An aggressive player opens the cutoff and you have ace-queen on the button. Call or 3-bet?
Calling with strong hands keeps things simple. Against players who open wide, it can leave a lot of money behind.
The hand
$1/$3 No-Limit Hold'em, 9-handed. You have $500, the cutoff has $500. The cutoff is an aggressive recreational player: plays loose and likes to bet and bluff.
- You
- Button, A♦Q♠
- Preflop
- The cutoff raises to $15.
What do you do?
How to think about it
1. Know your options
The cutoff raises to $15. You can fold, call $15 or raise to $50.
2. Ask what this player opens
The raiser is an aggressive recreational player: plays loose and likes to bet and bluff. From the cutoff, a player like this opens a very wide range: weak aces, kings, suited connectors and offsuit broadways.
3. Ask how ace-queen does against that range
- Against weaker aces and broadway hands, ace-queen dominates: when you both pair, you usually have the better kicker.
- You'll have position for the rest of the hand.
- Does this player call a 3-bet with the weaker hands you dominate?
Compare this with king-jack against a tight under-the-gun raiser: there, you're the one being dominated.
See the engine's answer
LevelUp's poker engine works out exactly what this player holds here, how often each option wins, and its dollar value against this opponent type. Play spots like this at an animated table, explain your reasoning, and find out which of your instincts are costing you money.
The takeaway
When your hand dominates the hands an opponent opens and calls with, build the pot. Against wide, loose openers, strong hands often want to 3-bet.