Preflop aggression: Why not make a 3-bet?

We are currently still analysing heads-up situations. And this is where you have to ask yourself: How did you end up in this situation in the first place?

In a raised pot, the only possibility is that you cold called from the blinds. This is the only way for you to play out of position without the initiative. In a 3-bet pot, you might very well only call a 3-bet after an open-raise from early position. We will come back to this situation later.

The basic question you have to ask yourself is: Can donk bets become a regular part of my long-term game?

The most important thing about your game is that you have a good plan at hand for many different situations. If you 3-bet, how do you continue postflop? If you only call, how do you play the flop? If you donk bet on the flop, how do you proceed on the turn?

If you generally plan to integrate donk bets into your game, you have to prefer the line call preflop / donk bet flop to the line 3-bet preflop when you are up against certain opponent types.

In the end, you are playing aggressively to try and win the pot or to extract value. But why not already do so preflop?

The following example illustrates this fundamental problem:

PartyPoker $25 NL Hold'em (6-handed)

Stacks & Stats
MP ($25)
CO ($25)
UTG ($25) (Rock)
Hero ($25)
SB ($25)
BU ($25)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A , A
UTG raises $1.00, 4 folds, Hero calls $1.00

Flop: ($2.10) 6, 6, T (2 players)
Hero bets $1.40, ...

This example gives you the opportunity to have a closer look at all the relevant questions: Preflop, you could have easily made a 3-bet, but didn't because you didn't want to drive any weaker hand out of the pot. In general, this is not a good play; however we are intentionally examining the best hand, AA. With hands such as QQ/JJ-, there are more even reasons that speak against a 3-bet preflop, clearly making a call the better choice.

If you decide to slow play your hand before the flop, why would you donk the flop? Do you see your opponent call so many weaker hands now, while he rarely actively bets with weaker hands? Although you want to keep his range open preflop, you confront him with a donk bet on the flop.

Would it not have made more sense to check the flop here?

You definitely have to think about these things. Just keep in mind: You want to avoid heads-up situations out of position as much as you can (especially when they are not necessary, although of course it can make sense with many hands to only call in the blinds).