76 - ryan fees 6maxnl guide

7/24/2019 76 - Ryan Fees 6maxNL Guide

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Ryan Fee's 6 Max NL Strategy Guide

Preface 3

Table Selection 3

Preflop

Under The Gun (UTG) 5!d"usting 6Loose Ga#es 6

Tig$t Ga#es 6Stac% Si&es 6

Middle Position (MP) 6!d"usting Loose Ga#es Tig$t Ga#es (solating 3)etting Stac% Si&es *

Cut Off 9!d"usting +,Loose Ga#es +,

Button 12Looser Ga#es +-Tig$ter Ga#es +3Stac% Si&es +3

3)etting +.

Blinds 143)etting +

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Squeein! 15)all Till /ou Fall +6S0uee&e (P1 !ll Fuc%ing 2ay +6

Flop Play +

"on# Bettin! ($e%din!) 1&

Continu%tion Betttin! 1'Loose)ad Players +*T!Gs -,

Che#*%isin! 21

+lo%tin! 2,

*%isin! 24!s PFR -.For 4alue -.)luffs -Not as PFR -Monotone and Rainbo5 )oards -4alueto5n -

Unr%ised Pots 2'2ry )oards -7ea8y )oards -*

Turn Play -*

"ou-le B%rrelin! 29

2ra5s- Pair or )etter 3,9ne Pair 3,(n Position 3,

Che# *%isin! The Turn ,4

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+lo%tin! The Turn ,5*%isin! The Turn ,6

Ri8er Play 3*

Tri.le B%rrelin! ,9Raising 3*)luffing 3*

+or /%lue 41

Mentality .3

7ealt$ .3

:ps5ings ..

Session Lengt$ ..

Multitabling ..

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Preface

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T$is boo% 5ill co8er s#all sta%es online 6 #ax ring ga#es> !ll $ands 5ill be assu#ed to be 6$anded= t$oug$ ot$er situations 5ill be discussed> T$e focus of t$is boo% 5ill be t$eprogression of a $and t$roug$ preflop= flop= turn= and ri8er>

/our $and ranges in general s$ould ad"ust and be contrary to t$e 5ay t$e ga#e is playing>

T$is #eans t$at if t$e ga#e is loose ;#eaning t$ere are a lot of bad players= generallyplayers 5it$ 4P(P's $ig$er t$an -= for exa#ple a player t$at plays 3-+ is a 5ea% badplayer< you s$ould be playing a tig$ter #ore solid ga#e= bluffing less often ;including se#i?bluffs< and 8alue betting t$inly 5it$ + pair type $ands> /ou s$ould also play less starting$ands>

9n t$e flip side if t$e ga#e is tig$ter you s$ould loosen up your starting range ;incorporating$ands suc$ as 6s :TG< to exploit t$e your opponent's tendency to fold> (n t$ese instancesyou s$ould se#i?bluff and bluff #ore= as you 5ill find #ore fold e0uity>

Loose players 5ill searc$ for an excuse to call= 5$ereas a tig$t player 5ill loo% for an excuseto fold>

Table selection

@$en Table selecting you 5ant to loo% for t$e follo5ing t$ings1

Players t$at play too #any $ands1 !nyt$ing abo8e ., 4P(P is gra8y= but 3, is too #any$ands as 5ell> !lso players t$at play so#et$ing li%e -+, ;#eaning t$ey areli#pingcalling @!/ too #uc$ preflop< 5ill do as 5ell

Stac% si&es1 Generally you 5ant players 5it$ full stac%s to t$e rig$t of you> /ou 5ant to$a8e position on players t$at you co8er= as it is AB4> !t t$e sa#e ti#e you 5antplayers 5it$ s$ort stac%s to your left= as s$ort stac%ers t$at $a8e position on you areAB4 for you> (n a perfect 5orld you 5ould play 5it$ 3 full stac%s 5it$ 4P(Ps o8er ., toyour rig$t= and t5o tig$t s$ort stac%ers to your left= but t$is 5ill rarely e8er $appen= its

"ust so#et$ing to t$in% about>

Position and $ands played1 !s described in t$e second feature for good ga#eselection you 5ant loose players to your rig$t and tig$t players to your left> !gain t$isisn't essential but its so#et$ing to t$in% about 5$en s5itc$ingselecting seats= as 5ellas c$anging ga#es>

Losingbrea% e8en regulars1 /our strategy s$ould in8ol8e you playing . tables or lessand really focusing on your opponents 5$ile de8eloping 8ery strong reads> Feel free toplay 5it$ a regular t$at you $a8e as a loser or #arginal 5inner in your database> !8oid5inners> /our superior strategy 5ill #a%e it profitable to sit in a ga#e 5it$ t$eseplayers and exploit t$e#= so feel free to sit= "ust don't searc$ t$e# out or #a%e a $abit

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6/44

HsA ;Hs and !0s I5$ic$ 5as already co8eredJ< ;#eaning suited + gappers /our :TG range can ad"ust based on t$e ga#e 0uality you are in>

!d"usting

Loose games:

!dd $ands li%e Ho or !To= because you can #a%e + pair type $ands and extract 8alue fro#players calling 5it$ 5ea%er top pair $ands or second pair $ands> T$e reason 5e typicallya8oid t$ese type of $ands in tig$t ga#es is because 5e 5ill fre0uently s$o5 up 5it$ secondbest + pair $ands out of position ;99P< and 5ill put us in toug$ spots and to lots of decisions>

!l5ays try to #a%e po%er easy to play>

Tight Games:

(nclude $ands suc$ as 6sA or !s> T$ese $ands $a8e a lot of potential and 5ill not often putyou into situations 5$ere you $a8e 5ea% + pair $ands out of position> T$ese $ands 5idenyour range against li%ely better players and #a%e you a #ore difficult and tric%y opponent>

ta!k i"es:

/ou s$ould also ad"ust your raising range based on stac% si&es> For instance say you are

:TG and t$ere are t5o or t$ree players 5it$ say .,)) stac% si&es ;or less (n t$is scenarioyou s$ould a8oid $ands li%e --?66 and *s= and instead substitute in $ands li%e Ho= o=!*s= !To= because against t$ese players you again are si#ply loo%ing for a top pair type $andto get it in against ;T$ese .,bb stac% players 5ill generally be 8ery bad and play poorlypostflop getting it in 5it$ a 5ide range t$at doesn't include #any top pair type $ands

Middle Position ;MP /ou 5ill incorporate a fe5 #ore $ands= $o5e8er all t$e sa#eprincipals apply> !gain lets exa#ine a standard preflop MP range= assu#ing full stac%s and a

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#ix of tagslag fis$ ;players t$at play too #any $ands 5it$out purpose

!d"usting1

Loose games:/ou generally 5ant to a8oid t$ings li%e !*o= as its potential is 8ery s#all> ust li%e :TG youcan still profitably raise *s and T*s= "ust do it less fre0uently>

For exa#ple #aybe you only raise t$ese $ands roug$ly $alf t$e ti#e you are dealt t$e#> :seyour i#agetable $istory to deter#ine t$e opti#al raising opportunity> For t$e #ost part in alooser ga#e you 5ant to %eep t$ings closer to t$e 8est= so "ust si#ply raise less $ands in t$isposition>

Tight Games1

T$ese ga#es you can open up #ore fro# t$is position= includeD 6sA

!s= !s

Ts

#solating:

Pending a 8ery 5ea% player= playing .,C or #ore of $is $ands= you need to %eep in #ind t$atpeoples li#ping range :TG is as tig$t as it 5ill get for t$e# ;e8en t$oug$ it could be 5ide

/ou $a8e to be careful about isolating in t$is position because t$ere are t5o players 5it$position on you t$at understand you can isolate t$ese players 5it$ a 5ide range> (t is o% to tryto add a $and li%e *s to your range $ere for t$e purpose of isolating a 5ea% player ;by 5ea% (#ean folding too #uc$= 5$et$er it be li#p folding= or to cbetsdouble barrels< $o5e8er if you$a8e one or t5o tig$t aggressi8e opponents be$ind you t$at 5ill exploit your extended rangeyou s$ould err on t$e side of folding to a8oid #arginal situations>

(n t$e e8ent t$at t$ese players are in t$e blinds or you ga#e selected 5ell and you aren't at a

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table 5it$ opponents t$at go after you= sure go for it= isolate t$at li#per>

3 betting:

(n general you s$ould be 3betting far #ore in position t$at 99P>

T$e only person you can 3bet in MP is :TG> /ou need to be 8ery cautious 5$en 3betting an:TG opener= because t$is is 5$ere t$eir raising range is li%ely t$e tig$test ;ignoring 5$ent$ey are in t$e blinds

Lig$t 3bets are certainly profitable= $o5e8er t$e ratio of lig$t 3bet to 8alue 3bet s$ould be5eig$ted $ea8ily to5ards 8alue> Lets say for nu#ber's sa%e 5e 8alue 3bet an :TG opener,C of t$e ti#e= and lig$t 3bet -,C>

First lets assign our 3bet range1

4alue1

!Hos

!0os ;situational< !"s ;situational /ou generally 5ant to 3bet an :TG opener 5it$ 6?T*s or !xs because 5it$ t$e SE'syou 5ill generally a8oid second best $ands and $a8e tre#endous flop potential> T$e !xs$ands 5ill bloc% co#binations of !! and !H ;5$ic$ 5ill $elp a8oid $i# .betting you< and also$a8e tre#endous flop potential> !8oid all ot$er $ands as t$ey 5ill for# second best $ands

often and get you in #arginal spots>!ny5ay= bac% to exa#ining 5$en to 3bet> @e said 5e 5anted to use an ,-, ratio= , 8alue=-, bluffs> T$is #eans for e8ery . ti#es you 3bet an :TG opener 5it$ so#et$ing li%e !H or

!!= you 5ant to 3bet $i# once 5it$ 6s>

ta!k i"es:

ust li%e :TG you s$ould also ad"ust your raising range based on stac% si&es> !s stac%s gets$orter t$is scenario you s$ould a8oid $ands li%e --?66 and *s= and instead substitute in$ands li%e Ho= o= !*s= !To= because against t$ese players you again are si#ply loo%ing

for a top pair type $and to get it in against ;T$ese .,bb stac% players 5ill generally be 8erybad and play poorly postflop getting it in 5it$ a 5ide range t$at doesn't include #any top pairtype $ands< T$oug$ it s$ould be #ade clear in t$e $ig$er MSNL and 7SNL ;#ediu# and $ig$sta%es ga#es< t$ere are players 5$o play a 8ery tig$t and solid s$ort stac% ga#e t$at are#ore difficult to play against= $o5e8er it is unco##on to encounter one of t$ese playersany5$ere belo5 36NL>

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$ut %ff

T$is is 5$ere po%er 5ill beco#e #ore interesting> T$e cut off is t$e first position consideredlate position and is a spot 5$ere you 5ill #ore often t$an not be in position> T$ere is a #uc$bigger transition in our range fro# MP to E9= as 5ill be s$o5n in our $and selection>

T$e cut off is one of your #ost profitable positions= second only to t$e button> T$is position is

5$ere you 5ill start isolating 5ea% players t$at li#p and 3betting players to %eep t$e pressureon> Lets get to our range1

--A ;all pairs+)) per $and> T$at #eans t$at stealing blinds

earns you + ti#es t$e a8erage profit per $and> )eginning to understand 5$y it's so i#portantand profitable

!d"usting

Loose games:

)elie8e it or not= but playing fro# t$e E9 in loose ga#es is #ore tric%y t$an tig$t ga#es 5$enit co#es to isolating> (n a tig$t ga#e you can raise anyt$ing and #ost decisions 5ill be easy>

(n a loose ga#e you run t$e ris% of playing a lot of pots 5it$ #arginal $ands and ;despitebeing (P< losing #oney>

!s you beco#e better post flop you 5ill $a8e t$e capacity to raise #ore and #ore $ands fro#position to isolate li#pers= but first 5e $a8e to exa#ine situations 5$ere 5e s$ould ands$ould not isolate a player>

Lets i#agine t$e follo5ing scenario1

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/ou are in t$e E9 5it$ H*s= :TG 5$o plays 3+, li#ps ;you'8e seen t$is player li#p :TG5it$ Ho= and 5it$ H.s in LP T$e button is a #ediocre T!G playing ++ and doesn't $a8e a penc$ant for3betting lig$t (P= t$oug$ you $a8e seen $i# do it> T$e blinds are t5o $alf stac%s playing 3,?3C of t$eir $ands> @$at's your play

+old

!lt$oug$ t$e player :TG is bad and li#ps a 5ide range 5e can be sure $e's at t$e top of $isli#ping range :TG and is a5are of t$e significance of position> @e also %no5 t$at $e folds to,C of cbets= and li%ely less 5$en $is range is strong ;5$ic$ it is due to $i# being :TG

T$e button is of 8ery little concern= but 5e %no5 $e'll reraise us 5it$ !A and TTA and on rareoccasion 5it$ a bluff= so t$is is so#et$ing to consider>

T$e second biggest concern of t$e $and is t$e s$orties in t$e blinds> T$ey play 5ay too #any$ands and don't care about position> @it$out flopping so#eti#e strong it 5ill be $ard to playagainst t$ese players as t$ey 5ill regularly be out of line> /ou $a8e a $and 5it$ so#epotential= as it is suited= $o5e8er i#plied odds co#e fro# deep stac%s= not s$ort ones> T$isco#pounded 5it$ dealing 5it$ a player li#p?calling :TG is proble#atic because it is 8ery

possible you 5ill be t$ree 5ay to t$e flop>

Let's exa#ine anot$er situation1

/ou are in t$e E9 5it$ 6s= MP li#ps= $e $as a full stac% and plays -+-= 5it$ a fold to cbetof 66C> T$e button is a -,+, 5ea%tig$t player> T$e blinds $a8e one good 5inning T!G 5$o3bets too #uc$ 99P and one don% 5$o plays big pots 5it$ #arginal $ands too often= and$as bet5een +., and +,))'s= and you co8er>

*%ise

/ou definitely 5ant to raise to isolate t$e player in MP 5$o is definitely 5ea% tig$t> 7is fold tocbet is on t$e lo5 end as far as 5ea% tig$t goes= but you $a8e full stac%s and positionEo#bined 5it$ a $and t$at $as #a"or potential it is a 8ery profitable situation> @e don't 5antt$e button to co#e along= but if $e does 5e still can represent so#et$ing by cbetting t$e flop=and 5e also $a8e #a"or flop potential>

T$e T!G 5$o 3bets too #uc$ is %ind of proble#atic= but t$is is a situation 5$ere once in a5$ile 5e can call and bluff so#e flops>> T$e ot$er great feature of t$is $and is t$e 5ea% playerin t$e blinds 5$o 5e co8er> @e 5ill $a8e position on t$is guy 5it$ a#a&ing i#plied odds= so5e definitely don't #ind if $e co#es in>

(f a player calls too #uc$ after t$e flop you 5ant to lean to5ards raising so#et$ing li%e H*s=instead of 6s= unless you are +,,bbA 5it$ t$at player> General against t$ese guys you can#il% t$e# 5it$ strong pairsdra5s= so it supports raising a Hx $and t$at can #a%e strongpairs>

(n t$e first scenario 5e didn't raise H*s due to s$ort stac%s= but t$at 5as only because 5e5ere afraid t$at :TG 5ould also co#e along 5it$ a $and t$at #ig$t do#inate us= also 5e'drat$er $a8e 6s in a #ulti5ay pot= as opposed to %*s ;5it$ #uc$ less potential postflop (t

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#ay see# so#e5$at counterintuiti8e and as if ( 5as contradicting #yself= but focus on eac$facet of t$e $and and $o5 one $and can be a #ore profitable raise t$an t$e ot$er= if t$ey arein fact profitable at all> F@(@ ('d rat$er raise 6s in t$e first scenario= t$oug$ its close bet5eenraising and folding>

Lets focus on a scenario 5$ere it 5ould be preferable to isolate 5it$ H*sHTo!*o= etc>

/ou are in t$e E9 5it$ !*o= MP li#ps= $e $as bet5een and +,,))'s and plays .,?,?+>T$e button is a tig$t player= and t$e blinds are also on t$e so#e5$at tig$t side= #aybe playingas #any as 3C of $ands= but less 99P> T$is player folds to cbet ,CA of t$e ti#e> !s $isfold to cbet increase= so s$ould your isolating range= and 8isa 8ersa

Button

T$e )utton is t$e #ost fun and interesting position to be in> T$ere are #ore opportunities toraise= 3bet= isolate= and cold call t$an any ot$er position> /ou 5ill play loosest on t$e button>

/our button raising range can be 8ery 5ide or 8ery tig$t= it really is all about t$e ga#e you arein> (t is 8ery possible to raise ,C of your $ands on t$e button profitably> Lets get into t$erange1

--A

!oA

H*o

*oA ;offsuit - gapper T$is range is 8ery tentati8e= it can be 5idened andtig$tened by as #uc$ as +C based on your table>

Looser games:

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T$e button is so co#plicated t$at ( 5ant to gi8e you so#e 8ery straig$tfor5ard guidelines andlet you co#e to your o5n conclusions as to 5$et$er or not a button raise is profitable>

!nyt$ing you 5ould raise fro# MP you can open or e8en isolate 9T)> T$e ot$er $ands 5illput you to decisions in loose ga#es> (n loose ga#es 5$ere t$ere are a lot of li#p?calls you5ant to a8oid t$ings li%e 6.s or *o> (f for t$e #ost part you can isolate t$e one don% 5$o isli#p?calling lean to5ards a H*s or a *o>

(n t$e e8ent t$at people are loose but 5ill li#p?fold 5it$ a decent fre0uency you can useal#ost t$e entire range= #aybe cut out -C of $ands or so= "ust t$e botto# of t$e range ;6.s?6s= !!*o= T6s?*s= .s?6s= !-?.s= etc (f you prefer so#e $ands and disli%e ot$ers t$at'sfine= earlier analysis s$ould pro8ide exa#ples of $o5 certain $ands are easier to play#oreprofitable t$an ot$ers in certain situations>

(n t$e e8ent people are li#p?calling or t$ere are fre0uently #ulti?5ay flops ;3 or #ore players

T$e #ost i#portant factor 5$en opening t$e button is t$e blinds tig$tness> Most T!Gs ;tig$t?aggressi8e player< 5ill be 8ery tig$t 99P> T$is #eans t$at on t$e button you can profitablyraise "ust about any t5o suited cards= any ace= and #ediu# offsuit cards ;t$oug$= t$ese lesst$an anyt$ing

T$e idea $ere is t$at players 5ill "ust 5illingly gi8e up *,C of t$eir $ands= and e8en if t$ey do#a%e it to t$e flop 5e 5ill $a8e position> ( t$in% for t$e #ost part tig$t players are going to li#pstrictly s#all pairs= suited connectors= and H type $ands fro# early position> Ta%e t$is into

account t$at t$ese types of $ands are $it or #iss> T$ey 5ill cf t$e flop or try and play a big$and 5it$ t$ese= 5$ic$ #a%es it easy on us because if 5e are 5ea% 5e can gi8e up our $and5it$ ease> (t lets us select 5$en 5e 5ant to play big pots 5it$ opponents> ( a# far #oreinclined to isolate a 5ea% tig$t player 5it$ a #arginal $and= t$an a loosepassi8e player>

ta!k si"es:

Li%e #ost t$ings as stac% si&es gro5 so does opening range and your strategy> ( "ust said > (a# far #ore inclined to isolate a 5ea% tig$t player 5it$ a #arginal $and= t$an a loosepassi8eplayer> (n t$e e8ent ( a# deep ;-,,))A< t$is e0uation c$anges and ( 5ould (nstead rat$erplay 5it$ a loosepassi8e type because ( %no5 t$at all #y t5o?pairA type $ands can really get

paid off by t$ese guys= and ( can also cbetextract 5it$ + or no pair type $ands>Sa#e t$ing if you 5ant to open into looser blinds= you can raise t$e entire range plus #ore5it$ #arginal $ands because you 5ill $a8e position and an unli%ely $olding t$at $astre#endous potential and 5ill often be a disguised $and> !s stac% si&es s$rin% a8oid 6.s type$ands and e#brace Hs or !*o= as t$ey are t$e bread and butter of t$e botto# of your range>

/ou s$ould focus on trying to raise 5$en a loose player li#ps and t$ere are tig$t players to

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act be$ind you ;all of t$ese situations are tal%ing about #arginal $ands= your core ranges$ould al5ays be raised

So lets say a .,-,+ li#ps in MP= you are 9T) 5it$ s= $e $as about ++,))'s= and youco8er> T$e blinds are a nit and a -*+. t$at folds )) to steal often ;t$is is a statistic yous$ould be using< /ou can profitably raise your s= probably *,))A in t$is situation ;effecti8estac%s (n t$e e8ent t$at t$e )) plays .,C of $is $ands and t$e S) is a -,+ tag= you

s$ould raise t$is $and less often>:nderstand t$at t$ese situations are fictional= real po%er at a table online is co#pletelydifferent fro# table to table= eac$ one uni0ue> ust focus on e8ery factor= for exa#ple t$eloose player in t$e ))> 7e #a%es you 5ant to raise t$is $and less often= but let's say t$e li#pfolds to *,C of cbets>T$at #a%es you #ore inclined to raise> Eonsider all t$ese t$ings 5$en#a%ing your decision= and t$en co#e up 5it$ a solution ;to raise or fold

F@(@ if so#eone folds *,C of cbets ('ll isolate t$e# 4BR/ loose= al#ost regardless of ot$erplayers in t$e $and= unless t$e blinds are t5o loose s$orties or so#et$ing of t$is nature>

&'etting:

7ere your range is also t$e 5idest> /ou 5ant to 3bet on t$e button far #ore t$an any position;go after people in position= not 99P 7ere you probably 5ant your ratio to be 31-= so fore8ery 3 8alue 3bets= you t$ro5 in t5o bluffs> T$is e0uation c$anges against #ore adeptopponents t$at 5ill really play bac% at you and go after you preflop or after t$e flop= but untilan opponent s$o5s a 5illingness to co#bat our strategy continue to exploit $is 5ea% play and%eep t$e pressure on>

@$en 3betting you #ust first consider position> T$e E9 is 5$en our opponent's range is t$e5idest= and t$e position 5e 3bet t$is player t$e #ost> T$e second t$ing ;but #ost i#portantt$ing< is t$e C of $ands t$is player raises> T$is 5as discussed in an earlier street= but t$egeneral idea is t$at t$e #ore raises t$is player #a%es t$e #ore 5e can 3bet> 7o5e8er=

players t$at raise 5ay too #uc$= say a 3-6= a8oid 6s and lean to5ards !"o> T$ese players5ill fre0uently see t$e flop 5it$ you and you 5ant to s$o5 up 5it$ a strong pair type $and>

T$e t$ird part of t$e e0uation is $istory> (f a player %eeps folding to 3bets or cf's e8ery#issed flop continue to pound on $i#> (f a player is good and 5illing to .b bluff or cr a flop5it$ a dra5 or co#plete air= a8oid bluffing so #uc$ and lean to5ards #ore 8alue 3bets>

!l#ost any range= ratio= principal= idea or strategy in t$is boo% can be #anipulated to exploityour opponent= you "ust $a8e to analy&e $is play and co#e to conclusions about $o5 $eplays> T$en figure out $o5 to exploit it ;a si#ple exa#ple of t$is is so#eone 5$o 3bets ,CAof $ands= $ere you cr t$is player 5it$ air to exploit $i# cbetting so often 5it$ #arginal$oldings= t$us exploiting $i# and #a%ing you #oney> (t also #a%es you $arder to play against

and $elps your #ade $ands get paid off by 5ea% $oldings ust c$ec% it and ta%e do5n unraised pots> /ou $and 5ill constantly #a%e

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better pairs and you'll 5in #ore t$an $ad you raised> !lso it #a%es your life a lot easierplaying less pots 99P>

&'etting:

4s :TG1 Nor#ally A and !H= 5it$ a 8ery rare bluff> So#eti#es ( only 3b HHA if $es a tig$t

player li%e ++.= ( don't %no5 5$at people $a8e told you but you are allo5ed to flat call TT?=!= and !H 8s :TG fro# blinds> F@(@ if its a s0uee&e ('ll 3b #ore often> (ll also include ifits a sL!G or so#et$ing li%e -++*>>

4s MP1 Sa#e t$ing as :TG= ( 3b A against t$e looser ones= against L!Gs ('ll e8en t$ro5 inTT> ( also 5ill 3b !H about +,,C= and ! far #ore fre0uently as 5ell= probably ,Cdepending> !lso= ( start to add crap li%e .s and T*o>

4s E91 TTA= !A= !"s= and Hs li%e $alf of t$e ti#e= t$e offsuit 8ersions li%e 3,C of t$e ti#e>!gain #ixing in #ore rando# crap>

8s )TN1 Rarely **= TTA= != Hs a lot of t$e ti#e= and a bunc$ of "un%> Re#e#ber t$is rangeis entirely a reflection of #y opponent= $o5 loose $e is= and 5$at ('# trying to acco#plis$>

!gainst players t$at call a lot of 3bets ( include H and ! #ore often> !gainst players t$atoften fold to 3b= #ore s or *o>

No5 ( 5ant to inter"ect and add t5o t$ings t$at 5ere re0uested and t$at ( co#pletelyneglected t$e first ti#e around1

S0uee&ing1

! s0uee&e play is 3betting 5$ere t$ere is + or #ore callers> 9r 5$en so#eone is isolating t$ea don%> T$e t$eory 5it$ bot$ is t$at your line loo%s 8ery strong and 5ill yield a $ig$ successrate and profit you greatly= also t$at if so#eone is isolating a 5ea% play $e does so 5it$ a lotof $ands= #ost of 5$ic$ cannot continue to a 3bet>

!s you #o8e up people 5ill start to go apes$it 5$en you s0uee&e and counteract it byt$ro5ing in a decent a#ount of .bets= 5$ic$ is 5$y against #ost opponents ( tone do5n #y3betting fre0uency ;because t$ey t$in% ( s0uee&e alot #ore t$an ( actually do 7ere are so#e don'ts about s0uee&ing1

+> 2on't you e8er s0uee&e ! or or TT unless you are going to call a s$o8es$o8eo8er a .bet> /ou are actually t$ro5ing #oney onto an ignited grill if you do t$is>

-> 2on't s0uee&e if t$e caller;s< $as li%e +, big blinds> ( see t$is all t$e ti#eD peoples0uee&e 6s and t$en a don% 5it$ +,?-,)) calls 5it$ !x> !gain burning #oney>

3> 2on't s0uee&e a tig$t :TG raiser>

.> 2on't s0uee&e if your opponent is cra&y and you aren't going to co##it 5it$ your $and=i>e> ! or **= so#et$ing 8ery #arginal>

> 2on't s0uee&e 6s or !s or T*o if you %no5 t$e o8er caller is a don% and 5ill o8er callyour 3bet and gi8e you proble#s> F@(@ t$is is a $uge proble# 99P and a s#allproble# (P>

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16/44

6> (f t$e PFR calls your s0uee&e ;assu#ing $es so#e sort of T!G< $e probably $as **AHs !sA> Probably ne8er !H> T$is #eans proceed cautiously on t$e flop= probablydont bet so#et$ing li%e .3 unless you plan on s$o8ing t$e turn> ;li%e if you $a8e !x or*s or so#et$ing= don't bet t$at flop unless you're s$o8ing t$e turn

all till you fall9r s0uee&e until $e catc$es on> So#e players are 5ea% tig$t as s$it and cannot $elpt$e#sel8es> (n 7: people tal% about opening e8ery button as being #at$e#atically correctuntil your opponent ad"usts> Sa#e t$ing $ere= or any5$ere in po%er= until your opponent gi8esyou a reason not to s0uee&e ;i>e> .betting or calling and s$o8ing flops< %eep s0uee&ing andcbetting> ust ta%e $is #oney if $e 5ants to gi8e it to you> T$is can actually be appliedany5$ere= so lets do anot$er itali&ed t$ing1

Until your opponent gies you a reason to stop e*ploiting him, keep e*ploitinghim. +eep suee"ing until he does something a'out it, keep alue 'etting until

he raises, keep dou'le 'arreling until he peels-raises the turn, et!.

(f your opponents are 5ea%tig$t ;T!G players at -?-,,NL< ( 5ould probably s0uee&e t$e#in al#ost e8ery situation ( could 5it$ any "un%y type $and until= li%e 5e "ust tal%ed about= t$eyad"ust> Si#ply because it loo%s so strong and it is so profitable> Really you are allo5ed tos0uee&e 5$ate8er your fa8orite "un%y $and is= s#all pairs= suited aces= SE's= *o orso#et$ing= but you can do it 5it$ ! or H as 5ell>

S0uee&e 99P only if your opponent is 8ery 5ea% and 5ill gi8e you tons of credit> ( greatlydecrease #y s0uee&ing fre0uency ;"ust as an o8erall ga#e plan= i put less #oney in 99P

S0uee&e (P1 !ll day long2on't you e8er bet a s0uee&ed pot flop unless1

+> /ou are going to s$o8e or cr t$e turn>

-> /our opponent folds a lot= so $is calls$o8e 2BF #eans you're crus$ed>

T$is is sort of confusing= 5$at ( don't 5ant you to do is "ust cbet in a RR pot and be done 5it$t$e $and if called 5$en you $a8e air> /ou $a8e no idea $o5 exploitable t$is is to toug$opponents> (t is 9H to cf a RR pot 5it$ air>

( 5ant to segue t$is s0uee&ing discussion into a 3betting discussion in general>

@$en you 3bet a player and get called you s$ould %no5 sort of 5$at t$ey $a8e> Ne8er 3bet

bluff a don% 99P ;a loose one= not a 5ea%tig$t one ('# typically really tig$t in t$esesituations> So lets loo% at 5$at t$eoretically if you 3b a L!GT!G player t$ey could call 5it$(P1

I--A= 6sA= !TsA= !oA= HoAJ

Sure t$ey could t$ro5 in rando# $ands 5e can't account for= but typically unless youropponent is #a%ing a $uge play t$ese are t$e only $ands t$at 5ill e8er really s$o5 up 5it$ in

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17/44

t$eir range> F@(@ it is probably 5eig$ted to5ards A ! and H>

99P is a bird of a different color> (f a T!G player calls #y 3b 99P early in #y session or 5it$no $istory ('# insta?putting $i# on TTA or ! exactly> ( cbet H and !xx boards= ot$er5ise ( cfif ( $a8e air (P> Si#ilar to 5$at ( tal%ed about in s0uee&ing is really "ust 3betting t$eory ingeneral>

:nless your opponent gi8es up to a bunc$ of 3bets you absolutely are not allo5ed to cbet aRR flop and cf t$e turn> To be $onest= your opponents 5ill nor#ally flat call t$e flop 5it$5ea%is$ pairs or float 5it$ o8ers #aybe> Bit$er 5ay 5$en t$e turn co#es around it is +,,Cperfectly o% to double barrel bluff t$e turn> ust t$in% about $o5 you play against people3betting= also t$in% about it logically= loo% at a flop cbet call range and a turn cbet call range>9ne is #uc$ bigger t$an t$e ot$er>

Last t$ing ( 5ant to say for 3betting is1

( 3b TT?HH and t$e flop ca#e !xx= 5$at do i do @ell= if you $a8e a read on 5$at youropponent can flat call 5it$ t$en you can ad"ust= but read less betting ;a%a bluffing< is nor#allyt$e best option because too often your opponent 5ill put you to t$e test and ( see so #anyposts of players #a%ing #ista%es 99P 5$ere t$ey c$ec% HH on !xx and get run o8er or

8alue stac%ed> )asically 5it$out $istory and a read you need to "ust betfold>

@$en you 3bet ;or do anyt$ing in po%er for t$at #atter< you need to $a8e a goal t$at you aretrying to acco#plis$> Lets tal% for a #inute about 3betting don%s 8s regs>

@$en you 3bet a don% ;assu#e +,,bb eff= as t$e stac%s gro5 t$is concept c$anges< you aresi#ply trying to get 8alue fro# you $and t$at 7!S postflop 8alue in a rerasied pot ;('# notgoing to tell you 5$at does and doesn't 8s a don%= you guys s$ould toy around and try andfigure it out for yourself

For t$is reason you 3bet certain $ands= and $ands t$at are closer ;('ll gi8e you one exa#ple /our fre0uencies c$ange based on position= stac%s= andexactly 5$at type of player it is> (f $e's t$e type t$at 5ill fold to a cbet on Hxx 8 often= ( call#ore often t$an ( reraise>

9% so no5 5$at about a regular

@$en 5e 3bet a regular 5e are trying to de8elop an aggressi8e i#age and con8ey t$at 5ecan $a8e 6s and !!= lea8ing our opponent in a #ur%y situation 5it$ TT or !> !ny5ay ( "ust5anted to gi8e you guys a pus$ in t$e rig$t direction= t$e rest you'll $a8e to figure out on youro5n>

Flop Play

onk 'etting (leading):

T$is is a 8ery interesting part of t$e ga#e= 8ery fe5 players do it> ( don't do it t$at #uc$= butt$ere are situations 5$ere it is opti#al> T$e reason ( don't do it t$at #uc$ is because peoplecbet 5ay too #uc$ in general= so c$ec%?raising is typically better> 2on't "ust don%bet to

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18/44

don%bet= $a8e a purpose>

Typically c$ec%calling a 5ea% flus$ dra5= say 6s on ss isn't profitable= c$ec% raisingM(G7T be profitable but again its a grayis$ area> T$ere is absolutely not$ing 5rong 5it$leading t$is flop 5it$ your $and> T$e great t$ing about leading t$is board 5it$ our $and is 5ecan 8ery easily betfold= and since our opponent $as no idea 5$at our lead range is ;until 5ebuild up extensi8e $istory< in $is eyes 5e could $a8e anyt$ing> @e can be sure 5e're dead if

$e raises>T$e first ti#e ( lead into so#eone ( 5ill nor#ally $a8e so#e 5ea% $and= 5$at ( 5ill ne8er do islead any dra5#ade $and and c$ec%fold t$e turn> So#eti#es ( decide to lead H on !xx orT* on H6 or so#et$ing= but if ( $a8e *ss 5it$ a bac% door flus$ dra5 on Hxx you betterbelie8e ('# betting t$e flop and turn= no #atter 5$at t$e turn is>

( don't t$in% you s$ould lead strong #ade $ands 5it$out a 8ery good reason to= #ost notably$istory of your opponent putting you on 5ea% $ands ;$e's seen you bf leads or s$o5do5nsecond pair or so#et$ing 9t$er5ise ( %eep s$o5ing up 5it$ se#i?bluffs> )all till you fall>So#eti#es ( lead H on li%e Hxx or so#et$ing= especially if t$ere's a flus$ dra5 planning tobet call t$e flop and c$ec% raise a non club turn= but cc and cring so#e opponents is fine as

5ell= "ust re#e#ber you are at t$e 8ery top of your range so against loosegoodis$ playersyou probably $a8e to loo% up - streets and nor#ally 3 if you cc>

@$at you 5ant to not do is lead ** on or on H.- unless your opponent is bad and it5ill #a%e t$e $and easy to play because good players 5ill see rig$t t$roug$ t$at ;e8en #e$T!Gs can beat t$e s$it out of t$is strategy< "ust because its so transparent and bad> (f youropponent respects your lead for 5$ate8er reason= go for it= but re#e#ber= gotta bet t$e flopand turn= no #atter 5$at>

$ontinuation etting

Eontinuation betting is one of t$e #ost i#portant ele#ents of your strategy> (t allo5s you to5in a 5ealt$ of s#all pots and #a%es you difficult to play against if executed correctly>

Let's focus on situations to profitably cbet1

T$e first scenario is t$e easiest to understand and grasp !gainst an opponent 5it$ a $ig$ foldto cbet ;,C or $ig$er< you can cbet basically your entire range profitably> @$en cbetting you5ant to $a8e so#e $ope for your $and= i>e> cbetting *s on - is generally so#et$ing you5ant to a8oid doing= except against t$ese players> T$ere are t$ree instances 5$ere ( do not

cbet against t$ese players1

T$ey are s$ort and #y $and $as 8ery little potential> ;i>e> *s on -= or -- on T* (n t$ese spots ('ll c$ec%8ery strong $ands li%e ** on *-- flop or so#et$ing of t$is nature> ;F@(@ ne8er c$ec%** on so#et$ing li%e *.cc= anyt$ing 5it$ texture li%e t$is= e8en if t$ey do go bluff

18


19/44

cra&y 5$en you c$ec% flops !not$er situation ( 5ould c$ec% 5ould be so#et$ing li%e!H or !! on H-= H--= H*. ;rainbo5= bet all flops 5it$ any F2

( $a8e on H-r ;9r any second pair type $and 5$ere you are in a @! ;5aya$ead )y c$ec%ing you can get 8alue fro# li%e ;on t$isboard< on later streets> 9t$er @!@) situations include li%e TT on = or !- on !H6>

No5 lets focus on loosebad players t$at are calling 5ay too #any cbets ;calling 5ay too#uc$ in general Lets assu#e t$ey fold to cbet ,C or less of t$e ti#e> !gainst t$ese playersyou $a8e to be #ore cautious and gi8e t$ings up #ore easily= )efore ( go for5ard ( 5ant tointer"ect and #ention t$at you generally 5ant to be cbetting al#ost e8ery single !ce or Hing$ig$ board= as players 5ill 8ie5 your range 5eig$ted to5ards t$ese types of $ands ;andcoincidently t$ey 5ill not $a8e t$ese types of $ands 8ery often T$ey 5ill gi8e you anextraordinary a#ount of credit>

B8en against t5o opponents ( 5ould cbet t$e 8ast #a"or of !ce and Hing $ig$ boards;pending stac% si&es and notes

T$is is so#e5$at contrary to 5$at ('8e been describing about $o5 to play against t$ese typesof players ;being 8ery close to t$e 8est For t$e #ost part ('# not going to indulge in anyco#plicated triple barrel spots= but say 5e raise in BP ;early position< and cbet a !. ;t5oflus$ or rainbo5< and get instantly called by a player playing so#e5$ere bet5een 3,?.C of$is $ands and folds to 8ery fe5 cbets ;as described earlier 9ne of #y fa8orite indicators fora good doubletriple barrel spots is t$e SN!P flop call> T$is can ne8er be a big $and ;or 8eryrarely< because if $e does $a8e ! or .. ;and in so#e instances !. )y instantly calling ;bt5 t$is is so#et$ing you s$ouldfocus on a8oiding= a lot of infor#ation can be dra5n on ti#ing< $e's basically telling you My

range $ere is so#e ! type $and= or a dra5>Pending so#e read t$at t$is player 5ill ne8er e8er fold TP ;5$ic$ is unco##on for t$e ga#esyou'll play in= for t$e #ost part t$ese loosebad players 5ill not be stac%ing off 5it$ #arginal+pair in t$is particularly type of situation< you 5ill be able to profitably double or triple barrel> (nt$is situation ( 5ould #ost lo8e to $a8e a guts$ot or F2 #yself ;against t$ese players ('ll put alot of pressure on 5it$ F2's= F2Kflus$ dra5< so you $a8e so#e e0uity>

T$e point is put t$e pressure on (f t$ey are going to snap call your flop bet and $a8e a ranget$at is for t$e #ost part on t$e 5ea% side ;in t$is instance t$e strong $ands $e could $a8e are

!= ..= and !.= $o5e8er is calling range is M:E7 5ider< put t$e pressure on> 2on't besurprised if $e ta%es a 5$ile to call t$e turn (f $es a particularly 5ea% player t$is 5ill rarely be$i# trying to disguise $is 8ery strong $and inducing a triple= it 5ill be $i# genuinely 5ea%trying to figure out 5$et$er to call or fold (f t$is is t$e case ( probably fire a ri8er barrel>

!lso if you $a8e t$e opportunity to bet so#et$ing li%e O** or O+** on t$e ri8er or so#et$ing (suggest it= t$is bet si&e 5ill terrify t$e#>

!ny5ay 5$en t$in%ing about t$eorystrategy of approac$ing t$ese call?too?#any cbet typeplayers= t$e si#ple ans5er is to tig$ten your range ;5$ic$ 5idenstig$tens based on stac%si&es= don't forget< and si#ply cf t$e flop> T$ere are situations ( don't #ind a cc or a 8alue

19


20/44

bet 5it$ li%e !TA or so#et$ing> Say t$e board is li%e T**= so#e loose guy calls 99P= ( don't#ind cbetting ! $ere because $i# $a8ing a better $and is rare= and if $e $as so#e underpair $is e0uity suc%s> !lso say ('# blind 8s blind ;)8)< 5it$ !H on 33- ;('# S)< against one oft$ese guys= ( 5ill probably cc t$is board= and pending a read cc or cf turn ;your default isfold until $e pro8es t$at $e 5ill put you on !H in t$is types of situations and try to ta%e you offof it ;F@(@ its o% to cf li%e !H on 6or so#et$ing= against t$ese guys you 5ant to be #ore cautious about cbetting #arginally= "ustloo% at t$eir fold to cbet= if its lo5 gi8e up #ore and if its $ig$ go after t$e# #ore= si#plerig$tK2

!lso %eep diligent notes about $o5 t$ey react to cbets so t$at you can ad"ust accordingly> (nposition it beco#es #ore interesting= (P ( #ix it up a lot and c$ec% tons of flops bac%=

particularly 5$en ('# #arginal ;t$is is called polari&ing your range= 5$ic$ for t$e purpose of#ost MSNL ga#es and lo5er is 9H= but funda#entally against toug$ opponents is badbecause its exploitable if t$ey figure out 5$at your doing> For t$e #ost part your opponents$ere 5ill not

@$at ( #ean 5$en ( say ( 5ant to polari&e #y range is t$at say ( raise !-cc 9T) and t$e ));T!G< calls> T$e flop is !Hr and $e c$ec%s= t$is is a great situation to c$ec% it bac%> (t's goingto be 8ery unli%ely t$at $e 5ill e8er call 5ill a 5orse $and= and 5e 5ill occasionally be cr'd offt$e best $and and 5e 5ill #iss 8alue fro# so#et$ing li%e H or ;if its suited ( 5ill onoccasion still c$ec% it bac%= "ust less fre0uently !ny5ay t$is is a great spot to c$ec% it bac%and #aybe fire t$e turn> (f t$e turn is so#et$ing li%e a Hing or ( 5ill probably c$ec% it againbecause not$ing about t$is board $as really c$anged and it 5ill still be difficult to extract= ('llprobably "ust 8bet t$e ri8er>

( 5ould probably play t$e sa#e 5ay= or ( #ig$t "ust c$ec% it do5n depending if #yopponent does or does not $a8e t$e capacity to call 5it$ 5orse> (f so#et$ing li%e a H or !peels on t$e turn or ri8er you s$ould be #ore inclined to bet because its unli%ely $e'sc$ec%ing trips and its 8ery li%ely $e t$in%s you don't $a8e trips eit$er= so $e #ig$t #a%e a#arginal call do5n> !gainst 8ery toug$ player you 5ill occasionally be ri8er cr'd 5it$ a rangeof tripsbluffs= but t$is is 8ery unco##on a#ongst e8en good players at t$ese sta%es>

$he!k/0aising

Let's no5 focus on t$e flop c$ec%?raise> For t$e #ost part you $a8e probably alreadyculti8ated an aggressi8e i#age by 3?betting your opponents= so lets suppose you slo5 it do5nand cold call preflop> For t$e #ost part 5$en 5e c$ec% raise it 5ill #ean t$at 5e $a8edefended our blinds> Lets loo% at cr situations1 ;For t$ese situations lets assu#e 5e're upagainst a LP T!G opener 5$o plays so#e5$ere bet5een -3+ and -,+>

Say 5e flat call 5it$ so#et$ing li%e 33 fro# a E9 open> T$e flop co#es T3r> T$is is not agood spot to c$ec% raise unless one of t$e follo5ing t5o conditions are #et1

/ou $a8e a reason to belie8e t$at t$e 8illain is bad and spe5y and 5ill al5ays put in5ay too #uc$ #oney 5it$ a TP or o8erpair type $and= especially if you play your $andfast>

/ou $a8e a $istory of c$ec%?raising dry boards against a decent?good opponent and $e$as reason to belie8e you are doing it 5it$ air fre0uently= so 5e cr 5it$ a #onster tobalance our range>

)ot$ of t$ese scenario's re0uire us to $a8e so#e sort of read or note on an opponent= so letsassu#e 5e are "ust 8aguely fa#iliar 5it$ $o5 $e plays and 5e $a8e $is stats> /ou 5ant toa8oid c$ec%?raising t$ese spots 5it$ strong $ands because you are polari&ing your rangebet5een airsets and it 5ill be difficult to get paid> Since 5e probably 5ill peel ;c$ec%call< a

21


22/44

$and li%e !T or ;pending $istory= as you build $istory you could cr so#et$ing li%e TP ont$is board for 8alue< 5e 5ant to si#ply cc our entire range ;of course not bluffs= it's probablya good idea to fire a5ay a cr 5it$ so#et$ing li%e ss on t$is board because you $a8ebac%door straig$t dra5s= potentially a bac%door flus$ dra5= and t5o o8ercards>

(t's a good idea to go after your opponents 5it$out $istory in t$ese spots because t$ey 5ill$a8e to be 8ery spe5y to continue 5it$ #ost of t$eir cbetting range and 5orst case scenario

you de8elop an i#age t$at you li%e to cr bluff 5$ic$ 5e can later exploit by cring 5it$ big$ands !ny5ay t$e point is 5$en you flop a #onster on a dry board start by c$ec%?calling=and go fro# t$ere>

T$is 5as #entioned in exa#ple one but no5 lets say 5e $a8e ss or 6ss on T3r ;onespade !ssu#e sa#e type of 8illain> Tt$is is a great c$ec%?raise spot because 5e $a8ebac%door dra5s or a guts$ot= and because our opponent 5ill also $a8e a toug$ ti#e $a8ing a$and strong enoug$ to continue 5it$ on t$is flop> )e #ore and #ore inclined to #a%e t$esesort of bluff cr's against players t$at cbet a lot= really anyt$ing greater t$an ,C and you cando it fairly often !s t$eir cbet C decreases so s$ould your cr fre0uency>

7istory also plays a roll= if $e ga8e up t$e first ti#e do it again Put $i# to t$e test and #a%e

$i# ad"ust or "ust get run o8er> (f $e $as seen you do it and is inclined to not gi8e credit t$enc$ange gears and "ust cf and let $i# $a8e it> !lso you s$ould see an increase in success oft$ese types of plays in #ulti5ay pots>

So say for exa#ple you $a8e been really going after a guy preflop and decide not to s0uee&eso you o8ercall so#et$ing li%e !s> T$e flop co#es 3-r= you c$ec%= t$e PFR cbet= 5$oe8ercalled preflop co#es along> /ou s$ould cr t$is spot= you $a8e assu#able bac%door flus$outs= an o8ercard= and a guts$ot> Not to #ention a ton of fold e0uity= and it appears as t$oug$you #ust $a8e a $uge $and because you "ust cr'd a particularly dry board into t5o players>

T$e ris% you run is t$e o8ercaller $a8ing a set on t$is board= $o5e8er t$is is unli%ely and int$e e8ent t$at $e does 5e s$ould $a8e a little bit of e0uity ;F@(@ it's a cr= fold to 3bet= 5e

ob8iously don't 5ant to put our #oney in 5it$ ace $ig$ and a guts$ot!s far as bet si&es go= for t$e first scenario lets assu#e your opponent cbets 6bb's into bb's=you s$ould cr to +bb's 5it$ e8eryt$ing> (n t$e second scenario= lets say your opponent cbetsbb's into +,bb's= so#eone calls= you s$ould cr to 3,bb's 5it$ your entire range ;t$is is to%eep it consistent and a8oid gi8ing a5ay so#et$ing on bet si&ing T$ese are roug$ nu#bers=

"ust %eep it so#e5$ere 5it$in t$is range and you s$ould be fine>

No5 lets i#agine 5e flop a #ade $and on a dra5y board= say 5e $a8e or on *6dd> (nt$is situation 5e instead 5ant to play our $and 0uic%ly and cr ;as discussed pre8iously= big$ands s$ould be slo5 played on dry boards 9ur opponents 5ill be far #ore inclined to play t$eir + pairbigdra5 type $ands fast to #axi#i&e fold e0uity= and since t$ey $a8e none and 5e are 5aya$ead 5e 5ant to get t$e #oney in no5>

T$ese boards s$ould on occasion also be cr'd 5it$ dra5s= but %eep in #ind t$at dependingupon t$e opponent you s$ould li%ely 5eig$t your range to5ards #ade $and rat$er t$an dra5sas you 5ill li%ely be getting #oney in be$indflipping #ost of t$e ti#e= and t$ere is li%ely a#ore opti#al 5ay to play your dra5 ;F@(@ big dra5s s$ould li%ely be played for a cr= forexa#ple *dd on 6-dd= 5$ereas T*dd s$ould be played for a cc on .-dd Iunless your

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opponent folds to crs #ore t$an #ost= in 5$ic$ case exploit t$is by cring dra5s and stonebluffs= and probably cc #ost big $ands= unless you'8e really been going after $i# and yoususpect $e is sic% of youJ

1loating

Lets first focus on floating 5it$ o8er cards> @e 5ill ne8er float 99P= it's 5ay too tric%y andco#plicated> (ts "ust ?e8> T$is #eans all of our floats 5ill be done in position> @$at 5e do byfloating is calling 5it$ a #arginal type of $ands 5it$ t$e intention of 5inning t$e $and on laterstreets>

(f 5e ne8er floated people could "ust si#ply cbet e8ery flop and gi8e up because $e %ne5 $e5asn't good on t$e turn and 5ould #a%e us 8ery easy to play against> @$en so#eone cbetsand you are in position you can raise= call= or fold> @e 5ant to balance eac$ range and raisingcertain situations si#ply isn't a good idea because our opponents 5ill reali&e 5e raise blufftoo often and 5e are basically gi8ing $i# a free pass to 3bet bluff us= or do so 5it$ a #arginal$ands> )y raising certain situations 5e gi8e a5ay t$e opportunity of a free card to #a%e our$and>

Let's suppose MP or E9 opens and 5e call (P 5it$ ss> T$e flop co#es T.r ;5it$ or5it$out a spade 9ur opponent is a nor#al T!G and cbets= 5$ic$ $e 5ill li%ely do 5it$ a bigpart of $is range> Lets say on a8erage $e opens -,C of $ands fro# t$ese positions;co#bined= #ore fro# E9 and less fro# MP

Lets see 5$at $is range loo%s li%e at best in relation to t$is board1

--A=!sA=HTsA=*sA=*sA=TsA=*s=s=!ToA=HToA=To A=To

T$ere are a lot of +pair or no pair $ands in t$ere> T$is is also a fairly conser8ati8e esti#ate=so if t$is is t$e top of $is range 5e can certainly peel> So lets say 5e call $is cbet and t$e turnis a bric%= a deuce or 6 or .= 5$ate8er= $e c$ec%s> No5 5e execute our float and bet 6,?C

of pot> 7e 5ill generally be cring or cfing t$is spot= leaning to5ards folding (f $e c$ec%calls$e probably $a8e li%e T* or ** or so#et$ing= but ( 5ould probably "ust gi8e up unless you aresure $e $as so#e under pair> (n 5$ic$ case bet t$e turn and ri8er ;F@(@ you s$ould do t$is5it$ #ade $ands li%e !T as 5ell to 8alueto5n $i#

No5 lets suppose 5e $it our gin card= a *> (f $e c$ec%s 5e $a8e no option but to bet and $ope$e cr's for us to s$o8e o8er> (f $e bets again it is probably because $e $as a strong $and= andat t$is point ( 5ould probably "ust put in a #ediu# si&ed raise> Say $e cbets +bb's into -- orso on t$e turn= ( 5ould li%ely #a%e it .,bb's to entice $i# to co#e along 5it$ so#et$ing li%e or = or to $opefully res$o8e a 5orse #ade $and>

(n t$e e8ent t$at ( %no5 #y opponent is spe5y or 5ill #a%e loose triple barrels calling is best=but raising is probably a good default> Let's no5 suppose 5e $it so#et$ing li%e t$e ! or H ofspades> (n t$is spot if $e bets again you s$ould "ust call= in t$e e8ent t$at $e is doublingrepresenting t$is card 5e still can ta%e t$e pot a5ay on t$e ri8er if $e c$ec%s= and if $e $ast$is one pair $and it's probable t$at $e 5ill 5ant to go 5it$ it after #a%ing TPTH> F@(@ raisingisn't a bad play= $o5e8er it is $ig$ 8ariance= and 5it$out a read as to $is double barrelingtendencies calling is li%ely best because if god forbid 5e do $it 5e can definitely get paid offon t$e ri8er> (f $e's super aggressi8e definitely raise t$is situation>

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No5 let's suppose 5e $it a or and $e bets> ust call again and figure out 5$at to on t$eri8er :(= you 5ill li%ely $a8e to fold unless t$e player is unusually out of line ;to a triple barrel=t$oug$ if $e gi8es you a pass li%e betting $alf pot on t$e ri8er= loo% it up and figure out 5$at$e's doing

Let's no5 suppose $e c$ec%s= "ust li%e 5$en 5e 5ere going to bet t$e turn if 5e #issed 5ebet 5it$ #ade $ands= so#e players 5ill c$ec% call so#et$ing li%e Tx or ** on t$is board

;5$ic$ is bad< and 5e s$ould certainly be loo%ing to 8alue to5n t$ese guys> Fold if cr'dpending a p$eno#enal read> ( s$ould #ention t$at despite t$is board is rainbo5 you can alsofloat so#et$ing 5it$ li%e a flus$ dra5= so let's say for exa#ple t$e flop co#es Tdc3d= youcan still float t$is board= but $o5e8er reali&e t$at on later streets you need to bluff?representt$e flus$ to #a%e t$is profitable> (t is #ore tric%y and s$ould be played around 5it$ a little= trynot to get cra&y 5it$ t$is because it is a bit $ig$er 8ariance but it's certainly a good play if youcan beco#e co#fortable representing t$e flus$ on later streets>

No5 let's say 5e $a8e T*s in t$is situation and t$e board is !-r or Hr= since 5e %no5 ouropponents 5ill cbet a ton of ! and H $ig$ boards 5e s$ould certainly t$ro5 in floats> (n t$esesituations 5e $a8e at least a bac% door straig$t dra5= if not flus$ dra5 as 5ell> Bit$er 5ay ifc$ec%ed to on t$e turn bet it +,,C of t$e ti#e ;t$at's 5$y you floated rig$t


25/44

!alling 'eing 'ad, there are a ariety of situations 3here !alling is the onlyoption

( say t$is because 5$en you call ;unless you $a8e so#e sort of 8ery strong read and you aredoing it purposefully to trap your opponent or float $i# in so#e 5ay< you 5ill generally $a8e

no idea 5$ere you are in t$e $and ;or rat$er it 5ill be 8ery a#biguousLets no5 exa#ine 5$at t$is piece of infor#ation #eans in relation to t$e $and itself> (f youend up "ust calling and so#et$ing li%e a or dia#ond peels t$e $ands t$at you t$in% are in $isrange could $a8e "ust gotten t$ere= but you don't %no5 if $e does or doesn't $a8e one of t$ose#ade $ands> (n t$e e8ent t$at 5e raise t$e flop and bet t$e turn 5e can be sure t$at $e did ordid not get t$ere because $e 5ill cr t$e turn only for 8alue= t$ese types of 5ea% players 5illne8er se#ibluff or turn #ade $ands li%e t$is into a bluff on t$e turn> (t's a 8ery sop$isticatedand tric%y play t$at generally is 5ay o8er t$eir $eads> My ad8ice is to raise t$e flop asdescribed= bet t$e turn around -,?-bbs and bet t$e ri8er s#allis$ as 5ell= 3,bbs or so>

( t$oug$t about it for a 5$ile and t$is is t$e only real type of scenario ( see you 8alue raising

t$e flop as t$e PFR= so lets get into bluffs1luffs

Typically 5$en so#e don% #inbet leads t$e flop t$ey don't $a8e #uc$ of a $and> T$is isn'tal5ays true but for t$e #ost part t$ey $a8e a pretty 5ea% range> Nor#ally a 5ea% TP at best>For t$ese types of spots ( al5ays bluffrasie t$e first ti#e around= "ust to build $istory and aread but also to put t$e pressure on $i# by putting $i# to a decision 99P= 5$ic$ is al5aystoug$> !gain it is nor#ally best to do it 5it$ t$ings li%e on Tx or 5it$ flus$ dra5s= but 5ecan't al5ays be t$at pic%y> Let's loo% at a #ore co#plicated spot1

@e $a8e * or ! on r> (f a don%is$ type player co#es at you 5it$ a bigger lead= say $ebets 6))'s into ))'s> T$e first 0uestion you 5ant to as% yourself is 5$at does $e $a8e (f

$es t$e trappy type of player and you'8e seen $i# slo5play sets to t$e ri8er or 5ent for a ri8ercr 5it$ an ob8iously strong #ade $and= or t$e last ti#e you sa5 $i# $a8e a #onster andc$ec%ed t$e flop you can i##ediately eli#inate t$at fro# $is range>

So t$at #eans $e $as a strong5ea%TP= 5ea%er pairs= or air> Let's say t$at $e 3bets A andt$at A is also unli%ely based on $istory of $i# ccing t$ese types of $ands> So in t$e e8entt$at $e is basically ne8er leading t$ese $ands $is range is going to be super 5ea%= and (5ould for sure bluffraise $ere> !s al5ays its 8ery nice to $a8e a redra5 to t$e straig$t or t$eace= but really your $and can be !TE ;any t5o cards< because you %no5 t$at $is range isgenerally pretty 5ea%> Ne8er run #ulti street bluffs $ere= its too fancy> ('8e seen calldo5ns t$at#ade no sense>

Eoincidently ( play ! on t$is board t$e sa#e 5ay= "ust because ( %no5 if $e calls t$e flop;since ( played #y $and fast< $e is li%ely t$in%ing ('# bluffing and $as #ade t$e decision tocall at least one #ore bet> So 5$en you get lead into big= t$in% about $is range= if $e can't$a8e a big $and $ere its ti#e to raise> (f $e can $a8e a big $and= or you don't %no5= itsprobably ti#e to fold> 9n rare occasions it's o%ay to bluffraise t$e gutterball= or !H for 6 outs>2on't #a%e t$is a $abit unless $es folding>

@$at ( tried to outline about bluff raising against don%s is to figure out t$eir range= and if its

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5ea% to exploit it by bluffing> (f it's strongun%no5n exploit it by folding ;pretty si#ple= rig$t (t'sa5eso#e t$at don%s don't balance t$eir ranges @it$out $istory calling 5it$ HxA is probably best= $o5e8er if $e calls t$e raise and triesto #a%e it to s$o5do5n e8er 5it$ say ** for exa#ple you need to start raising HxA to balanceyour range= also to #a%e it i#possible for $i# to lead and t$en call a raise> !lso li%e #ostt$ings it's a5eso#e to $a8e a gutterballo8ercardbac%door flus$ dra5> T$is is going to lead#e to anot$er italici&ed piece of strategy gold1

2Until your opponent ad4usts, keep e*ploiting him

T$is can be applied in #any 5ays= but t$e #ost co##on are bluff raising $is leads= cring $iscbets= or 3betting $i# (P> :ntil $e does so#et$ing about it ;3bets.betscalls do5n etc< yous$ould %eep doing it ;unless you "ust don't 5ant $is #oney

So say $e does it again next orbit= "ust raise again> ;F@(@ t$is situation is basically t$e sa#eon an ace $ig$ board= $e %no5s you're gonna cbet t$is t$ing a s$itload and $e doesn't 5ant tocc

/ou $a8e !-dd 9T)> ! good T!G= -,+6= flats you fro# t$e ))> T$e flop is dd> 7e leads=you s$ould1

$allGross ( %no5= but calling is actually best $ere> My reasoning is $e 5ill probably t$in% you areraising #ost F2's $ere= so getting paid on later streets is going to be 8ery easy> !lso for t$e#ost part $is b3b range $as a lot #ore @)S) $ands t$an @! $ands= and #ost of @! $andsare dra5ing al#ost dead>

T$e only $ands ( raise in t$ese type of spots are #onster dra5s ;li%e !dd


27/44

or < and plain bluffs> ( a# polari&ing #y range= but polari&ing your range is 9H a decenta#ount of t$e ti#e= because

/our opponent could potentially not %no5 5$at polari&ing your range is and

B8en if $e does $e probably 5on't e8er $a8e enoug$ $istory%no5 $o5 to use t$atinfor#ation to $is ad8antage>

My range $as bluffs in it because1 7e's seen #e $a8e a #onster $ere before or

('8e seen $i# bf t$is spot>

!ny5ay call= if you #a%e your flus$ bet big on t$e turn and ri8er> 7e li%ely 5on't gi8e youcredit> !lso= if you get t$ere and $e bets again raise s#all enoug$ to 5$ere $e t$in%s you canbluff t$is spot so#eti#es but big enoug$ to 5$ere $e's pretty #uc$ gonna $a8e to loo% youup on t$e ri8er for your stac% ;deep c$anges t$ings= you are going to $a8e to figure out $o5 to#axi#i&e 8alue deep ust try to t$in% about $o5 $e plays and 5$at $ands $e'll pay you off5it$ and $o5 to get t$ose $ands to put t$e #ost in> T$e last t$ing to specify about t$is $and ist$at ('ll probably peel e8ery non?pairing turn if $e doubles #e and t$at ( c$ec% bac% t$e ace to1

get 8alue on t$e ri8er

not get 8alue to5ned

let $i# dra5 to a second best $and>

5ot 6s Pre 1lop 0aiser

T$ere are a fe5 cool spots to bluff rasie 5$en you flatted> Monotone and rainbo5 boards

co#e to #ind specifically>Let's say you $a8e 66 ;5it$ or 5it$out t$e spade< /ou call an BP open fro# a T!G= t$e flop isT.sss or Hsss eit$er one is fine> 7e cbets ;5$ic$ bt5 $is cbetting range $ere is any PP5it$ a spade= sets= flus$es= any !s= any Hing= #ost 0ueens= #ost s= and probably so#erando# stuff li%e !o dd Gi8en t$is range and littleno $istory bet5een you guys= $o5#uc$ of $is range can really stand a raise on t$is board B8en so#et$ing li%e !s is li%eracingdead 8s all of your 8alue raises> ust si#ply put= #ost of t$is range cannot continue toa raise= so raising is far superior to calling or folding> !lso it de8elops an i#age so t$at you 5ille8entually stac% !! or so#et$ing big>

!not$er cool spot to bluff raise is so#et$ing li%e H*r or !r 5it$ T or T*= "ust si#plybecause $e is going to $a8e +pair at best= mostof t$e ti#e and if $e decides to call 5eredra5 etc> /ou don't e8en need a dra5 $ere $onestly= "ust turn -- into a bluff raise= it #a%esyou toug$ to play against and 5ill fre0uently ta%e do5n t$e pot= because fro# t$e oppositestandpoint= $o5 t$rilled are you if you $a8e !H! and so#eone raises t$is spot

T$e last spot ( 5ant to tal% about is in #ulti 5ay pot situations> T$in% of t$ese situations li%epostflop s0uee&es>

Say :TGMP opens= E9 calls= 5e call 9T) 5it$ 6ss= !Tss or > T$e flop is .r ;5it$ t$e

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spade PFR cbets= E9 calls= your opti#al play $ere is to raise= all of our $ands $a8e outs;alt$oug$ far less t$an t$e ot$er t5o< if called= and it "ust loo%s super strong> T$is playloo%s li%e you $a8e a set ;its 8ery toug$ to represent a set postflop 5$en bluffing= t$is is li%et$e one spot> !lso= it 5or%s great to cr t$is situation 5it$ li%e an o8ercard and )2F2 orso#et$ing "ust because it loo%s t$at strong So say PFR cbets +,))'s into +3))'s= E9 calls=('d probably #a%e it .,))'s ;also do t$is 5it$ sets= t$is is called balancing your range< and

ob8iously fold to a s$o8e> (f t$e E9 o8ercalls $e $as a set or $e is RB!LL/ bad= eit$er 5ayc$ec% t$e turn if you #isspic%up a dra5>

(f t$e PFR calls= only bet if you $it a gin card li%e *s for !T= or t$e 3s for 6 ;and ob8iously t$e )et si&ing for t$e turn is all about 5$at you t$in% of your opponent= if $e t$in%s t$at $alfre#aining stac% si&es loo%s insanely strong= bet t$at= ot$er5ise s$o8e> ;F@(@ you do notneed $uge dra5s to #a%e t$is sort of play= so long as for t$e #ost part your range is polari&edbet5een #onsters and bluffs its a good play= gi8en a clean i#age> T$is #eans t$e board isN9T t5o tone ('# ne8er surprised 5$en ( see TT goto t$e felt or !H 3b bluff> (f $e 3bets "ust s$o8eand get it in t$ere= calling gi8es $i# too #any opportunities to get a5ay fro# it and too fe5 toi#pro8e and payoff> F@(@ t$is is a $orrible bluff raise spot 5it$out $istory of you stac%ing $i#5it$ li%e !! after flatting>

T$e second spot is if you flop -prA on a dra5y board so you $a8e li%e * or on H*ss=definitely raise and try to go 5it$ it>

T$e last spot is "ust li%e 5$en t$e board is !3- or !-- or so#et$ing and you flatted !H ;f5i5t$is is #uc$ better 5$en t$e board is paired= you definitely 5ant to play it fast and try and getit in on t$e flop 5$en $e t$in%s you are bluffing ;because seriously= besides 0uadssets 5$atcould you $a8e on t$ese boards

8ou should generally 'e ery sta''y at unraised pots (3hi!h implies you are

from the 'linds and %%P) 'e!ause in the situations # am going to des!ri'e it isgoing to look like you hae a moderately to ery strong hand and intend to playit fast 'y leading out %%P s your opponents range that 3ill 'e 3eak in relation

to the 'oard

ry 'oards

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T$is is t$e #ost co##on and significant scenario to ta%e do5n unraised pots> Say t$e boardis --r= 3r= T-r= T33r= -3*r= -r= H.r= .r= etc etc you 5ant to stab at t$ese boards allt$e ti#e>

Let's first focus on t$e paired boards and let's use *33r as our exa#ple> (f you are t$e S) oryou are t$e )) and t$e S) c$ec%s to you= bet pot 5it$ your entire range ;gi8en so#e readabout so#eone li#ping !! or S) ccing t$is spot (t is going to loo% li%e you $a8e a * at least

and generally people 5ill "ust go a5ay because t$ey %no5 t$at you can $a8e a t$ree= and 5e%no5 t$at our opponents 8ery seldo# 5ill> !lso don't forget to lead your trips $ere> !lso becautious> 9nce called "ust gi8e up 5$en you $a8e air>

T$e paired board t$ing is pretty si#ple= let's no5 go into t$e 5orld of 3r> /ou basically 5antto lead t$ese 5$en you $a8e botto# pair and a )2F2= #iddletop pair= guts$ots= Hx or !x)2F2> So#et$ing li%e !s is really opti#al because you $a8e - )2S2= a )2F2 and an o8er>So long as you $a8e a piece of t$e board you can "ust pot it ;5$en ( sa5 pot it ( #ean "ust betpot so people don't fool around 5it$ you 9nce called ( double barrel e8ery turn 5$ere (i#pro8e and cf all t$e gutters and stuff t$at #issed> 9b8iously ( %eep betting -pr= TP= etc>

!lso t$e $ands ( tal%ed about abo8e 5$ere you $a8e all t$ese cra&y redra5s= if t$e S) leads

and ( $a8e one of t$ese $ands ( nor#ally "ust pot raise $i# because loo%s super strong

7e 5ill probably be $ard struc% to continue because t$e board is so dry= and lastly

(f $e does call $es probably going to put in too #uc$ #oney 5it$ a #arginal $and= or$e $as a big $ and $i#self= so if 5e connect 5e stand to 5in a big pot>

9eay 'oards

(n general you are going to need a pretty strong dra5pairetc to lead t$ese types of spots> Solets say 5e $a8e *dd on HTdd= "ust pot t$e flop= if you get called in one spot pot t$e turn= int5o spots= probably bet li%e C of pot or so= but definitely %eep leading> T$e $ea8y boards

%ind of play t$e#sel8es= but its not a spot 5e really bluff e8er> /ou s$ould basically bedoubling your entire range unless a bad card co#es= li%e t$e flus$ $its or a . straig$t co#es>2efinitely double barrel all dra5s pending a really bad card> !lso say you $a8e li%e *o onT3= and t$e turn is a T or > i'd probably "ust bet again because e8en t$oug$ it suc%s for our$and it loo%s super strong and 5ill probably yield #ore folds t$an it s$ould>

Turn play# 3ant to prefa!e this se!tion 'y saying that # think the turn is the most misplayed street in allof online m, (u5L/;5L, dunno a'out 95L) too often people are only thinking as far asthe flop 3hi!h leads to huge leaks on the turn and rier and 3ill often lead to sti!ky spots and3ill !onsistently gie a3ay money

T$at said lets get into t$e #ost i#portant ele#ent of t$e turn1

ou'le arreling

My preface is specifically designated to tal% about $o5 players play t$e turn 99P= betting t$e

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flop and cfing t$e turn is suppose to be #ore of a rarity t$an a co##on place> 7o5e8er ( seeit $appen all t$e ti#e> ( $opefully ga8e enoug$ 5isdo# about not cbetting H on . typesituations in #y flop play section= so $opefully 5e're not in suc$ tig$t spots on t$e turn> Letsloo% at 5$en 5e double

ra3s

2ouble barrel all your dra5s> Si#ple rig$t T$e only scenario 5$ere you do not double barrelyour dra5s is 5$en you decide t$at

/ou 5ant to punis$ so#eone for constantly floating you and betting t$e turn ;your readon t$is needs to be 8ery strong= also it 5ould $elp to $a8e a big dra5 For instance you $a8e 6s onHTss= t$e turn bric%s off as a deuce and you 5ere called on t$e flop in t5o spots> (t'sti#e to cf> !lso so#et$ing ( s$ould include is 5$en you decided to cbet !Ho on .ssbecause your opponent folds to an ungodly a#ount of cbets and you pic%up t$e a t$irdspade on t$e turn and you $a8e t$e !s or Hs= t$esecount as dra5s f5i5>

< Pair or etterFor t$e #ost part t$e bf line 5ill al5ays be superior to t$e cf line on t$e turn 5it$ -prAbecause its suc$ a strong $and> T$e situations ('# cfing are li%e on * ;turn is t$e T t$atco#pletes t$e flus$ 7o5e8er= if t$e turn doesn't co#plete t$e flus$ and its still t5o tone ('dbet again to protect #y $and t$at still figures to be good a decent portion of t$e ti#e> !lso (5ant to specify t$at 5$en you $a8e a big $and don't try to cr t$e turn because it #a%es yourrange for betting 5ay too 5ea% and exploitable> @$en you $a8e a #onster "ust betbetbetand $ope to get raised> (n t$e e8ent t$at you bet and get raised on a card t$at suc%s for you=its ti#e to post a $and>

%ne pair

/ou $a8e !! or ! on T$$ or rainbo5 ;f5i5 it c$anges 5$en you $a8e !! because $e is#ore li%ely to $a8e t$e 0ueenPeople lo8e to call and 5ill lo8e to float flops> ust %eep betting to discourage $i# fro#floating and #a%e $i# #a%e a #arginal decision 5it$ a 5ea%er pair or a dra5> T$e onlysituation 5$ere you cc t$e turn is against a T!G type of player t$at you t$in% 5ill fold to adecent a#ount of double barrels but 5ill bluff if c$ec%ed to> (n t$is situation it is o% to cc t$eturn but it absolutely cannot be your default as it is 8ery exploitable and li%e ( describedearlier= it gi8es a5ay your $and strengt$ and t$e initiati8e 99P= so#et$ing t$at is not 8ery fun>2o t$is rarely until you beco#e 8ery confident it your ga#e= as a default you s$ould al5aysbe double barreling t$e turn 5it$ any pair= so for exa#ple 5e $a8e or !T on t$e sa#eboard= for sure bet t$e turn 9ur opponent could definitely $a8e a 5orse pair= $earts = or airand 5e si#ply cannot c$ec% and gi8e up on t$e $and> !lso= since our range is so strong;because 5e cbet only t$e top part of our range 99P on t$e flop< t$ese 5ill be t$e toug$est$ands to play on t$e turn and ri8er= and try not to #a%e a #ista%e t$ese are a bf on t$e turnand a cf on t$e ri8er gi8en so#e read ;li%e t$at #y opponent turns #issed dra5s into bluffson t$e ri8er

#n position

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99P ( told you to double all dra5s= 5$ic$ is for t$e #ost part true for being in position= butt$ere are a fe5 situations 5$ere it is not a good idea> Lets ta%e a loo%1

/ou raise 9T) 5it$ .dd= t$e flop is !T3dd> /our opponent 5$o folds to #ore cbets t$an #ostcc's t$e flop ;a flop 5$ere 5e are gi8en a lot of respect because of t$e ace T$e turn is a ;or e8en 5orse a T< 5e s$ould1

Che#

(t is i#perati8e 5e c$ec% $ere> (n order to ta%e your opponent off of $is $and you are going tonor#ally need to fire t$ree barrels because $e doesn't 5ant to gi8e up top pair for only t5obets> T$ese spots are tric%y and $ig$ 8ariance= so c$ec%ing is best> Bspecially because if 5econnect and $e leads t$e ri8er 5e can raise and put $i# in a toug$ spot or if $e c$ec%s 5ecan nor#ally get a pretty si&able bet off on t$e ri8er t$at 5ea%er players 5ill typically loo% up>

Let's loo% at t$e scenario 5$ere 5e $a8e ! or H* ;any 5ea% TP type $and 5$ere you are ina @!@) situation< and t$e flop is !T6r or H3r= @e raise fro# LP and get a called fro# t$eblinds> T$e caller is T!Ggy and typically ne8er loose passi8e ;against LP's "ust %eep betting

T$eres no $istory bet5een you t5o 9R t$ere is $istory of you cbetting !xx or Hxx flops andgi8ing up on t$e turn> /ou cbet and $e calls> T$e turn bric%s off and $e c$ec%s it= you s$ould1

Che#

T$ere is no $istory bet5een you guys or you $a8e been gi8ing up a decent a#ount so 5$enyou c$ec% you balance your range and disguise your $and= 5it$ t$e plan to get 8alue on laterstreets> 2oubling t$is spot as an un%no5n 5ill generally only 8alue to5n yourself= becauset$ere is no $istory your opponent 5ill probably precede #ore cautiously and ( doubt you get#ore bets out of $i# on dryis$ boards> ;boards 5it$ #ore texture need to be double barreledal5ays 5it$ TP (P> /our line $ere is going to be betc$ec% bac% t$e turn;call or bet t$e ri8er=

depending= if 5e i#pro8e to t5o pair or trips #a%ing a s#all raise and folding to a 3bet isli%ely t$e best line because it loo%s 8ery bluffy< ;also don't #a%e it too s#all= you 5ant to #a%eit a si&e big enoug$ to 5$ere you could be bluffing t$is spot= but s#all enoug$ to get so#ecalls Lets loo% at a co##on and 8eryi#portant situation1

/ou raise !H fro# any5$ere ;:TG?)TN= not blinds

Flop is !dd= !Tr= !--r= Hss= HTr>

T$e only flop $ere t$at you stac% off on ;#eaning you #a%e t$e decision to go 5it$ t$e $andon t$e flop< is t$e !-- board ;assu#ing your opponent can rarelyne8er $a8e a deuce (f youare raised on t$e ot$er boards its best to "ust gi8e your $and up 5it$out $istory because youare eit$er flippingdead in #ost situations> T$is brings #e to a point t$at ( #ade in a postregarding a $and t$at ( 5ant to e#p$asi&e no5>

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2#f you 4ust fold eery marginal situation 3here you aren=t really sure 3here youare at in the end you 3on=t end up losing that mu!h money, in fa!t if you

!onsistently make in!orre!t de!isions in those situations you 3ill end up losingmoney. Therefore fold2

T$is si#ply #eans t$at in e8ery situation 5$ere you don't $a8e a strong readreason for 5$at

you are doing and your opponents range is a so#e5$at gray area= it is best to gi8e up your$and rat$er t$an #a%e #arginal decisions> ( $a8e found t$at ;and it still $appens today< 5$en( #a%e t$ese #arginal decisions ( a# 5rong far #ore often t$an ( a# rig$t and it is definitely abig lea% in #y ga#e and fro# 5$at ( $a8e exa#ined= #any ot$er peoples ga#e as 5ell>

!ny5ay bac% to t$e $and= 5e cbet 6?bb's into bb's= $e calls> Turn is ;going in order< d= $=Ts= d= s> 9ur action )BT Typically ( bet +6bb's or so in t$ese spots= e8en if ( didn't pic% upa redra5> No5 5$at ( need you to understand is t$at so#e of t$ese cards suc% for our $and=so#e don't= and also t$at you 5ill be betting t$is turn 5it$ a range>

So 5$en you $a8e a set on t$ese boards= you bet again ;except for !! on t$e !--= ( t$in% (prefer c$ec%ing and letting $i# bluff because its 8ery $ard for $i# to e8er $a8e a $and andbet t$e flop and cc t$e turn is a 8ery 5ea% line= 5$ic$ is 5$y 5e don't ta%e it $ere 5it$ a#arginal top pair< a dra5= - pair= etc you are betting because your opponent can ne8er besure 5$at you $a8e= and since t$e relati8e strengt$ of your $and 5ill be a$ead of youropponents range 5e are bfing ;bet folding t$is spot is really "ust a 5eig$ing of options= to5$ic$ 5e $a8e t$ree realistic options Ibf= cc= cfJ 5$ereas Ibc and crJ are for t$e #ost partreally big spe5 and a #a"or lea%>

So 5e loo% at our t$ree options= cfing isn't bad so#e of t$e ti#e= its definitely so#et$ing to#ix in against t$e rig$t opponent or "ust gi8en so#et$ing based on ti#ing or t$e flo5 of t$ega#e> (f you "ust feel li%e you are beat cfing is perfectly fine so#eti#es but definitely not as adefault> ccing is probably t$e t$ing ( see done t$e #ost= 5$ic$ really tilts #e because its suc$a $orrible line> )y ccing you basically gi8e up t$e initiati8e 5it$ a 5ea%is$ +pair type $and

99P= and gi8e your opponent a $uge piece of infor#ation on your $and strengt$> 2on't get#e 5rong= once and a 5$ile against t$e rig$t opponent 5$o lo8es to float t$is is 9H to do ona dryis$ board= but li%e cfing its a flo5 t$ing t$at needs to be #ixed in on occasion> 2oing itregularly 5ill constantly put you to decisions 99P> !ny5ay since t$ese options are only t$ingst$at can be utili&ed on occasion our default play is to bet and fold to a raise

!not$er t$ing ( 5ant to e#p$asi&e ;5$ic$ is t$e deri8ati8e of t$e cc 5it$ TP on t$e turn optiont$at a lot of T!Gfis$ do< is t$e fear of being raised> @$en you get raised on t$e turn it suc%st$at you $a8e to gi8e up t$e $and= but it is a great t$ing for your o8erall ga#e plan= becauseyour opponent is letting you %no5 exactly 5$ere you are at in t$e $and> 4ery fe5 opponentsyou run into are tric%y enoug$ to turn t$is spot into a bluff rasie or se#ibluff raise= so you can8ery co#fortably fold 5$en you get raised= and be fairly certain t$at you are $appy 5it$ your

opponent for raising and not getting anot$er bet out of you on t$e ri8er>

(n s$ort= 99P 5it$ a #ade $and t$at figures to be best #ost of t$e ti#e= bet until you getraised ;t$e only ti#e t$ere is an exception to t$is rule is 5$en your opponent #a%es a nasty$abit of raising you on t$e turn= but ( nor#ally gi8e #y opponents a decent a#ount of credituntil ( see t$e# de8elop a real pattern= at 5$ic$ point ( plan for ad"ust#ents @$at s$ould ( do

Mi0 it u.Gi8e it to $i# #ost of t$e ti#e= but re#e#ber you 5ant to balance your range= so ( also 5antyou to s$o5 up 5it$ air in t$is situation so 5$en you double t$e turn $e doesn't %no5 5$at todo and can t$us #a%e an incorrect decision>

(n t$e e8ent t$at $e c$ec%s it bac%= bluff t$e ri8er ;unless you %no5 $e c$ec%s it bac% 5it$ Hor so#et$ing (t's a situation 5$ere $e t$in%s you are bluffing close to ,C of t$e ti#e so $e'llprobably "ust fold ;$e interprets t$is line as you going for pot control 9nly do t$is againstT!Gs t$at you %no5 are gi8ing you a $ard ti#e and are floating you and trying to capitali&e onposition>

ust in case you dont get it1

;6 #ax< ? O-O. ? No Li#it 7old'e#

Seat +1 ;O33,,

29 N9T E7BEH T7B T:RN )!EH F9R P9T E9NTR9L @(T7 T7B L(HBL/ )BST79L2(NG :NLBSS /9: 7!4B ! 2!MN G992 RB!S9N>

$he!k-raising the turn.

(n t$e ga#es #ost of you guys play you 5on't build up enoug$ $istory 5it$ any opponent tocr t$e turn for 8alue because your player pools are so big> @$at ('# ad8ocating is t$at 5e aregoing to cr t$e flop so #uc$ to exploit people 5$o cbet so often t$at you need to balance

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your range by cring your big $ands on t$e flop= 5$ic$ #eans t$at not #any big $ands #a%e itt$roug$ to t$e turn> T$ere's one situation 5$ere you cr t$e turn for 8alue= so lets get t$at outof t$e 5ay first>

/ou flat TT 99P and t$e flop is *3 or 3- = t5o tone or rainbo5> /ou cc a nor#al cbet> T$eturn is a T ;you c$ec% ob8iously< and your opponent double barrels ;your opponent is only#arginally aggressi8e= but is t$e type of player to c$ec% bac% on T3-x 7ere is a spot

you #ust cr because your opponents lac% of aggression #eans t$at $e does not 8alue bett$inly enoug$= t$us $e is going to c$ec% bac% t$e ri8er and 5e don't 5ant t$at because 5e5ant to stac% $i#> E$ec%calling t$e turn and bcing t$e ri8er is 9H= but its fun%y and 5eird soif you are into t$at> @$ate8er you do don't e8er cc t$e turn and c$ec% t$e ri8er to t$is type ofplayer= $e is going to c$ec% it bac% 5ay too #uc$= $o5e8er in t$e e8ent t$at your opponent issuper aggro ( 5ould let $i# bet t$e ri8er and ( 5ould cr> 9b8iously t$is situation c$anges asstac%s increase>

/ou cc a #ediu# strengt$ $and li%e on *6 or !T on T-= and your opponent doublebarrels> !t t$is point your opponent figures to $a8e t$e best $and #ost of t$e ti#e and youdon't 5ant to be ccing 5ea% pairs 99P>

!not$er t$ing you %no5 about your opponents range is t$at it contains so#e dra5s li%e *and H= and a ton of one pair $ands= as 5ell as occasional bluffs> @$at you conclude is t$atyour opponents range for calling a c$ec% raise is sli#= so t$is is a spot to bluff raise t$e turn;it's al#ost a se#ibluff because you are turning a #ade $and 5it$ li%e ?6 outs into a bluff

T$is is a great spot to cr because you can easily fold to furt$er action :( and it puts t$epressure on your opponent Most people don't 5ant to go 5it$ a one pair $and in t$is spotbecause t$ey 8ie5 it as 8ery unli%ely youDre bluffing because it's suc$ a fancy play> T$ey alsodon't %no5 5$at $ands you could $a8e t$at cc t$e flop and t$en cr t$e turn> !not$er reasont$is is a great play because t$ey 5ould ne8er suspect you to turn so#et$ing li%e #iddle pairinto a bluff cr> !ny5ay let's say

!T on T-= you flat a LP open fro# t$e blinds and cc a 6bb cbet>9n t$e turn t$e pot is approx> -+))'s and your opponent bets +-?+6))'s as a double= ( 5ouldprobably cr to ..?,))'s= fold to a s$o8e= and c$ec% fold t$e ri8er if it bric%s off> ( 5oulds$o8e t$e ri8er if (t 5as an ace or T>

( 5ould also li%e to add t$at it $elps a ton if t$e turn is a *= or = as it co#pletesdra5s#a%es -pair= also t$at it suc%s if it is a %ing or 0ueen :NLBSS you $a8e a note t$at $edouble barrels scare cards> F@(@ if t$e turn is a T or ace ( 5ould "ust cc again unless 5e $ad$istory>

1loating the turn

T$ere are t5o situations ( 5ant to tal% about 5$en floating t$e turn> ( t$in% you guys 5ant tofloat t$e turn 5it$ #ediu# strengt$ pairs and straig$t dra5s= ;bot$ of 5$ic$ for 5$ate8erreason you $a8e dee#ed best as a float rat$er t$an a bluff raise for 5$ate8er reason Forexa#ple you %no5 your opponent 5ont fold o8erpairs on T3r and you $a8e *= or you %no5$e'll double Hxx bluffing and you $a8e > (n t$ese situations raising lets your opponent playperfectly and t$us calling is best>

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So let's say an T!G ;-,+ or so= not too loose not too tig$t< opens fro# BP= 5e decide toflato8erflat 5it$ ss> T$e flop is HT.r and 5e decide to "ust call a bet ;you need to be calling$ere for t$e purpose of balancing= also because you don't 5ant to get 3bet off your $and=F@(@ t$e first ti#e around 5it$ your opponent raising is probably best "ust because $e cbetst$is !L9T and its $ard to continues to a raise Not$ing about t$e board $as really c$anged> 7e's

ne8er going to belie8e you for a .= so if 5e $ad li%e !.s 5it$ a )2F2 on t$e flop raise t$e turnto $is double> Ealling $ere is "ust best because e8en t$oug$ 5e $a8e so #uc$ e0uity> 7eprobably 5on't fold any %ing at t$is point because your line doesn't really #a%e #uc$ sensefor anyt$ing t$at beats $i#> !lso= you 5ant to be c$ec%ing bac% t$is ri8er al#ost al5aysunless you #a%e your straig$t or your flus$ because $es probably planning to cc t$e ri8er5it$ #ost pairs= t$e only scenario ( 5ould bet is if1

( %ne5 #y opponent 5as $yper aggro and $ad t$e capacity to double so#et$ing li%e! or ! or e8en $ere= in 5$ic$ case ( 5ould turn #y #issed dra5 into a bluff>

( %ne5 #y opponent 5ould double barrel Tx or and t$e ri8er 5as a 0ueen= t$is is asituation 5$ere a t$in 8alue bet is probably best> (n eit$er situation ( probably bet li%e

6,C of pot>No5 let's say t$at 5e $a8e on T. or .3> @e flat an BP open and your opponent decidesto double barrel> T$is is a situation 5$ere against so#e 8ery tig$t openers= #aybe +.C andless you can consider folding unless you $a8e a reason not to> T$e only card ( 5ould ne8erfold to a second barrel against t$is type of player 5as t$e = "ust because it's suc$ an a5fulcard to double barrel and your opponents t$at are t$is tig$t are probably bad enoug$ to do itso#eti#es> T$ey are also prone to do it 5it$ li%e ?TT as 5ell= so calling 5ill re#ainprofitable>

T$e situation 5$ere you are really doing #ost of your turn floating is against t$e -,+ typeT!Gs or any lag t$at you %no5 can double barrel air= #iddle pairs= dra5spic%ed up dra5s=

etc> (n t$is spot since $e probably %no5s your range is 5ea%is$ pairs #aybe li%e ! at best$e 5ill probably put t$e pressure on a decent a#ount of t$e ti#e= and "ust because t$at#eans $is range for betting is 5ide 5e need to adapt and 5iden our calling range= 5$ic$includes t$ese underpair#iddle pair type $ands> ( s$ould add t$at you need to flat callso#et$ing li%e TT on Tx to your opponents cbet e8ery once and a 5$ile "ust to balance= alsoto decei8e your opponent 5$o probably t$in%s you 5ould raise t$e flop 5it$ t$at $and>

0aising the Turn

Raising t$e turn is a lot of fun because it can typically put T!G's or don%'s into toug$ spots> (5ant to exa#ine t5o situations t$at de#onstrate $o5 to exploit double barreling>

T$is situation ( a# 8ery $appy t$at t$e o8ercaller is a fis$ rat$er t$an a T!G because ( feelli%e t$e PFR is #ore li%ely to cbet against one tag and one don% rat$er t$an t5o T!Gsbecause $e is #ore li%ely to get played bac% at fro# us ;so if $e's betting #ore $ere $iso8erall range is 5ea%er 7e bets and ( float **= 8ery standard play> 9n t$e turn t$e ace $its= agreat card for $i# to double barrel= 5$ic$ $e does>

('# a5are t$is is a good card for $i# to bluff= ('# also a5are t$at $is range for betting t$is card

36


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is

33= = = !!= != !x= x= H= spades= 66?= and a ton of "un%y air $ands

( also %no5 t$at $e is probably cbetting t$at flop a decent a#ount of ti#e because

(t's dry= and

(t's t$ree 5ay so it loo%s stronger

( 5ould probably t$in% t$at $e cbets t$is #ore t$an $e 5ould cbet if it's a 7: situation 5it$ #eand $i# because $e is going to expect #e to float #ore often in $eads up situations> Loo%ingat t$is range t$ere are so#e $ands t$at can continue= $o5e8er #ost cannot continue tofurt$er action> B8en 5it$ $istory its toug$ for $i# to put it in $ere 5it$out at least top pair> 7edouble barrels t$e scare card 5$ic$ ( expect +,,C of $is range to bet and ( raise $i# to put$i# to a decision= basically for t$e rest of $is stac%>

;6 #ax< ? O-O. ? No Li#it 7old'e# ?

Seat +1 ;O.,,6,3,e getting it in 5it$ or !H $ere< 5e

can profitably raise and call a s$o8e> (n t$e e8ent t$at $e $as a 0ueen 5e still $a8e li%e -Ce0uity= so its not a $uge deal> !lso ( s$ould #ention against t$is type of player ( t$in% $einterprets a turn or ri8er raise as being 8ery 8ery strong= 5$ile a flop raise ( t$in% $e #ig$t#a%e a call far #ore often= 5$ic$ 5ould lead to tric%y #ulti street bluffs 5$ic$ you 5ant toa8oid doing against don%s 5it$out great reason>

;6 #ax< ? O3O6 ? No Li#it 7old'e#

Seat +1 ;O6,,*, T$e pot is around6,bb's= and your opp bets li%e say 3,?.,bb's= t$is is a great spot to bluff s$o8e ;esp if you$a8e a note t$at $e is able to betfold situations li%e t$is ust si#ply because it's nor#ally a pretty co#plicated concept and situationt$at re0uires so#e type of $istory or reason to #erit playing your $and li%e t$is> ust for t$epurpose of 5$at you are learning $ere don't e8er do it to balance= its "ust FPS and spe5>

@$en you are at t$e le8el 5$ere you 5ant to do it to balance you'll %no5= and if you arereading t$is= you aren't t$ere yet> ('# not going to go into dept$ about ri8er cr bluffing= ( "ust5ant to say t$at1

/ou need to figure out 5$at type of $and your opponent $as= and you need to co#e tot$e conclusion t$at $e is ta%ing t$e betfold line because ;seg5ay into #y next point>

7e t$in%s you 5ill cr a $and t$at M!HBS SBNSB= so#e #ade $and t$at $e t$in%s youcould $a8e>

T$at said lets do one #ore bluff spot> ('# not gonna tal% about don%ing t$e ri8er t$at #uc$because it's not so#et$ing ( do= but ( feel li%e t$is s$ould be t$ro5n in>

O3O6 ? No Li#it 7old'e#

Seat +1 ;O+=3,3>,-, T$e t$e#e $ere is=since straig$t dra5s are decepti8e you can #erge your range and bluff 5it$ t$e# as t$oug$you $ad flus$ dra5s and got t$ere>

7alue

4alue raising t$e ri8er in position is really straig$t for5ard> /ou eit$er #ade your $and or you5ere anticipating your opponent to bet again and no5 it is ti#e to get 8alue> Lets loo% acouple spots1

;6 #ax< ? O3O6 ? No Li#it 7old'e#

Seat +1 ;O-,.>, @e #a%e our straig$t ont$e turn and our opponent leads> T$e board is pretty scary rig$t no5= #eaning unless ouropponent $as a set or so#e sort of t5o pair ;bot$ of 5$ic$ are difficult for $i# to $a8e $ere

/ou call anyone's open 5it$ a s#all pair= let's say -- 9T)> (t's a -,+ T!G player 5$oopened :TG>

+,, effecti8e stac%s

T$e flop is -r> ;*))'s 9nce you $a8e establis$ed to t$is playert$at you slo5play sets on dry boards= you s$ould fastplay a set on a dry board ;ad"usting=beco#ing tric%y

No5 lets suppose t$at 5e $a8e !s>

@e flat call a button open fro# t$e big blind>

9ur opponent cbets T.-ss= 5e decide to cc>

T$e turn is a bric% t$at doesn't pair t$e board= 5e c$ec%call again>

T$e ri8er gets us t$ere= any spade= so t$e decision is lead or go for a c$ec% raise>

/our standard $ere s$ould be to "ust bet out so#e a#ount t$at you t$in% 5ill get called> (nor#ally bet 6,?,C of t$e pot= so#eti#es s#aller= so#eti#es bigger depends on #yopponent> T$is is so#et$ing you 5ill figure out o8er ti#e> @$at situations #erit a c$ec%?raise

T$e only scenario 5$ere ( c$ec% raise t$is spot are against1

People 5$o ( %no5 can 8alue bet t$inly

People 5$o ( %no5 can triple barrel a scare card>

People 5$o ( t$in% are generally too aggressi8e and spe5y ;so#eti#es ( lead li%e -,Cof pot $ere to induce a raise

(f t$ese criteria are not #et you are going to #iss you ri8er c$ec% raise !L9T>

MentalityPo%er is going to often ti#es $and you a +, buy in do5ns5ing= or 5orse> !s you #o8e up5orse beco#es 8ery standard and 5ill $appen a fe5 ti#es a #ont$> /ou 7!4B to staypositi8e and recogni&e t$at t$e only t$ing $olding you bac% is yourself> 2o not let t$edo5ns5ings get t$e best of you= "ust reali&e t$at you are a 5inner in t$e ga#es= no #atter5$at your i##ediate results are> (f you %eep a cool $ead and %eep playing solid>

( really cannot stress t$is enoug$= (N T(MB /9:R RBS:LTS E!TE7 :P @(T7 /9:= 5$att$ose results are #atter solely on you> (8e lost % o8er a -,% $and stretc$ before playing 36NL= playing .?6 tables= not really doing anyt$ing $orribly incorrect> ( %ept #y $ead in= #yfriends supported #e= and ( $ad a -, )( ups5ing in about 6% $ands rig$t after t$at sic%do5ns5ing> (t absolutely 5ould not $a8e $appened if ( didn't reali&e t$at 5$at ( 5as goingt$roug$ 5as nor#al 8ariance and t$at t$e only t$ing $olding #e bac% fro# 5inning it all bac%and #ore 5as #yself>

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7ealt$( don't eat rig$t but ( s$ould= and so s$ould you> ( don't %no5 anyt$ing about eating rig$t= butloo% into it> For god sa%e 5or%out e8ery day> @or%ing out is really toug$ t$e first +?- ti#es= butafter t$at you 5ill 5ant to do it and #ig$t e8en en"oy it> S$ip an ipod and you'll be fine>

:ps5ingsPlay as #any $ours as possible 5$en yo

76 - ryan fees 6maxnl guide

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