This guide provides an overview of our strategic viewpoint when playing from the BTN. While we will reference examples from NLHE cash games, many of these principles are applicable to different formats like tournaments. PLO .
Let’s highlight the critical aspects of playing from the BTN ( button ).
- The best position at the table.
- Guaranteed to be in position postflop.
- It offers an excellent opportunity for blind stealing.
- We are the third player to act preflop, which can lead to our cold calls being either called or squeezed.
The Button – An Overview
The most advantageous situation occurs when the action folds around to the BTN, granting us the chance to steal the blinds. Skilled players often seek to steal aggressively from the BTN with about 50% of their hand range. preflop Steal – This term refers to an open-raise made from the small blind (SB), cutoff (CO), or button (BTN).
Opening from a late position is termed a 'steal attempt' because it presents a great opportunity to claim the blinds without needing to see a flop.
A steal from the BTN is deemed successful if both the big blind (BB)
While this scenario is our preferred approach, we also find profitable avenues when facing open-raises. With our positional advantage guaranteed (regardless of the outcome), we aim to challenge our opponent’s open-raises by using cold-calls and 3-bets. big blind ) and SB ( small blind ) fold when facing a BTN open.
Even though the BTN is a highly advantageous position, we cannot call as liberally as we would from the BB when responding to open-raises. We must remain cautious because our cold calls may be over-called or squeezed by the blinds. Thus, while we strive for aggressive play in open-raise situations, our level of aggression is moderated against open-raises. postflop Be very aggressive in stealing when it is folded to us. Also, when facing open-raises, we should capitalize on our favorable position by utilizing cold calls and 3-bets.
Suggested average frequency for cold calls: Around 10%
Strategic Outlook on the BTN
Suggested average frequency for 3-bets: Around 9%
Stats:
Suggested average frequency for raise first in: Around 48%
(Keep in mind that these statistics account for a variety of different open-raise sizes)
In this segment, we will examine some sample ranges applicable to button play so that we understand the appropriate calling, folding, or raising actions from this position.
This chart illustrates a representative range for defending against a CO 3bb.
Sample Ranges From the BUTTON
If the CO opts for a smaller open-raise, we should widen our defense, but we'll discuss that later. Notice that the 3-betting range is heavily skewed towards high equity hands. Since players tend not to fold as much as they should when they face 3-bets, it makes sense to refrain from 3-betting speculative hands in most game types.
BTN Defence vs CO Open
Purple: Re-raise (3bet) range
Blue: Cold calling range
The significant distinction should be clear. We defend a tighter selection of holdings from the BTN in response to an early position open. open-raise Preflop action that folds around to us creates a great opportunity for stealing when we are situated in the BTN. bluff This raising range amounts to roughly 48% of total holdings. We raise with enthusiasm, aiming to capture the blinds, while still maintaining some caution regarding how wide we choose to open.
BTN Defence vs Lojack Open
Purple: Re-raise (3bet) range
Blue: Cold calling range
If we attempt to open-raise too aggressively, sharp players in the blinds can take advantage of this strategy.
BTN Raise First In Range
“Raise first in” means to open-raise Despite this, most players sitting in the blinds may not know how to effectively counter aggressive raises from the BTN. It’s not unusual for players to successfully raise 70% or more of their holdings profitably from this position under some circumstances.
When we aggressively attempt to steal from the BTN, we may occasionally encounter limits from the blinds. The following sample range provides a guideline for what hands we should call and what we should consider re-raising (4-betting).
In most contexts, 4-betting is generally not encouraged, as the average opponent doesn’t fold as often as they should against 4-bets.
BTN vs Blinds 3bet
It’s important to recognize that the sample 3bets should serve as a rough guideline rather than a definitive rule. In practice, our defending ranges will shift based on various factors. A solid comprehension of these factors will empower us to make well-informed decisions on the spot.
Blue = Call vs 3bet
Purple = Re-raise (4bet) vs 3bet
Note that we tend towards re-raise ( 4betting ) with high equity hands only. 4bet bluffing Opponent’s sizing – As our rival increases their open-raise size, our defense becomes tighter.
Relevant Adjustments
Position – The later our opponent's position, the broader our defense can be. ranges Reads – For example, if the opponent folds too frequently to 3-bets or 4-bets, we can increase our aggression with 3-bets and 4-bets.
Villain's Skill – If our adversary is not very skilled, it allows us to play a wider range of hands.
Steals – When the blinds tend to fold frequently, we can widen our open-raising range from the button, sometimes even raising with any two cards.
Cold-calls – If the blinds are tight and seldom squeeze, we can afford to cold-call with more hands from the BTN.
Iso Raising – This tactic involves raising from the BTN in response to an open limp. Since we are assured of being in position after the flop, the BTN is indeed the optimal location for iso-raising. Therefore, we can raise assertively (although typically not quite as aggressively as we would in our initial raise range from this position).
Iso-raise – A preflop raise made against a limper.
Overcalling/Squeezing – These terms relate to three-way scenarios. When we are against two opponents, we generally prefer to 3-bet (
Other Scenarios
) with speculative hands that have good suited or connected potential.
Overcall – A call that occurs after another player has already called prior to us on the current street.
Squeeze – A 3-bet executed after at least one player has already called an open-raise. squeeze ) a tighter range and weight our calls ( overcall Purple: Squeeze (re-raise) range For comparison, this illustrates what a BTN squeezing or overcalling range might resemble when facing a HJ open and a CO call.
Timothy \"Ch0r0r0\" Allin is a professional poker player, coach, and author. Since his journey began in 2006, he has advanced from the lowest stakes online without making any deposits. Having competed successfully in some of the toughest lineups globally, he now shares his insights and strategies through the 888poker magazine.
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Blue: Overcalling range
