Playing Flop IP as PFA

DIFFERENCES TO BEING OOP
-easier to pot control and get to show down
-we can employ a mixed strategy to exploit our opponents
-when HU and we have a range advantage, we can cbet 100% our of range with small sizing

PLAYING VS DONK BETS
-often top pairs, sometimes draws
-we call hands that would've bet + mid strength checking range + draws
-raise strong value hands + best draws

THE WETTER THE BOARD + THE STICKIER OUR OPPONENT- THE MORE OFTEN WE RAISE FOR VALUE

-vs low tacks and aggro opponents on dry boards, we want to slowplay our strongest hands
-tighten up our range multiway

BLUFF RAISING (Be very careful)
-DO NOT TRY TO BLUFF PLAYERS OFF TOP PAIR
-can bluff raise more vs tiny donks
-multiway we tighten up our bluffing range A LOT- only raise our strongest draws

PLAYING VS CHECK/RAISE
vs PLAYER TYPES:

1. ABC PLAYERS: have very few bluffs, mainly strong value
• we only continue with good draws + strong value hands
2. TIGHT/NIT/PASSIVE: will have very strong value mainly
• we can make big folds right away often
• only continue with best draws and strongest value
3. AGGRO/MANIACS: will have wide value and many bluffs
• they over-value their mid strength hands (top pair mid kicker)
• we continue with any top pair, some good second pair, any draws, strong overs with BDDs
• be prepared to call turn barrels very often
4. LOOSE FISH/WHALES: over-valued hands, but not lots of bluffs
• check/raise with bad top pairs, some good draws
• we continue with top pairs, most draws
5. REGULARS: mainly good value hands and strong draws
• very value heavy
• we continue with top pair, good second pair (vs aggro), most draws and overs with BDDs

POSITION

-continue tighter vs check/raise in EP- we continue with more hands vs LP check/raise

BOARD TEXTURE

Wet boards

-players will have more draws... HOWEVER

-also lots of strong value too that'll barrel often

WE CONTINUE WITH TIGHT RANGE (TOP PAIR+, STRONG DRAWS)

Dry boards

-less bluffs, more overplayed top pairs + very strong value hands

-aggro players can have very wide bluffing range-> easier to showdown with good value

WE CONTINUE WITH STRONG RANGE (TOP PAIR+, MOST DRAWS, GOOD OVERS+BDDS)

3BETTING FLOP

-on wet texture: 4bet strongest value to get stacks in

-on dry boards: call more often to TRAP

vs aggros: trap more often (STILL 3BET FLOP ON WET BOARDS)

vs tight/loose passive: 3bet strong value right away vs their strong range

vs regs: call strongest value often to TRAP and protect our calling range

multiway: 3bet strong value right away for immediate value + equity denial

Playing Flop as PFA OOP

Will aim to pot control + checking a lot

POLARIZED BETTING RANGE
-bet only strong value hands + good bluffs (top pair top kicker, FDs, OESDs)
-check mid strength hands and weak bluffs (top pair mid kicker, gutshot, A highs)

MAIN FACTORS: BET OR CHECK?

1. WHAT ARE THEIR RANGES?
• vs wider range we can go thinner for value + more fold equity with bluffs (bet wider range)
• vs tight range- we have less value and less equity with bluffs (bet narrower range)
2. HOW MANY STREETS OF VALUE DO I HAVE?
• if 1 or 2 max, we can start by checking the flop
• if 3 streets, we always bet to start building pot (flopped sets, overpairs, straights)
3. HOW MANY OPPONENTS?
• vs multiple: polarized range
• HU: depolarized range- bet our entire range for small size
4. BOARD TEXTURE
• the wetter the board, the more polarized we bet
• eg. KQ on [QJ9] 4way- we check as many stronger hands can call + hard to get 3 streets
• eg. KQ on [Q38] rainbow 4way- we can value bet
5. VS WHICH PLAYER TYPE?
• vs good/tight players- we check OOP more often
• to protect our checking range
• we should include check/raise range + delayed cbet range
• vs looser/maniac
• check really strong hands sometimes to let them hang themselves
• if they're real sticky- only bet strong hands as value
6. DO I NEED EQUITY PROTECTION?
• ONLY IF WE HAVE ENOUGH FOLD EQUITY
• bet low pairs (usually 8 or below)
• eg. A4s on [4T2] 3way- benefit from equity protection with fold equity

CHECK/RAISING AS PFA

-effective vs aggro/call happy players

-deny free turn cards and river equity

HAND STRENGTHS

-check/raise with: very strong value, strongest draws + sometimes weak draws/backdoors

-with medium value hands: we bet or check/call (eg. top pair midkicker, weak FD)

-do not mind getting money in on flop with strong value and best draws (sets, NFDs)

-with weaker draws, we don't mind check/raise/folding (gutshots, BDFDs, bottom pair)

-we can barrel on many turns -> give up if we don't improve

VS PLAYER TYPES

-multiway + wet boards -> mainly go for value as less fold equity

vs aggro bettors- assess tendencies

-how often do they cbet when checked to?

-the more they bet/fold-> more bluffs we can use

vs regs

-stab very wide on flop IP

-exploit them by using check/raising wide with bluffs

vs tight/loose passive players

-use almost only strong value

-bet our good hands when they're passive

WHEN FACING A RAISE OOP

On dry boards:

vs aggro players:

-call with strong hands and let them hand themselves

-never 3bet flop- keep all his bluffs in

vs tight players:

-proceed very cautiously and make some big folds right away

-re raise with our best value hands as they're rarely folding

On wet boards:

vs aggro players:

-call with medium/good value hands and call down sometimes on blank runouts

-with very good value-> we want to re-raise (if we know they'll call with worse hands)

vs tight players:

-proceed cautiously and make big folds right away

-they'll call most draws therefore- we shouldn't have any bluffs

* LEARN TO FOLD [AA]- IT IS STILL JUST 1 PAIR HAND*

-vs very passive players who raised flop-> they're only raising 2pair, sets or better therefore JUST FOLD

Player Types and Adjustments

1) GOOD/SOLID/AGGRESSIVE
-Solid/balanced ranges
-Capable of calling and bluffing with good frequencies
-Lines make sense

OUR ADJUSTMENTS
-solid/balance approach
-play closer to GTo
-make good bluffs and calls with good frequencies
-avoid marginal spots vs them
-pay close attention to their leaks

2) LOOSE/BAD/AGGRESSIVE
-loose ranges
-overplay their value hands/draws
-bluff too much pre and post-> 3bet with medium strength hands
-calls too much (hero) pre and post

OUR ADJUSTMENTS
-stay patient
-tighten up opening range when they're behind
-loosen up our range when we're IP on them
-call 3bet wider-> beware of offsuit combos
-rarely bluff them
-call down more often
-slowplay big value hands
-many draws missed? check to induce bluffs
-use huge overbets vs players who like to herocalls
-trapping players who makes huge bluffs

3) LOOSE/BAD/PASSIVE
-loose preflop range in all spots
-tight 3bet range
-limps a lot
-doesn't bluff much
-doesn't like to fold postflop
-always have what they're repping

OUR ADJUSTMENTS
-go mainly for value only-> reduce bluffing frequencies
-tighten up preflop range when they have position
-loosen up our range when IP
-no 3bet bluffs
-vs their 3bet: tight continuing range-> fold offsuit broadways and continue with PPs and SCs
-size up postflop bets with value hands-> they dont like to fold
-bluff rarely postflop
-make herofold often

4) TIGHT/PASSIVE
-tight preflop ranges
-3bet preflop = KK+
-never bluff and play draws passively
-fit or fold on flop
-big raise/bet =nuts -> always have what they're repping

OUR ADJUSTMENTS
-loosen up vs him
-tighten up vs his open raises-> avoid offsuit broadways and continue with PPs and SCs
-use small sizings preflop and postflop
-avoid multistreet bluffs-> their range is too strong
-avoid thin value bets
-many draws missed? keep betting for value
-continue very strong hands vs their bets
-avoid marginal/obvious draws
-make herofold very often-> big raises/bets= NUTS

5) TIGHT/ABC REG/SEMI REG
-fairly tight range
-rarely 3bet bluff
-mainly play his hand not his range
-doesn't bluff multiple barrels -> mainly one and done
-doesn't make light call downs

OUR ADJUSTMENTS
-loosen up our range
-tight range vs their 3bet
-can 3bet bluff them preflop
-call flop bets lighter
-be tight vs multiple barrels
-bluff turns and rivers vs them
-bet for value when draws missed

6) MANIAC/WHALE
-play too lose preflop- tries to play every hand
-3bet with anything
-lines make no sense
-never fold postflop with any pairs or draws
-loves to bluff

OUR ADJUSTMENTS
-value, value, value!
-be patient
-add random hand to their range
-tighten up when they're behind
-loosen up when we have position
-defend vs their 3bet wider
-never 3bet bluff
-widen value 3betting range eg KQo, AJo
-huge preflop sizings with strong value hands
-never bluff them postflop
-value bet thinly
-use huge sizings with value hands postflop
-draws have more implied odds
-be prepared to make light call down

7) UNKNOWNS
-assume they're abc/weak reg
-call wider preflop and post
-do not 3bet bluff them
-assume they'll bluff a little but mainly value
-value heavy when they bet multistreets
-play value heavy range pre and post
-dont call them too light

Intro to Postflop

OVERALL ODDS CALCULATIONS

TRY TO MEMORIZE AND LEARN THESE BASIC POT ODDS











COMBINATORICS
-1326 combos of hands
-16 combos of each unpaired hands
-4 combos of each suited hands
-6 combos of each pocket pairs

eg. [K92]- how many combination of KQ can villain have?
-3 unknown Ks and 4 Qs (3x4)= 12 combos
-if we also have a K: (2x4)= 8 combos
-9 combos of each 2 pair hands (3x3)
-3 combos of each sets-> if we have that pair = 1 combo only
-16 combos of two-cards straight (4x4) but only 4 combos if suited

EXAMPLE: Tight ABC reg raise UTG: [77+, JTs+, AJo+, ATs+]
FLOP: [Qc9s3c]- he bets half pot- we need 25% to call
-His value range: AA (6 combos) KK (6) QQ (3) AQ (12) KQs (3) 99 (3) QJs (3) QTs (3)
= 39 combos
-His bluffing range: [JTs (4) AcKc, AcJc, AcTc, KcJc, KcTc,  KsTs, KsJs
= 11 combos
THAT IS 11/50 = 20% OF BLUFFS
WE NEED 25% THEREFORE WE FOLD

CBETTING
-ALWAYS THINK IN TERMS OF RANGES-> breakdown their bluff/value range
eg. villain cbets on [A58ss]- his range doesn't just have Ax
-can consist of 67s, 97s, JJ, TT, FDs, Ax and total air

REASONS TO CBET
1) FOR VALUE
2) AS A BLUFF
3) TO DENY EQUITY (PROTECTION)
4) UNIVERSAL BET

WHEN TO CBET?
-THINK: 'how many streets of value do I have?'
if 3 streets: go bet/bet/bet
if only 1 or 2: check the flop -> eg. KQ on [AK5]
-this protect our range and keep in their bluffs

SIZING THEORY
Very dry boards-> small sizings (1/4-1/2 pot) with big range
-eg. [447], [A38], [J23]
-use small sizing for both value and bluffs
Draw heavy boards -> large sizing with strong range
-eg [789], [Q9K]
Multiway-> cbet strong range (strong value and strong bluffs)
ALWAYS TRY TO PLAY EXPLOITATIVELY
eg. vs calling station- use big sizing always

CBETTING TURNS AND RIVERS
ON TURN:
-Narrower range with larger sizing
-put pressure on weaker part of his range + get value with good hands
ON RIVER:
-Go big or small depending on:
-what part of his range are we targeting?
-can we exploit him using big/small sizing?

OVERBETTING
-vs good regs-> need to be very balanced
-vs rec and loose players-> overbet mainly for value
eg. vs whale we have 33 on [AK3] -> we can overbet as they're not folding Ax

WHEN FACING OVERBET-> ASSUME IT IS VALUE

MOST PLAYERS BET BIG WITH VALUE, SMALLER WITH BLUFFS

BB Strategy

BB DEFENDS
-vs EP open, DO NOT defend with weak offsuit hands [only ATo+, KQo+] -we can add more hands if villain is weak
-defend tighter vs 4x open or multiway (DO NOT defend offsuit hands)
-ONLY DEFEND OFFSUIT BROADWAYS vs VERY WEAK OPPONENTS

3BETTING/SQUEEZING
-mostly only strong hands for value
-3bet bluff ONLY IF WE KNOW OPPONENT IS CAPABLE OF FOLDING PREFLOP- use high equity bluffs (suited broadways)
-use big sizing when 3betting OOP
-widening our value/bluff 3bet range vs later positions

SB Strategy

3BET > FLAT AS WE'RE OOP

GENERAL RULE:
3BET TIGHTER vs EP OPEN
-only 3bet bluff hands with good equity [KQs, AQs, KJs, QJs]
-fold most offsuit hands

3BET LIGHTER vs MP OPEN
-flat wider (mostly suited hands) unless opponent is very weak
-3bet wider for value [AJs+] while also adding more bluffs [KTs, QTs]
-only flat small pocket pairs [22-55] if opponent is very weak

3BET EVEN LIGHTER vs LP OPEN (CO, BTN)
-3bet [99+, KTs+, ATs+] for value + add more bluffs [87s, Q9s K9s]
-vs BTN we 3bet all suited broadways and 88+

ONLY 3BET BLUFF IF WE KNOW OPPONENT IS CAPABLE OF FOLDING PREFLOP

Playing vs 3Bet/4Bet

Depend on how wide they're 3betting

-When they have a nutted range, we don't defend any weak hands

Defend more when blinds 3bet- compared to UTG 3bet

-If they have a bluffing range, we should defend more

SIZING- is extremely important

-we can overfold when they 3bet very large

THINK OF VILLAIN'S 3BETTING RANGE

-defend way more suited hands

-hands like A8o we'll be dominated most of the time
-is he loose aggro? is he tight passive?
-defend according to their range

POSITIONS

-WHEN IN POSITION:

we can defend wider range- suited connectors, offsuit broadways

-we have positional advantage and can control pot size

-Can flat monsters to trap

-WHEN OUT OF POSITION

-Defend tighter range- strongest suited connectors, strong offsuit broadways

-Almost always 4bet with monsters [AA,KK] for max value

HEADS UP OR MULTIWAY?

-HEADS UP

we can defend most offsuit broadways (when IP)

good top pair will be strong enough

defend less with baby pairs and suited connectors

-MULTIWAY

Defend less with offsuit broadways

Defend more with baby pairs, suited connectors, suited aces- implied odds

Becareful with lower SCs when pot gets huge- may get overflushed

EFFECTIVE STACKSIZE

-Shallow (20-75BB)

Defend with good offsuit broadways- hit good top pair and stack off postflop

Dont defend with low pocket pair, lower SCs- less implied odds

-Deeper stacks (75BB+)

Dont defend with offsuit broadways

Defend more with lower pocket pairs, lower SCs, suited Ax- more implied odds

4BETTING

-Who 3bet? Position? Range?

-Only 4bet for value [QQ+, AK] against most players

-IP we can flat 3bet with AK, QQ

-OOP we rather 4bet

-Multiway vs squeeze we should 4bet to prevent good odds to villain to flat

What to do when villain 3bet a ton?

-Call lighter as we need less equity to call

-Increase our 4bet range only a bit

-Can open raise a bit tighter to be able to call most hands to a 3-bet

POLARIZED 4BET RANGE

-eg. KK,AA and A2s-A5s to balance

UTG VS EARLY POSITION 3BET (UTG vs UTG+1, MP, CO)
-they have more nutted range -> fold suited broadways and continue with 77+, AQs and AKo
-depend on villain- if aggro we 4bet AKo. AKs but if vs nit- we only flat
-our 4bet bluff range only against aggro opponents (only suited hands)- A5s, AJs
-only flat QQ, JJ vs 3bet
-fold AQo and worse vs unknown + nits as we're often dominated

UTG VS BLINDS 3BET
-call wider-> suited broadways, suited gappers, AJs+, AKo

DEFEND TIGHTER VS EARLIER POSITION 3BET 

DEFEND WIDER VS LATER POSITION 3BET- [ESPECIALLY IF WE HAVE POSITION]

HOWEVER DEPENDS ON THE PLAYER TYPE (NIT, AGGRO, MANIAC)
VS TIGHT PASSIVE PLAYER-> OVERFOLD VS 3BET
VS WEAKER OPPONENTS- WE RAISE CALL SUITED CONNECTORS AS WE HAVE AN EDGE POSTFLOP

MP/LP VS 3BET
We can defend wider vs blinds 3bet (all pocket pairs, suited aces and suited broadways)
vs earlier position 3bet, we defend tighter as their range is stronger
We can 4bet lighter vs blinds for value [TT, JJ, QQ]
We can add 4bet bluff with A2s-A5s (only suited wheels)

WHEN WE FEEL DOMINATED BY ATLEAST 1 PLAYER-> MUCK OUR HAND