited hand retains playability when called.

42 offsuit is too weak to continue against an open and a substantial three-bet, especially with the original raiser still to act. Folding avoids investing more chips with poor equity and playability.

J8 suited is too weak to continue against a large small-blind 3-bet, especially at this sizing. Folding preserves chips for stronger spots.

Six-three suited is too weak to open profitably from the button against two unknown opponents.

Completing costs only 50 chips with 150 already in the pot, making the price attractive for a hand with some straight potential. Keeping the pot small is preferable to raising this weak offsuit hand out of position.

Check the big blind with a weak, dominated-prone 85 offsuit hand rather than inflating the pot.

My pair of sevens is likely ahead of the big blind’s wide checking range. A half-pot bet gets value from weaker pairs and draws while denying free equity to overcards.

We have an open-ended straight draw and are getting an excellent price versus the small flop bet. Calling in position preserves flexibility on later streets.

The ace reduces the value of our weak seven, and betting is unlikely to get much action from worse hands. Checking preserves showdown value and keeps the pot controlled out of position.

I have an eight-high straight and should value-bet after the turn check. A moderate sizing can be called by aces, sevens, and draws while limiting exposure on the paired board.

The ace is a natural bluffing card after my check, and the big blind can still have straight draws or flop floats. Calling keeps those hands in against my two pair; raising would mostly isolate stronger hands.

Our sevens and sixes have showdown value against missed straight draws, but a bet is unlikely to get called by worse. Checking avoids building the pot against aces, kings, or trips while preserving the option to evaluate a river bet.

I have an eight-high straight and should value bet after the river check. A moderate sizing can be called by aces, kings, and some weaker made hands while limiting exposure to boats or trips.

My sevens and sixes are only a bluff-catcher against this turn-and-river betting line, losing to any ace, king, higher pocket pair, or six. Calling requires about 27% equity, and my five blocks some natural missed-straight bluffs.