Lecture 3 - common blocker effects

Question 1

The more positive the blockers to more…

Answer 1

I’m likely to invest money even in an unfavorable configuration.

The more negative, I’m more likely to invest when the configuration is very positive for me.

Question 2

Name good/negative functions for bluffing

Answer 2

-Combo blocks calls (positive)/Blocks folds (negative)

-Combo unblock folds(positive)/unblock calls(negative)

-Combo blocks value (positive)/combo blocks bluffs(negative)

-Combo unblocks bluffs(positibe)/unblocks value(negative)

Of those 8 things, we’re going to focus on “combo unblocks folds” in the lecture today.

Question 3

HJ vs BB SRP,

KJ7 hdd X/B75/C
turn 4s X/B150/C
river 2h

This is a neutral world (or slightly favorable for HJ), so blockers are relevant.

Rank the following combos for blocking/unblocking folds from best (must bluff) to worst (never bluff)

1. Q8hh
   2.A6dd
   3.T9cc
   4.AdTs
   5.A3ss

Answer 3

A6dd block 76dd and Ax of diamonds, so block tons of folds - worst hand in history

AdTs blocks all AdXd which fold, and some QT - second worst hand of this batch

Q8hh/T9cc - is ok, it does block a little of his fold range (QT) but not that much. Also Q8 does block some calls (KQ) - which is an extra advantage over T9.

A3ss - a beautiful bluff, unblocking all of his folds (diamonds,QT,65 etc).

Question 4

How do I determine which hands are better bluffs than others based on solver’s output?

Answer 4

Look at the EV and frequency. The more EV a bluff is, the better bluff it is…

Question 5

Why is it easier to focus on blocking/unblocking folds and not calls?

Answer 5

Because calls vs our bluffs have different kickers, whereas folds are a lot of missed draws which are homogenous so easier to block/unblock

Question 6

SB vs BB 3-bet pot, got checked to the river, now sb can stab on 775r flop,J turn j river. What does BB’s folding range look like and how would I block/unblock it?

Answer 6

His folding range is K/Q highs eg double broadway which 3-bet preflop. So bluffing with KQ is bad because I unblock his folding range. It’s better to bluff with T/9 highs.

Question 7

How do i determine the favorability of a configuration for one player or another?

Answer 7

Range’s EV

Question 8

BB vs UTG SRP:

Flop A65dhs X/X
Turn Ks x/x
River Kd

What’s the range equity/favorability of BB when coming into this river?

Answer 8

Really bad - UTG has a ton of Kx hands which check to this point

Question 9

BB vs UTG SRP:

Flop A65dhs X/X
Turn Ks x/x
River Kd

Compare the following hands in terms of fold equity:

T9ss,
T9dd,
75hh

Answer 9

UTG would bet a lot of his ss on the turn. That means that he doesn’t have frequently spades checking down to the river, but could have dd,hh etc. This means that we unblock his folding range and T9ss it’s a better bluff than T9dd.

T9dd - I should never bluff because I block the air hands which check down to the river

75hh - we have a smidge of SDV and block a little of his calling range like some 5x- since position is not favorable, this is the only hand that I might want to bluff with on this configuration.

Question 10

Busted flush draws - is it better to have them on a X/X X/X lines or on B/C B/C lines?

Answer 10

Much better to have those on passive lines because villain is betting more with flush draws than with no flush draws.

=> On passive lines it’s better to have the busted flush draws, on active lines it’s better to have the other suites.

Question 11

HW3 is…?

Answer 11

OOP as BB SRP on a X/X X/X. Take random spots and ask:

1. What’s the favorability of BB? (after that compare with solver’s BB EV)
2. What hands are Y-2…Y+2 (very good, good, mediocre, bad or very bad) in terms of blocking or unblocking villian’s folding range?
   What hands are the best bluffs?
   What should I do with those hands and at what frequency?

Then compare my answers with solver’s actual output.