Core Modules 11-13: Postflop Concepts

Question 1

What is the essence of a good postflop strategy?

Answer 1

Having an ability to compare your range with your opponent’s range, ranking all of your hands, then deciding on the best course of action

Question 2

How should you play the top/middle/weak part of your range using the example below?

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Answer 2

• Almost always play the top of your range aggressively by betting and raising: eg. 98,KK,AA,TT
• Almost always the middle part of your range passively by checking and calling: eg. 77,A8
• Decide which hands (in your range) that has the highest chance to win that currently has a low ranking such as a draw: QJ
• Always fold the bottom of your range, pick your battles and give up/fold: eg AK,AT

Question 3

Factors to consider in bet size

Answer 3

• how many opponents are in the pot
• cards on the board
• types of hands you put your opponent on
• how many top hands you might have

Question 4

Good general rule for bet sizes:

Answer 4

Bet 75% of the pot and raise 3x the size of any bet you face. You must also bet the same size for both your good/bad hands

Question 5

Why is 75% a good sized bet?

Answer 5

It gives yourself decent pot odds to win while not missing out on value; your opponent will also be getting bad odds to call if they’re drawing

Question 6

Two common scenarios where you should not bet 75% of the pot?

Answer 6

• you only have one pot-sized bet left, best to shove

- vs. min-bets, best to go pot size

Question 7

How should we bet in 3bet pots?

Answer 7

3bet pots are different so betting smaller is usually better. Cbet between 40-75% pot and raise 2.25-2.75x our opponents bet

Question 8

Rules of thumb for betting bigger in 3bet pots?

Answer 8

• the more likely our opponent will call
• the board is draw-heavy
• our hand is vulnerable

Question 9

Rules of thumb for betting smaller in 3bet pots?

Answer 9

• our opponent will likely fold
• the board is dry
• our hand is doing okay, not vulnerable

Question 10

2 Rules of Equity

Answer 10

1) You can only win as much preflop by your equity: for example, if your range is 60% vs. a 40% range then your goal should be to win about 60% of all pots
2) The OOP player loses equity by going first; the IP player gains equity by going last

Question 11

What are the 4 values of Position?

Answer 11

1) Opponent is forced to check many hands: IP have extra decisions and more information
2) Playing high card vs. high card more effectively: IP players can bluff more effectively
3) Effectively playing Ace-high
4) We can realize our equity with strong>medium strength hands

Question 12

What are the 4 categories of called pots?

Answer 12

1) Value bets: strong enough to bet 3 times when checked to or raise all the way to the river
2) x/calls: hands strong enough to call 1-3 cbets
3) Bluffs: efficient bluffs to triple barrel OR raise intending to bet on the turn/river
4) Garbage: don’t even bother!