Preflop Dynamics Flashcards
1
Q
Criteria for Hand Selection
A
- Good starting equity vs likely VPIP ranges
- mid/big pairs, big Ax, suited broadway, some low pairs (these block trash and thus get fewer folds and more re-raises)
- Slightly less eq but can realize well
- mid-suited, Axs
- Block villain’s VPIP/3-bet ranges
- suited broadways, Axs, some offsuit broadway
- AVOID poor starting equity or realize poorly
- Trashy suited, weak Axo, offsuit trash
2
Q
Positional Adaptations
A
- Range widens as we get near button: why?
- Fewer players to get through to capitalize
- Thus, capitalize more frequently
- More likely have position if flatted, thus realize more effectively
- Option to flat if 3-bet and shift to realization
3
Q
Range Interdependence
A
- Ranges consist of frequencies of calling, folding, raising, totaling 100%
- The more we call with a hand, the less we can raise with it
- As calling range expands, raising range polarizes
- Criteria for value-raising/bluffing get stricter when calling attractive, eg defending BB vs small raise (good calling odds)
- If no calling range, rasing range is linear
- No point raising weak, folding strong: eg, we’re BB facing raise and 3-bet. We 4-jam top X%, fold rest
- Mixing it up has no inherent value, especially vs weak opponents (e.g. 3B 74s or flat KK to ‘be unpredictable’)
4
Q
Adapting Ranges
A
- Detailed range construction at Academy
- Adaptations must bear interdepenence in mind
- Wider ranges make equity harder to realize post or vs 3B
- Tighter ranges leave equity on table by folding
- Synergy of interdependent ranges is how we profit
5
Q
Pros of Flatting
A
- Keeps villain’s range wide
- Allows cheaper equity realization
- Creates deeper postflop SPR
- Exposes villain’s c-betting mistakes
- Builds a dynamic with players still to act behind us
6
Q
Cons of Flatting
A
- Unable to capitalize PF or exert fold equity
- Allows villain to realize equity
- Difficult to build bigger pots post
- Creates more multiway situations
7
Q
Deciding When to Flat
A
- Profitable flats come from being able to make good postflop decisions and flat freq should go up with increasing experience
- Weak players should be tighter pre
- Be wary of flatting MP with loose players behind
- With tight blinds, we can flat BTN liberally
- In multiway: equity decreases faster than pot odds improve
8
Q
Pros of 3-betting
A
- Allows capitalization/exertion of fold eq pre
- Makes bigger pot with our stronger range
- Denies opponent free equity realization
- Seizes initiative, puts villain on defensive (psychologically important)
- Allows creation of spots opponents hate playing
- Reduces multiway risks
9
Q
Cons of 3-betting
A
- Forces more chips risked preflop
- Lower postflop SPR reduces our decision-making edge
- Sometimes we must fold to a 4-bet and realize no equity
- Diminishing returns vs opponents who adapt effectively
10
Q
Deciding When to 3-Bet
A
- Best spots are where villain folds frequently
- Allows dead money capitalization and prevents eq realization
- There is an auto profit threshold beyond which ATC is a hypothetically profitable 3B
- However, we don’t want ATC ranges postflop
- Two factors govern 3B frequencies
- Our position
- Position of opener
- EG: UTG-1 3B tight vs UTG, but BTN 3B wide vs CO
11
Q
Responding to 4-Bets
A
- Most low-stakes players 4B only the nuts
- We seldom face difficult 5B shove decisions
- Have a plan for 4B before it happens
- Don’t want to 3B/fold hands with good eq realization potential
- So, 3B ranges more polar when shallow
- Deeper stacked, flatting 4B more viable, so more merged 3B ranges
12
Q
Defending SB
A
- Flatting hard: guaranteed OOP, possibly multi
- Will be squeezed by BB more often
- VPIP usually lower vs a raise
- Many defend with more 3B
- But: often just end up OOP in a bigger pot than if we had flatted
- Pure 3B or fold strategy is viable, but must be for specific reasons, not as standard policy
13
Q
Defending BB
A
- Defense vs single raise requires understanding of equity realization
- Vs 4x we get 1.83:1 (call 3 into 5.5) = 35%
- Many hands have 35% eq but not all can realize
- Reverse implied odds more of a concern when OOP with deep stack
-
Deeper stacks get, more eq realization threatened
- Simply more likely we are forced to fold somewhere before river
14
Q
SPR
A
- Lower SPR, closer we are to all-in
- Closer we are to all-in, the more important raw equity becomes
- Low SPR means less fold equity
- In high SPR spots, equity realization threatened, capitalization matters more
- Thus, edges are bigger at deep stacked games
- Why? Odds of getting to showdown decrease. Good players don’t simply rely on showdown value of their hand to realize equity
15
Q
SPR by Street
A
- <2.5:1 - stacks likely all-in on F or T
- 2.5-5 - occasionally all-in on T, sometimes R
- 5-10 - 3 streets betting needed for all-in
- 10-20 - F or T must be bet and raised to get in
- >20 - >1 street must be bet and raised to get in
- Dynamic flops with more raises cause more rapid SPR shrinkage
