Flop Analysis
Standard check to the preflop aggressor. While this board is better for our range than an Ace-high texture, we still check our entire range to the button.
We used a strong draw to pressure the button, though our sizing on the flop and turn could be more efficient for our stack depth.
Standard check to the preflop aggressor. While this board is better for our range than an Ace-high texture, we still check our entire range to the button.
Raising here is a high-frequency play. With an open-ended straight draw and a backdoor flush draw, we have enough equity to play aggressively and deny equity to the button's overcards. **Ranges:** This board favors our defending range significantly. We have all the sets (99, 88, 22) and two-pairs (98s) that the button often doesn't have at full frequency, giving us a nut advantage that supports a check-raising strategy. **Sizing:** Our raise to 6BB is quite large given the 23BB starting stacks. A smaller raise to ~3.6BB achieves the same goal of putting the button's air in a tough spot while keeping the SPR more manageable for the turn. --- > **Takeaway:** On low, connected boards, use your best draws to check-raise and capitalize on your nut advantage.
Note: The raise size is slightly too large for the current stack depth, making future streets awkward.
The turn is a total brick, and we should continue our aggression. However, with an SPR of less than 1, our choice of sizing is critical. **Math:** With only 15BB behind and 17.3BB in the pot, we are in a 'shove or check' scenario. By betting 8BB, we commit ourselves anyway but give the opponent a better price to call with hands like JT or overcards that might fold to an all-in. **Plan:** Shoving here maximizes fold equity and ensures we realize our full equity when called. If we check, we allow the button to realize their equity for free or potentially bluff us off our draw. --- > **Takeaway:** When the SPR drops below 1.0 on the turn, prefer shoving your semi-bluffs to maximize fold equity.
Note: At this SPR, an all-in shove is more effective than a mid-sized bet to maximize fold equity.