Hold'em table

Q8 offsuit is a reasonable button open in a three-handed game. Raising to 2.5 big blinds applies pressure while keeping the pot manageable.

A3 offsuit has an ace blocker but plays poorly as a call from the small blind. A 3-bet can win the pot now or isolate the button.

62 offsuit is far too weak to continue against a button open plus a small-blind 3-bet, and the button can still act behind me. Folding is clearly best.

Q♥8♦ is too weak to continue against a substantial three-bet from the small blind, especially with a large amount still to call.

T3 offsuit is too weak to open from the button with both blinds still to act.

AQo is a strong hand in a blind-vs-blind spot, so I'm raising to 3bb for value and initiative.

75 offsuit is a weak out-of-position hand, and the 3× raise leaves poor pot odds for continuing. Fold rather than risk more chips with a hand that realizes equity poorly.

A3 suited on the button in a 3-handed game is a clear open-raise; a 2.5bb open is standard sizing.

Q9 offsuit is a reasonable defend from the small blind against a button open at this price. Calling keeps the pot manageable while retaining playability, despite the big blind still being to act.

Calling 150 closes the action and gives me a low price to see the flop. Although 97 offsuit is marginal, it has some connectivity in a three-way pot.

With second pair and a reasonable kicker in a three-way pot, checking keeps the pot controlled and lets me evaluate the action behind.

Middle pair with a weak kicker on an ace-high board has some showdown value, but betting into two opponents is unlikely to get called by many worse hands. I’ll check and evaluate the button’s action.

Top pair with a weak kicker plus a backdoor diamond draw on a dry board, checked to me in position. A small bet of about 40% pot gets value from worse aces, 9x, and 5x and denies equity to broadways and wheel draws.

Middle pair with a strong kicker has enough showdown value to continue against this modest bet, especially at the price. Raising risks isolating against stronger aces or better pairs.

Middle pair has enough showdown value to call the small flop bet, even with another player in the pot. I can reassess if the betting gets larger on the turn.

Q9 is two pair, but the ace on board means many likely Ax holdings are ahead, especially in a multiway pot. Check to control the pot and preserve showdown value.

My pair of nines has modest showdown value, but betting into two opponents on an ace-queen board is unlikely to get called by many worse hands.

Top pair with a weak kicker after both opponents checked the turn. A small bet gets value from 9x, 5x, Qx and straight draws, while keeping the pot manageable if someone holds a better ace.

I have two pair on a relatively dry board and can raise for value against weaker queens or aces while charging the remaining player. A moderate raise avoids overcommitting against sets or stronger two pair.

My weak second pair is unlikely to be ahead of the turn check-raise, and the original bettor can still act.

A turn check-raise from a player who check-called the flop multiway is heavily weighted toward two pair, sets or better aces, and my A3 is mostly drawing to three outs. The call needs about 22% equity, and with reverse implied odds on the river I don't have it.

K♦2♠ is weak, but on the button in a three-handed game it is playable as a steal. A small open puts pressure on the blinds while keeping the risk controlled.

Pocket eights are strong enough to three-bet against a button open. Raising also pressures the big blind and avoids playing a multiway pot out of position.

A2o facing a 3-bet from the SB plus the original raiser still behind is well behind the likely ranges and plays poorly out of position. Folding is clearly best.

K♦2♠ is far too weak to continue against the small blind’s substantial 3-bet, and calling would leave me out of position with a dominated hand.

T9 suited is a strong button open three-handed, and a 2.5bb raise uses position while keeping the pot manageable.

52 suited from the small blind facing a button open is too weak to profitably call or 3-bet out of position with the big blind still to act.

K9 offsuit is a reasonable big-blind defend against a button open, and calling gets a favorable price without inflating the pot with a marginal hand.

With king-high on a low, paired board and no strong draw, checking keeps the pot controlled and lets the preflop raiser act.

A small continuation bet can win the pot now, while my gutshot and two overcards give me ways to improve if called.

The small flop bet gives favorable pot odds, and my king-high has two overcard outs plus a backdoor club draw. I’ll call rather than raise with this marginal hand.

I have a king-high hand with a flush draw, so checking keeps the pot manageable and lets me respond to the button’s action.

Ten-high has little showdown value, but this paired, three-club turn is a poor bluff spot without a club blocker. Checking takes the free card and avoids inflating the pot.

I have a modest showdown hand and no meaningful improvement on the river. Betting is unlikely to get called by enough worse hands, so I’ll take the free showdown.

Ten-high is unlikely to win at showdown. After the turn and river checked through to me, a river bet can represent an ace or a flush and may fold out weak pairs.

King-high has no meaningful showdown value, and calling requires the river bet to be a bluff often enough to justify the price. The ace and opponent’s earlier aggression make a fold best.

JTs on the button in 3-handed play is a clear open-raise; 2.5bb puts pressure on the blinds.

Q2 offsuit is too weak to continue out of position against a button raise, especially with the big blind still to act.

K2 offsuit has enough equity to defend the big blind against a 2.5bb button raise at this price.

I have top and bottom pair on a dry flop. Checking gives the preflop raiser a chance to bet while keeping weaker hands in the pot.

On a dry K52 rainbow board, a small c-bet as the preflop raiser in position gets folds from many hands. JT has backdoor draws and some equity if called.

Top and bottom pair is strong on this dry flop. Raising for value targets Kx and weaker pairs while charging straight draws.

I have JTc with no pair and only a backdoor flush draw on K52 rainbow, facing a check-raise to 650 over my small c-bet. Calling 470 into 1380 needs about 25% equity, and my few backdoor outs don't get there, so I fold.