This sample hand deals with the following problem: we are in a heads-up situation, in position, have a really strong hand and our opponent bets. Normally we call the bet so that we can raise on the turn. But there are situations where we should play a different line:
Preflop: Hero is CO with A♠, A♥
UTG folds, UTG+1 raises, 4 folds, Hero 3-bets, 3 folds, UTG+1 caps, Hero calls.
Flop: (9.50 SB) 8♦, 6♣, 4♠ (2 players)
UTG+1 bets, Hero raises, UTG+1 3-bets, Hero calls.
Turn: (7.75 BB) 2♠ (2 players)
UTG+1 bets, Hero raises, UTG+1 calls.
River: (11.75 BB) J♦ (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets, UTG+1 calls.
Final Pot: 13.75 BB
In this hand we are holding AA and 3-bet the UTG1 raise. The opponent caps. We hit a good flop because it is unlikely that our opponent has a set. Many players would play the standard move here which is not ideal. A direct flop raise has the following advantages:
1. If we raise directly, we are inducing a calldown of hands like AK or AQ which would fold to a turn bet.
2. In the case that our opponent holds KK or QQ he will often 3-bet. We will only call that 3-bet and raise the turn like it happened here. By playing this way we are getting the maximum value from our opponents.
3. Sometimes an ace or king appears on the turn. If our opponent holds QQ or JJ he will just play check/call. Compared to a flop raise we would lose a small bet if we would play call flop, raise turn.
For this reason the standard move in these situations (preflop heads-up cap, we have AA, are in position and on the flop only ”unimportant“ cards appear) is: raise/call flop, raise turn.
