Defending Blinds

[Acefilleddreams]

Villian had tried raised my BB the last three. I felt this may be a good spot to defend. It worked out for me, but would like input.

Thanks

PokerStars Limit Hold'em, $2.00 BB (8 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com


Preflop: Hero is BB with ,
6 folds, SB raises, Hero 3-bets, SB calls

Flop: (6 SB) , 10d, (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, 1 fold

Total pot: $6 (3 BB) | Rake: $0.25

Results:
Hero didn't show , (nothing).
Outcome: Hero won $5.75

[Tony]

This is a little close, and I generally fold J2o personally but it's fine.  When you know your opponent is opening a wide range from the SB, it's correct and necessary to call with a very wide range in the BB.  Many people play any two cards in this situation, because it's so favourable.  You have position, he has a wide range and you're getting 3:1 to call.

In this situation I usually play any pair, any ace, any two suited cards, any face card except maybe J2o and J3o, T6+, 96+, 85+, 75+, 64+, 54.  Basically anything that isn't complete trash.  If you want to keep it simple just call with any two cards.

Note though that you wouldn't call with a hand as weak as this if you were defending a steal raise from the BB, since in this case you're out of position.

[Acefilleddreams]

I agree J2o is at the extreme end of the range here. Essentially that was why I reraised him as I figured if he calls/check then he was attempting to steal and I could bet to induce a fold.

If I am wrong he calls/bet and can easily know I am behind here and let it go losing 2 bb instead of 1bb but also showing villian i was willing to defend my blind here.

I really thought it was a win/win

[Tony]

Oh crikey, sorry I misread the hand.  I didn't realise you reraised him preflop.  No I definitely wouldn't recommend that, but calling is fine.

To be more precise, reraising isn't bad if you're sure he's opening any two cards, since your equity is probably about 40%-ish and you have the initiative.  And if he's very weak-tight and will fold unless he hits postlop then it would actually be the best way to play.

BUT you have to balance this with the fact that J2o is a reverse implied odds hand, and anyway most players don't open ATC from the SB and WILL call down lightly in a blind v blind situation.

In general versus a loose unknown (say >50%) from the SB I three bet with hands like any pair, any ace and any two cards 8 or higher,  and call with anything else except big/little cards where the big card isn't even very big.  I only fold about the bottom 20%, even versus an unknown.  If they're very loose and bad, or I feel like I need to defend I'll play any two cards.  Some people like to also three bet with hands like 87s, and that's also fine if you want to do that.

[Acefilleddreams]

I agree J2o is at the extreme end of the range here. Essentially that was why I reraised him as I figured if he calls/check then he was attempting to steal and I could bet to induce a fold.

If I am wrong he calls/bet and can easily know I am behind here and let it go losing 2 bb instead of 1bb but also showing villian i was willing to defend my blind here.

I really thought it was a win/win

lol looks like I was a bit off on my reasoning... Thanks for the responses. Looking forward to more discussions as I learn...

[CoolDuck]

If he's that aggressive I would just call PF.  You're equity with J2o is pretty brutal, plus it's extremely difficult to play post-flop in reality.  If you were raised on that flop you'd probably have to call down if your opponent was being a tool on the button.