Poker strategy library

When to use itOn the bubble, a BTN with 80 BB covers an SB with 8 BB and a BB with 12 BB by a wide margin. Open-shoving selected hands can pressure opponents who want to avoid elimination. You still need both a reason they may fold and sufficient equity when called.

CautionCheck every remaining stack. Do not widen equally against another large stack, a very short stack, frequent callers or an earlier raise. Use smaller opens against deeper opponents too. This is a proprietary approximation, not a solver’s optimal frequency.

When to use itStart with the position and size your opponent used to enter the pot. Narrow the hands likely to remain after each bet or call. Consider both value hands and bluffs rather than settling on one holding.

CautionStrong hands can remain in a calling range. Do not treat unseen cards as known.

When to use itWhen your range is stronger on average, a small bet with a wide range may be an option. The player with more nut-strength hands may have room to apply pressure with a large bet. These are different advantages.

CautionThe preflop aggressor does not have the advantage on every board.

When to use itIn position, you can see your opponent check or bet before deciding. This often lets you play more hands than when acting first, and makes checking back to see another card without investing more chips easier.

CautionOut of position, future bets can force you to fold more often even with the same raw equity.

When to use itTwo hands may have the same preflop equity, but a hand that often folds to large postflop bets cannot make full use of it. Consider position and the ability to improve to strong hands before deciding whether a call lets you continue profitably.

CautionSufficient equity if you always reached showdown is not enough when you are frequently forced to fold or are dominated.

When to use itA semi-bluff or squeeze can win the pot immediately as well as win after being called. Separate the hands your opponent will fold from those that will continue.

CautionDo not overestimate bluff profits against opponents who rarely fold, in multiway pots or under strong ICM pressure.

When to use itWith little stack left relative to the pot, a strong one-pair hand can more readily be considered for a large commitment. With deep stacks, putting everything in with one pair carries more risk, so the potential to make nut-strength hands matters more.

CautionA low SPR is not an automatic all-in. Check the opponent’s range and ICM.

When to use itDivide the additional cost of calling by the pot you can contest after the call. Compare that threshold with your equity against the opponent’s betting range. A hand that looks strong does not by itself make a call profitable.

CautionFuture bets, equity realization and ICM need separate consideration. A hand ranking is not an equity estimate.

When to use itA call that falls slightly short using the current pot alone may gain value if you can win additional chips after making a strong hand. Check that effective stacks are deep enough and the opponent has hands that will actually pay.

CautionFuture payment is not guaranteed. Low flushes and weak kickers can create reverse implied odds.

When to use itA hand may be a useful bluff if its cards remove strong calls without removing many folds. Holding an ace reduces the combinations of AA, for example, but also consider suits and the opponent’s action before bluffing.

CautionAn ace alone is not a reason to bluff. Suits and the path through the hand matter.

When to use itWith the same hand, raising can apply pressure while calling can keep weaker hands in. Distributing some strong hands across different actions makes your strength harder to infer from the action alone.

CautionTwo candidate actions do not mean a 50/50 mix. PokerLift does not guarantee exact frequencies or equal EV.

When to use itLate positions such as the BTN leave fewer opponents behind and offer more opportunities to win the blinds and antes by making everyone fold. Still consider their stacks and tendency to reraise when selecting your hands.

CautionAdjust your opening range for short stacks behind, reraising tendencies and ICM.

When to use itA larger raise than a normal open can discourage cheap calls after someone limps. Choose the hand and size together, considering the number of limpers and whether you will act first postflop.

CautionIf opponents will not fold, simply raising larger with a weak hand is not the solution.

When to use itAgainst frequent calls with weak hands, prioritize value in your 3-betting range. Against frequent folds, consider bluffs with blockers to strong continuing hands. Adjust for the opener’s position and sizing.

CautionPosition, size and stack depth change the response. Do not make light 3-bets automatically.

When to use itAn open and a call add chips to the pot. A squeeze aims to win those chips with a strong 3-betting range and reduce the number of players seeing the flop. Remember the strength of the original opener.

CautionCompare calling and folding against a strong early-position open, a possible trapping call or significant ICM pressure.

When to use itA strong hand can 4-bet for value, but calling can retain the opponent’s bluffs. Consider whether you will have position and whether the additional cost leaves you able to play effectively postflop.

CautionDefending your own open and cold-entering against another player’s 3-bet require different hand strength.

When to use itA range that continues to a 4-bet is usually much stronger than an opening range. Before 5-betting, ask whether you can get value when called by that range, and check the pot and remaining stacks.

CautionWith deep stacks, a 5-bet is not always all-in. Check position and the opponent’s remaining chips.

When to use itHaving posted 1 BB, the big blind can call a small open for less additional money. The disadvantage is usually acting first postflop. Compare calls with value 3-bets and suitable bluff 3-bets.

CautionA discount does not justify defending every hand. Player count, sizing and positional disadvantage matter.

When to use itIf the small blind limps only weak hands, the big blind can raise aggressively. Leaving some strong hands in the limping range creates opportunities to call or reraise.

CautionWith three or more players, the SB acts first postflop. Heads-up, the BTN is also the SB: it acts first preflop and after the BB postflop.

When to use itAgainst a wide late-position open, a reraise can contest the blinds. With shallow stacks, consider a reshove by weighing the likelihood of folds together with equity when called.

CautionAvoid weak reshoves against tight early-position opens or opponents who rarely fold.

When to use itA small raise leaves little behind when stacks are shallow. Compare the benefit of winning immediately with your equity when called, accounting for position, antes and payouts.

CautionEven below 10 BB, not every situation is a two-choice push/fold decision. Checking in the BB and limping in the SB can remain options.

When to use itOn a flop that fits your range, you may get value from weaker pairs. When betting without a made hand, identify the hands you want to fold and whether a draw gives you a way to improve when called. Opening preflop alone is not a reason to c-bet.

CautionDo not c-bet every time you open. Reduce frequency on boards favorable to the opponent or in multiway pots, and retain medium showdown value in your checking range.

When to use itA small bet may suit a situation where you want weak pairs to call. Larger sizes can apply pressure with strong value hands and selected bluffs. Start with what you want to continue and what you want to fold.

CautionSizing solely by hand strength becomes predictable. Consider the future pot and remaining stacks too.

When to use itLarge bets can combine strong hands that perform well when called with bluffs that want a fold. Medium-strength hands may be better preserved by checking and retaining their ability to beat weaker hands.

CautionAvoid betting medium hands so large that weaker hands fold and only stronger hands call.

When to use itWhen an early-position opener is called only by the BB, a disconnected rainbow or paired flop may favor the opening range. A small c-bet of roughly 25–33% pot with a wide range, including misses, can be a candidate in those conditions.

CautionA small bet and a range bet are different concepts. Do not bet every hand on every board; adjust on connected boards favorable to the BB, multiway, under ICM pressure and for the opponent’s response.

When to use itA small open with a strong pocket pair can invite weak calls or a reraise. Postflop, a small bet on a dry board against an aggressive opponent can also leave room for a raise.

CautionAn opponent is not guaranteed to raise. Compare the benefit with the risk of giving weak hands a cheap chance to improve.

When to use itOn low, connected boards where the BB can have more strong hands, leading may be an alternative to waiting for a c-bet. If a turn improves your range more than the opponent’s, compare checking with a small donk bet.

CautionNut advantage is not a reason to bet every hand. Select strong hands and good draws; apply stricter conditions in 3-bet pots, multiway pots or under ICM pressure.

When to use itAfter the opponent skips a flop c-bet, you may lead the turn. Choose strong hands that weaker holdings can call and draws that can improve if called; consider the benefit of folding out high-card hands too.

CautionA checking range can contain strong hands. If you called the opponent’s bet on the previous street and then lead into them, that is a donk bet.

When to use itIf you do not want to build the pot immediately on the flop, checking is an option. Reassess the turn card and the opponent’s check, then consider a delayed c-bet when there is a value or bluff rationale.

CautionChecking once does not mean you must bluff the next street.

When to use itIf weak pairs and draws remain after the flop call, a strong hand may value-bet the turn. For a bluff, first check whether the turn favors your range or gives you a strong draw.

CautionReassess the opponent’s flop-calling range. With medium showdown value, checking to control the pot may be better than turning the hand into a bluff.

When to use itA third value bet can work if weaker hands will still call. For a bluff, check your blockers to strong calls, whether your line is consistent, and why the opponent would fold.

CautionStrong hands remain after two calls. There is no next card to improve a missed river draw. Betting twice does not justify a third barrel; check your showdown value too.

When to use itBefore betting top pair, identify which weaker pairs or kickers will call. Choose a size those hands can pay, and plan whether further value is available on the next street.

CautionIf betting leaves only stronger hands in the pot, consider checking even with a seemingly strong pair.

When to use itA middle pair that is ahead now may lose after giving overcards a free card. Betting can deny that opportunity, but also consider the hands you will face when called.

CautionAvoid huge bets solely to protect a hand. Check whether you still expect to win when called.

When to use itIf you have many nut-strength hands and the opponent is likely to have mostly medium holdings, an overbet can apply pressure. Combine strong hands with bluffs that have a reason to make the opponent fold.

CautionCheck whether the opponent can have checked strong hands and whether your range contains enough bluffs.

When to use itA small river bet with a medium pair can collect value from slightly weaker hands. It may reduce how often you face a large bet, but the opponent can still raise.

CautionA cheap showdown is not guaranteed. Plan for raises and include some strong hands.

When to use itWhen a bet is called, the pot grows and the stacks shrink. To extract value with a strong hand through the river, calculate the next pot and remaining chips before choosing workable sizes on each street.

CautionRevise the plan if cards or actions change its assumptions. Do not commit the whole stack mechanically.

When to use itChecking a strong hand before raising can win additional chips. Including semi-bluffs with strong draws makes a check less revealing of weakness.

CautionYou cannot raise if the opponent checks back. Adjust frequency for the opponent’s range, bet size and player count.

When to use itIf you check only weak hands, the opponent can bet comfortably. Checking some strong hands and responding with calls or check-raises makes relentless aggression harder.

CautionDo not miss value solely to protect a range. Check the board’s draws and the opponent’s aggression.

When to use itA medium pair or ace-high can beat weaker holdings without betting. If weaker hands are unlikely to call, checking or calling can keep the pot manageable and preserve that winning potential.

CautionThis does not mean always check or call. Consider size, range and player count; value-bet when weaker hands can call.

When to use itChecking after your opponent checks lets you see the next card without adding chips, or reach showdown on the river. It preserves a medium hand’s ability to beat weaker hands instead of unnecessarily turning it into a bluff.

CautionDo not check only weak hands. Retain strong hands to respond to later aggression.

When to use itWith a strong hand on a dry board against an opponent who bets often, checking or calling may keep bluffs in. The aim is to induce another bet instead of forcing a fold with a large bet of your own.

CautionOn draw-heavy boards or against opponents who rarely bet, watch for missed value and the risk of being outdrawn.

When to use itBetting a draw can win through an immediate fold or by making a strong hand after being called. Weigh both possibilities when comparing bet versus check or raise versus call.

CautionDo not attack with every draw. Consider nut potential, the number of opponents and ICM.

When to use itWhen your river hand rarely wins at showdown, blockers to strong calls and your preceding actions can help select a bluff. Use the opponent’s range and the bet size to judge whether better hands can realistically fold.

CautionIn a simple one-bet model, the required fold rate is bet ÷ (original pot + bet). The opponent is not guaranteed to fold that often.

When to use itIf your made hand loses to the value range, a call wins mainly against bluffs. Estimate how many remain and which your cards remove, then compare with the required equity.

CautionHaving a made hand alone does not justify a call. Tighten your calling range against opponents who bluff too little.

When to use itHeads-up on the river, facing a 10 BB bet into 20 BB, MDF is 20 ÷ (20 + 10), about 67%. That is the continuing fraction of the range facing the bet, not this hand’s equity. Calling requires 10 ÷ (20 + 10 + 10) = 25% equity—a different number.

CautionThis model assumes a called bluff has zero equity and ignores future bets, rake and ICM. Do not apply it directly to multiway pots or raises. Do not call weak hands merely to meet MDF against an opponent who rarely bluffs.

When to use itIf an opponent c-bets widely but often gives up on the turn, you may call in position and bet after the next check. Prefer some improvement potential, such as backdoors, and plan your response if they bet again.

CautionDo not simply call with nothing and force a bluff later.

When to use itIn a multiway pot, do not overvalue one pair. Be more selective about value hands and draws, and account for players behind who can raise.

CautionDo not copy heads-up bluff rates or MDF directly. One pair often loses relative strength.

When to use itNear the bubble or at a final table, losing to a covering stack costs not only chips but future prize opportunities. A call that is slightly profitable in chip EV can therefore be unattractive in prize EV.

CautionPrecise figures require every remaining player’s stack and the payout structure. Effective stacks alone are not enough.

When to use itA covering player can steal by exploiting another player’s elimination risk; a covered player pays a greater price for losing an all-in call. Check for even shorter stacks and assess how pressure flows across the whole field.

CautionBig stacks cannot attack without limit. Colliding with another large stack can be expensive.

When to use itA large increase at the next finishing position makes elimination costly. But waiting can also miss profitable opportunities. Compare the value of playing a hand with the other short stacks and the payout differences.

CautionMerely surviving can sacrifice expected value. Consider the value of gaining chips as well.

When to use itHeads-up, the BTN is also the SB: it acts first preflop and last postflop. Ranges widen against a single opponent, but retain strong hands in limping and calling ranges as well as raising ranges.

CautionDo not continue using full-table early-position ranges. Account for an unusually tight opponent too.

When to use itIn a format where all qualifiers earn the same reward, protecting a likely qualification may be worth more than adding chips. Compare your safety with the other short stacks before risking a large confrontation.

CautionTreat this differently from a standard top-heavy MTT. Check the actual payouts and every player’s remaining stack.

When to use itA bounty can make a call or entry more attractive than in a normal tournament. Check that you cover the opponent and can actually eliminate them, and how much of the reward is paid immediately.

CautionPokerLift’s standard MTT and numerical evaluations do not include bounties. Standard ICM alone does not establish an optimal bounty decision.

When to use itYou may bluff more against frequent folders and value-bet more against weak calls. Against an underbluffer, folding weaker bluff-catchers can be appropriate. Choose the adjustment that fits the observed tendency.

CautionDo not infer a player’s entire style from one result. Record the observation separately from your reason for adjusting.

When to use itIf an opponent bluffs too much, check-calling strong hands may retain later bets instead of raising immediately and making bluffs fold. Do not call with everything; mix in value raises too.

CautionAn aggressive player does not necessarily bluff large river raises frequently. Read each situation separately.

When to use itMatch a revealed hand to the opponent’s position, entry size and betting line. Repeated evidence under similar conditions lets you refine future range estimates gradually. Do not change your judgment from a single win or loss.

CautionOne result or unusual hand does not invalidate a good decision or define the opponent’s entire range.