$2 NLHE 6-max: What are these min-raises supposed to mean?

[Casey55]

This opponent was playing somewhat aggressive. how do we perceive these silly min raises and does villain play Ax this way?

pokerstars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.01/$0.02 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG: $1.05 (53 bb)
MP (Hero): $2.64 (132 bb)
CO: $2.00 (100 bb)
BU: $2.29 (115 bb)
SB: $1.88 (94 bb)
BB: $1.51 (76 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.03) Hero is MP with 9♥ 8♥
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.05, 3 players fold, BB 3-bets to $0.08, Hero calls $0.03

Flop: ($0.17) 3♥ A♠ 8♠ (2 players)
BB bets $0.16, Hero calls $0.16

Turn: ($0.49) 4♦ (2 players)
BB bets $0.47, MP (Hero) folds

Total pot: $0.49 (Rake: $0.02)
BB wins $0.47


Here's another one with different opponent


PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.01/$0.02 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG: $3.54 (177 bb)
MP (Hero): $2.00 (100 bb)
CO: $2.95 (148 bb)
BU: $0.83 (42 bb)
SB: $2.35 (118 bb)
BB: $2.38 (119 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.03) Hero is MP with J♥ K♥
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.05, CO 3-bets to $0.10, 3 players fold, Hero calls $0.05

Flop: ($0.23) 4♦ 8♥ 8♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $0.12, MP (Hero) folds

Total pot: $0.23 (Rake: $0.01)
CO wins $0.22

 

[mktpppr]

Population in nl2 plays face-up, so these small 3bets, just like bigger sizings, usually mean strength.

Hand #1

P: loose open, not crazy, but I open fold here. Tighten up your open raising range and size to 3x.

As played (open raise), fine to flat IP vs min-3bet from weak player.

F: as played, I would make a tight fold: middle pair and BDFD combo is nice, but A-high and pot-sized cbet after min-3bet preflop is a concern. Looks like BB is going for max protection and value vs exactly our type of hand.

T: as played, easy fold.

Don't get into habit of folding turns and rivers in nl2: you're burning money. Let go preflop or on flop.

Hand #2

P: open raise to 3x, and make a tight fold OOP vs 2x 3bet. We have a pretty hand, but playing OOP in bloated 3bet pots isn't necessary in nl2. Just focus on position and initiative in nl2.

F: as played, check/fold, 2 overs and BDFD combo is nice, but we're OOP.

 

[gustav197poker]

This may sound a bit simplistic, but from experience I can tell that ridiculous preflop min raises generally mean combinations of type Axs and low pockets like 22-66. Which would indicate that this villain probably flopped his set on the flop and is now betting on pure value in my opinion. Against these opponents you can make exploitative folds, for example fold on the flop when we have no relevant blockers. In this case we can call on the flop against this opponent with hands like K8s, because we block combinations like AK and A8, which are hands that a passive V could play in this way preflop.
I would not recommend folding preflop because that would be over folding, although when you can recognize these types of players well, I will say that sometimes the best weapon against a pointless action is to perform another pointless action.
The second hand is a bit similar to the first. But you have a better combination to make it 4-bet preflop and then bet on the flop. But to do this, first it is better to know if it is possible to knock down your opponent preflop. As played here the fold is correct.
Greetings.