Translated with the help of AI. We apologize for any errors and would appreciate your help in correcting them.
The material is based on the original article: pekarstas.com ordering the educational portal university.poker
We analyze the "preflop Bible" from MMASherdog.
Optimal sizing 3bet
In the position, we use reduced 3bet sizing to force the opponent to make difficult decisions with his borderline hands. Players without a position sell their equity worse, so with a 3-beta without a position, you need to increase sizing. This allows you to increase pressure on the opponent and reduce his chances of a comfortable post-flop game. In addition, the range of 3bet outside the position is more often built on a polarized principle, since it is advantageous to use pot-odds for the call on the blinds. Below is a table of 3bet sizing, depending on the positions of the open-raiser and our 3bet. In the calculations, it is assumed that the effective stacks are 100 bb, and the sizing of the open-raise is the standard value considered in the first part.
| 3-bet: | MP | CO | BU | SB | BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vs UTG | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10.5 | 11.5 |
vs MP | - | 7 | 7 | 10.5 | 11.5 |
vs CO | - | - | 7 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
vs BU | - | - | - | 11.5 | 11.5 |
vs SB | - | - | - | - | 9 |
The main strategy is to give preference to 3-bet/fold, and use calls only in cases where there is a weak player (fish) behind us, with whom we strive to play more hands.
Optimal range of 3bet
MP-CO vs UTG
- Blue: The main range of 3bet, including strong hands with good post-flop playability (7%, 93 combinations).
- Pink: Boundary hands that can be added against opponents who often drop cards on a 3-bet (+1.7%, 22 combinations).
CO vs MP
- Blue: Base range of 3bet, providing pressure on the opening player (10%, 132 combinations).
- Pink: Extended range, suitable for playing against opponents easily squeezed under aggression (+1.6%, 21 combinations
Features of the game on BU
On the button, you can use both the "3-bet/fold" strategy and a mixed approach with calls. MMASherdog recommends adhering to the default 3-bet/fold strategy.
Advantages:
- It is more difficult for an opponent without a position to defend against 3-bets.
- We avoid potential squeezes from players on blinds.
- We maintain the breadth of the spectrum without giving opponents a clear understanding of our range.
- We put CO under pressure, forcing it to open more secretly.
- Reduce the cost of rake.
- Reduce the probability of a multipot by squeezing opponents out of the hand.
Disadvantages:
- Inflating the pot with marginal hands.
- Rejection of positive calls, which can be implemented in a mixed strategy.
It is justified to use calls if there is a fish behind us that we want to lure into the pot, or if there are passive players on the blinds who rarely use Squeeze. It is also worth considering the size of the open-raise: the larger it is, the less often we have to call and choose 3-bet/fold more often.
BU vs UTG
- Blue: A key 3bet range that includes robust hands capable of dominate the opening range (9.1%, 121 combinations).
- Pink: Extra hands added against fold-prone opponents who resist aggression poorly (+2.9%, 38 combinations).
BU vs MP
- Blue: Optimal range of 3bet aimed at the pressure on the racer (11.5%, 121 combinations).
- Pink: An auxiliary set of hands that allows you to exploit players who easily reset to 3-bet (+2.9%, 39 combinations).
BU vs MP-UTG (with collages)
- Blue: Basic range of 3bet, including hands with good playability (7%, 92 combinations).
- Green: Call range designed for situations where a call looks more profitable than a 3-bet (6.4%, 85 combinations).
If there is a call range in our arsenal, it is worth slightly increasing the sizing of 3bet (by about 0.5-1 bb). The size of the call range depends on many factors: from the size of the open-raise to the probability of a squeeze and the presence of a weak player on the blinds.
BU vs CO
- Blue: The main 3bet range aimed at extracting the valley from the opening opponent (15.6%, 207 combinations).
- Pink: Hands that can be included in the range against opponents who are prone to often give up under pressure (+3.2%, 43 combinations).
Range of 3bet without position will be analyzed separately in the topic "protection of blinds".
