This time, I would like to introduce some common leaks and how to deal with them.
Raising too much pre-flop
Raising too many hands loosely is a big leak:
you’ll be including a lot of junk hands in your raises, which will be harder to play, and
you’ll end up playing a big pot with low equity.
Solution
You can deal with such players by increasing the number of 3-bet.
Of course, you can also increase the frequency of calls, but there is a possibility that you will be isolated from other players, so here we will introduce how to deal with 3-bet.
Here, you can use two 3-betting ranges depending on your opponent’s tendencies:
1. Linear Range
This is a range created by selecting hands from strongest to weakest.
Polarized Range:
This is a range created by mixing a strong range with a weak range.
If your opponent’s 3-bet-fold rate is high (over 50%), use the polarized range (②).
In addition to strong hands like pairs, AK, and AQ, use suited connectors like 76s, 65s, 54s, 43s, 86s, 75s, and 64s, or Axs and Kxs like A2s-A6s and K2s-K9s.
If your opponent has a low 3-bet-fold rate, use the linear range shown in ①.
In addition to pairs and strong hands like AK and AQ, you can use hands like AJ, ATs, A9s, KQ, and KJs.
If your opponent is calling looser with hands like K8o, you can also make a value 3-bet with hands like KTo.
◆Pre-flop 3-bet rate is too low◆
If your preflop 3-bet rate is too low and you only 3-bet with hands like JJ+ or AQs+, your opponents will be more likely to fold, making it difficult to get value, and you will be targeted by implied odds against strong 3-betting ranges.
Solution
To begin with, the 3-bet rate is low, so there’s no need to force yourself to play when you’re 3-betted.
Against a tight range, you should only play a tight range (77 to QQ AQs+).
Hands like KQ and KJ are likely to be dominated against a tight opponent’s range, and are not strong enough to bet.
And even QQ and AK aren’t worth 4-betting, so 4-bet with KK+.
◆The flop CB rate is too high when out of position◆
Even if you are the original raiser pre-flop, you should not force a cbe out of position.
This will put you in a big pot out of position, and if your opponent floats on the flop, it will be a very difficult pot.
Solution
① Raise with as many hands as you can call backbenchers with.
This raise takes away equity from the original raiser’s air hands, and if it’s a draw, it forces them to pay a lot of risk.
Since you have position, it’s easier to control the pot after the turn and realize equity.
② Betting
CB rate is too high for checks Your opponent has almost no value range for checks, and you have both a nut advantage and a range advantage for that range.
By taking advantage of this and making a big bet with a high probability against their check, you can create a very tough spot for your opponent.
