We lately lined the technique for defending BB on low-card boards with 100bb, and now we’ll focus on event situations.
On this article, we’ll analyze examples of each dry and linked flops with a 40bb stack and see tips on how to alter in numerous conditions.
Defending BB on Dry Low-Card Boards – 9s5h2c
We are going to use the PeakGTO solver to investigate low-card flop textures in conditions the place you name from the BB vs the BTN open and see a dry flop with all low playing cards.
Key assumptions in regards to the hand:
- We’re taking part in 40bb deep with 12.5% ante
- Our opponent elevate from the BTN
- SB folds, and we name from the BB
- We examine to preflop raiser and face a wager
To kick issues off, let’s have a look at the 9s5h2c instance.

On this scenario, you’ll largely face a big c-bet, so you’ll solely must defend 46% of the time. This can embody calling with 36% of the fingers and check-raising 10% of your holdings.
As you may see from the PeakGTO breakdown, we’ll proceed with all fingers which have any fairness by calling and can largely elevate our prime pairs, together with some gutshots.
Our technique stays largely unchanged when the stacks drop to 20bb.

We’re nonetheless defending the same quantity of fingers, simply check-raise a bit extra aggressively, and are able to commit with most of our prime pairs. Apart from that, we nonetheless hold calling with any pair and broadway overcards, making this a reasonably straightforward spot to play.
Key takeaways
- Verify your total vary from the Huge Blind
- Defend over round half of your fingers with each 40bb and 20bb stacks
- Verify-raise extra aggressively when stacks grow to be shorter along with your prime pairs
- Name all fingers which can be a pair or higher, and your strongest overcards
C-Betting On Linked Low-Card Boards OOP – 8h7h5d
Key assumptions in regards to the hand:
- We’re taking part in 40bb deep with 12.5% ante
- Our opponent elevate from the BTN
- SB folds, and we name from the BB
- We examine to preflop raiser and face a wager
Whereas on linked boards, you may have a number one vary, however you’ll nonetheless be checking with most of your vary. Due to this fact, we think about breaking down this case. Let’s have a look at the 8h7h5d instance.

Your opponent ought to largely use two-thirds pot dimension c-bets, and in these conditions, we have to defend round 55% of the fingers. We shall be calling 42% and check-raising 13% of the time.
The recreation concept optimum technique is pretty evenly distributed between the fingers we proceed.
We shall be examine elevating made fingers like straights and two pairs, and mixing this in with vocational attracts. Moreover, we shall be calling almost all 8x and 7x fingers and letting go of the weakest combos with the underside pair.
When the stacks drop to 20bb, your opponent will nearly completely keep on with a small c-bet.

Since you may be getting significantly better odds on this scenario, you will have to defend a wider vary in keeping with the MDF technique. To be extra exact, you will have to defend 68% of the fingers.
This can embody calling 45% and elevating 23% of the time, which is a really aggressive technique.
You need to be able to put your event poker life on the road and check-raise with all of your prime pairs or stronger fingers, and stability this out with some open-ended straight attracts. For calling, it is best to proceed with all one-pair fingers that don’t elevate on the flop, and most of your flush attracts.
Key takeaways
- You possibly can have a number one vary on linked boards, however it is best to nonetheless examine most of your fingers
- Defend round 55% of the time with 40bb and largely lean to calling
- Verify-raise far more aggressively when stacks go right down to 20bb, and be able to commit with prime pairs