what hands to call a single 3-bet in micros

I was wondering if there ever is a right hand to call 3-bets with in the micros. Im playing 2nl right now and ran into this hand which I think is a losing play in general (looking back. At the time, I was not too sure).


Party Poker - $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Holdem (9 players)
Party Poker Hand Converter Tool from CardsChat.com

SB: $1.99
BB: $2
UTG: $1.82
UTG+1: $1.85
MP: $2 (sitting out)
MP+1: $2.10 (sitting out)
MP+2 Hero: $2.14
CO: $1.69
BTN: $2.67

Pre-flop: ($0.03) Hero is MP+2 and dealt
UTG calls $0.02, UTG+1 calls $0.02, Hero raises to $0.12, 4 folds, UTG raises to $0.22, UTG+1 folds, Hero calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.49) (4 players)
UTG bets $0.23

Villain is loose passive with VPIP of 39.39 and PFR of 3.03. I never saw villain 3-bet before however. At the time, I thought villain's 3-bet range might be as wide as his preflop betting range so I called to see a flop, looking to fold if I did not connect which I did. However, looking back, I think this is a leak since I expect a normal TAG player to 3-bet with AK, AA, KK, and QQ all of which have me dominated. This makes me think calling or reraising a 3-bet is never profitable unless you have AA (even kings can be uneasy). I was wondering what opinions CC had. This is refering to micro levels and not higher stakes where players may be more willing to widen their 3-bet ranges.

ClubArrow77 said:

I expect a normal TAG player to 3-bet with AK, AA, KK, and QQ all of which have me dominated.

Click to expand...

This is the start of figuring it out.

But it's only the beginning. Adjust the range for player style, for positions at the table, for stack sizes, for how you appear to your opponent and whether or not they are even paying attention, then compare with your cards to determine how far ahead or behind your opponent's range you are, and then plan ahead by looking at your opponent's postflop style (a c-bet percentage of 90% is going to mean you may have to peel a lot of missed flops, ect.)

If your stats are significant enough in the example there's not much point calling with AQ looking for something that connects with your hand because any since A or Q has a good chance of costing you even more money or putting you in a difficult position against someone who only raises 3%.

What kind of sample is the 39/3 based on? That seems really bad and it's surprising that he would limp-3bet UTG. Based on what happened, I would just fold the flop. I have no idea what he has, but those cards have to be in his range, and you have nothing.

If he is 39/3 over like 100 hands or so, I think you will get another chance to get his chips soon.

I'm not sure if calling the 3bet is right, but I would have done it. It is such a weird bet size. If he had made it 36 or more, I would fold. What he did just seems really donk like.