Beginner strategy questions

DaReKa

DaReKa

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Ok, I've run into the problem of not being sure when to 3bet, when to fold, and when to call. I read "Crushing the Microstakes" and it advocates very little calling, but also says he avoids 3 betting with things like AQ, TT, or JJ. It is really hard for me to fold these IP or from the blinds. But I would fold them all to a 4 bet, unless I'm up against a guy with crazy stats. So I guess what I'm asking is...How much should I tighten my range against a PFR? Should I be folding upper-mid Pocket Pairs here? (With IP, OOP, high PFR%, and normal PFR% as considerations.)

Here is an example. I felt this guy was forcing me off a lot of my BTN hands that I'd normally play, and he had a high-ish PFR (26%) so I 3bet light. He called, checked the flop, and then raised my cbet. I probably should've just folded preflop, but now that I'm here should I just check? His fold to cbet was 0/2.

Merge Network $0.02/$0.04 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players

SB: $4.00
BB: $5.98
UTG: $1.09
MP: $7.50
CO: $2.17
Hero (BTN): $4.87

Pre Flop: ($0.06) Hero is BTN with T :spade: A :diamond:
1 fold, MP raises to $0.12, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.36, 2 folds, MP calls $0.24

Flop: ($0.78) 6 :spade: 8 :club: Q :diamond: (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $0.39, MP raises to $1.17, Hero folds
 
Last edited:
Lucothefish

Lucothefish

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I haven't read 'crushing the microstakes' but calling IP is fine and correct a lot of the time. Mid PPs like 77-JJ are great hands to call with IP and you'll have the best hand on a lot of flops. The AT hand posted is also a good spot to call.

OOP is different and I'm guessing CTM says only 3bet or fold because it's aimed at people who tend to butcher their hands OOP with multiple check/calls or check/folds and very little regard for their opponent. So if you're playing OOP / from the blinds a 3bet or fold strategy with a tight range makes a lot of sense.

Try not to find it hard to fold average hands. Tight is right, many of the most consistent winners online are complete nits.
 
DaReKa

DaReKa

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Thanks for the feedback, I tried to defend my blinds some and it ended up pretty bad; I lost like 5$ from SB and 1$ from BB turning what would have been a good session into a little better than break-even. I think at the level I play at I should just play very tight from the blinds. Leakbuster convinced me to defend them more >.< But I'm still gonna practice defending them based on who's raising and the stats I have on them. Gotta make the most of this HUD :)
 
jesseg

jesseg

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Luco's advice is pretty solid. You need much better hands to call OOP, and this is why your 3-betting ranges from the blinds should tend to be more merged and less polarized than when you're IP. The idea is that you can call a bit more IP without much of a problem.
 
ReptillianAgenda

ReptillianAgenda

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i like the cbet here, especially In position.. When he re raises you here, you get all the information you need for this hand, and you fold it. you played it fine IMO nh and good bet and good fold.
 
DaReKa

DaReKa

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Thanks, I'm improving a lot with practice and study. I am hustling the lowest stakes now pretty easily :cool: And I reread the LeakBuster article and took notes, then practiced using the moves it suggested with a guide, so now I have a lot more confidence in my decisions in situations like these, and am taking down a lot of pots in or out of position.
 
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