Squeezing - Hands

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Squeezing - Hands

by Miiwiin

In this column we take a look at hands you could squeeze against. We've already looked at the advantages of squeezing and what kind of opponent you can use a move like this against. 

Now you need to differentiate between squeezing for value and as a bluff, whilst evaluating whether an alternative line might be preferable to a squeeze.

Evaluating the alternatives

A squeeze is only ever one option. If somebody raises before you and another player has called, you have three options available, as ever:

• You fold
• You call
• You squeeze

If you fold you have a simple decision. The EV is zero and you can avoid any problems with this move. This is the case when your hand in the multi-way pot just isn't strong enough, i.e. you can't find a call. You can't squeeze for value here and you don't think you have the right opponents for a bluff.

The call is the option of choice if you have a hand you can play easily in a multi-way pot or which is too strong for a squeeze/fold but too weak for a squeeze/push.

The squeeze is used in two scenarios. Either you think you're ahead and can squeeze/call for value, or you try to bluff with a squeeze play and squeeze/fold. The option to call isn't particularly appealing here, as you don't want to play your hand in a multi-way pot.

PartyPoker $100 NL Hold'em (6-handed)

Stacks & Stats
UTG ($100)
MP ($100)
CO ($100)
Hero ($100)
SB ($100)
BB ($100)

Preflop: Hero is BU with X, X
UTG raises to $4.00, 1 folds, CO calls $4.00, Hero squeezes?

Here you find yourself in a standard spot again: you're the button and there was action before you. At this point it's generally important to consider which move you think has the highest EV.

As described above, the EV when you fold is zero. You'll also spare yourself any further problems should there be a postflop play. What's interesting now is your thought process after you've decided to play this hand.

Your options are clear:

• Call
• Squeeze/fold
• Squeeze/push

You now need to ask yourself the following questions:

• Does the hand have good playability in the multi-way pot?
• Can you generate enough fold equity with a squeeze play?
• Can you squeeze/push for value because the opponent(s) will go broke with worse hands?

It's at precisely this point that it's important to examine your opponent and consider at what point he asserts himself most often.

You can divide the possible hands at this point into five categories, to give yourself a rough overview:

• Small pocket pairs (22-88)
• Medium pocket pairs (99-JJ)
• Suited connectors (45s-TJs)
• Suited aces (A2s+)
• Broadways (AJ-AT, KQ/KJ/KT/QT)

It goes without saying that you can't create a plan where you determine exactly which hand you can play best against which opponent.

However, a rough estimation of which of the above mentioned hands you can play best against which opponent is fundamental. Which line could have the highest EV?

Small pocket pairs (22-88)

Let's start with the small pocket pairs.

PartyPoker $100 NL Hold'em (6-handed)

Stacks & Stats
UTG ($100)
MP ($100)
CO ($100)
Hero ($100)
SB ($100)
BB ($100)

Preflop: Hero is BU with 5, 5
UTG raises to $4.00, 1 folds, CO calls $4.00, Hero squeezes?

So, would this be a good spot to squeeze, call or fold?

A fold is out of the question. Both of your opponents have 100BB stacks, that's more than enough to call on set value, at the very least.

The next thing to do is to take a look at your opponents, although in this example its often secondary. If you were to squeeze here, it would be a pure bluff. You can't squeeze/call a low pocket pair at this point, you would just be too far behind just about every other opponent's shoving range for that.

Equity analysis
	Equity	Win	Split	Loss	Hand
Player 1	36.4%	36.17%	0.47%	63.37%	5, 5
Player 2	63.6%	63.37%	0.47%	36.17%	99+, AJs+, AQo+

However, what is undisputable is that the playability postflop is more than acceptable. Still, playability here should be enjoyed with caution, as it simply means that you can act in position in a multi-way pot if there's a set on the flop. This would be a fat +EV spot.

If you don't hit you're all washed up. That's why we say: you might hit a super spot on the flop or you might not. At least you have an easy decision.

Medium pocket pairs (99-JJ)

This group is really difficult to play. On one hand, it's quite a strong hand and should be protected, on the other, it's not easy to go broke with ith preflop.

PartyPoker $100 NL Hold'em (6-handed)

Stacks & Stats
UTG ($100)
MP ($100)
CO ($100)
Hero ($100)
SB ($100)
BB ($100)

Preflop: Hero is BU with T, T
UTG raises to $4.00, 1 folds, CO calls $4.00, Hero squeezes?

In this scenario you need to think very carefully. Pocket tens are a nice hand and are largely ahead against the open raising range and cold calling range of your opponent.

If you choose to squeeze, you'll need to clarify the following questions first:

• Can you play squeeze/fold here?

Probably not. If you squeeze here, you do so for value because you think you're ahead. If one of your opponents goes over, you'll turn your hand into a bluff if you fold. However, for a bluff, you should fold better hands, it might prove a success with pocket jacks, but this shouldn't really be your goal.

• Can you play squeeze/push (call) here?

This is precisely the question you need to consider. The following is important: just because you're ahead of both ranges of your opponents mentioned above, you're still a long way off squeezing for value. You can only do this when you think that your opponents will shove worse hands over your squeeze (or call these weaker hands).

Is this the case? You need really solid reads for this. The open raiser needs to be a maniac who doesn't just easily play 99-/AQ-, but also regularly defends with a pure bluff.

Equity analysis
	Equity	Win	Split	Loss	Hand
Player 1	54.78%	54.07%	1.42%	44.51%	T, T
Player 2	45.22%	44.51%	1.42%	54.07%	66+, A9s+, ATo+

Even then you're probably resorting to a marginal spot, as you can see.

Statements such as "I can easily squeeze pocket tens for value!" are simply wrong in most cases. If you're playing against thinking opponents without reads, then this is a very hot spot.

So, if you're aware of this then what's the alternative? Here too we can say: a call is definitely not a mistake but should actually be a line you opt for regularly. Some may think it looks weak, but just consider the alternatives.

However, what's also clear is that you'll often manouevre in clumsy spots postflop with this move. Still, that's just part of poker.

Suited connectors (45s-TJs)

Now let's take a look at an example with suited connectors.

PartyPoker $100 NL Hold'em (6-handed)

Stacks & Stats
UTG ($100)
MP ($100)
CO ($100)
Hero ($100)
SB ($100)
BB ($100)

Preflop: Hero is BU with 6, 7
UTG raises to $4.00, 1 folds, CO calls $4.00, Hero squeezes?

Suited connectors generally have good playability, you should understand that from the outset. Sitting on the button with two opponents in the hand, there would certainly have to be reasons to bluff this hand with a squeeze/fold.

You could get a great opportunity postflop here to play for a big pot. The EV should be relatively stable.

With a squeeze/fold (squeeze/push (call) isn't considered here) you'll lose this playability. What's more, you won't get any card removal effect, which can once again have negative effects.

However, it also makes sense in these spots to always keep an eye on the upcoming opponents (as is the case in the other spots mentioned above). If these blinds are very aggressive, for example, and themselves squeeze regularly, the option to squeeze yourself will become interesting again and the call will be worse.

If there are lots of calling stations behind you then the call here is almost mandatory.

Suited aces (A2s+)

Suited aces are part drawing hands, but also part hands with high card potential (although often without an effective kicker). That's why they pose a particular threat.

PartyPoker $100 NL Hold'em (6-handed)

Stacks & Stats
UTG ($100)
MP ($100)
CO ($100)
Hero ($100)
SB ($100)
BB ($100)

Preflop: Hero is BU with A, 3
UTG raises to $4.00, 1 folds, CO calls $4.00, Hero squeezes?

There are similar things to be considered here as with suited connectors. However, you're holding an Ax hand here, which gives rise to two major differences:

• If you hit a top pair you could easily end up in a bad spot, as you can't chuck this hand away so easily. So, you'll often find yourself in dominated spots, which will certainly diminish the playability. Your hand can't compete against a suited connector here.
• An ace here would give you card removal effect, as the probability that your opponent gets AA/AK/AQ-combinations reduces dramatically.

If you take heed of both these observations, it becomes clear that, with a hand like this, a call or a squeeze play can be considered.

Squeeze/push (call) is clearly not an option here either.

Equity analysis
	Equity	Win	Split	Loss	Hand
Player 1	31.77%	29.78%	3.98%	66.24%	A, 3
Player 2	68.23%	66.24%	3.98%	29.78%	66+, A9s+, ATo+

In these spots you need to particularly watch opponents, to assess their playability and of course always risk a glance at the blinds and think about what you can still expect from these colleagues.

Broadways (AJ-AT, KQ/KJ/KT/QT)

Finally the broadways, the opposing option to connectors and drawing hands.

PartyPoker $100 NL Hold'em (6-handed)

Stacks & Stats
UTG ($100)
MP ($100)
CO ($100)
Hero ($100)
SB ($100)
BB ($100)

Preflop: Hero is BU with K, J
UTG raises to $4.00, 1 folds, CO calls $4.00, Hero squeezes?

Broadway hands are dangerous hands. Unlike the drawing hands just mentioned, these hands generally have terrible playability postflop. They often hit top pairs, which can be dominated in many cases.

It's often difficult to make an assessment about where you stand with the hand, especially in multi-way pots. That's why you don't definitely want to play this hand.

Nonetheless, these hands have a nice card removal effect. The make a lot of strong combinations from your opponent less likely. So, you shouldn't overestimate them, however you should be aware you can still bluff them.

Turning it into a bluff isn't really bad, as long as you assess their playability as not good enough and are also of the opinion that squeeze/fold has higher EV than a direct fold.

These hands will never be enough to go broke, as you're either behind all PPs or have a flip, however you're also behind against all Ax combinations.

Equity analysis
	Equity	Win	Split	Loss	Hand
Player 1	34.51%	34.16%	0.69%	65.15%	K, J
Player 2	65.5%	65.15%	0.69%	34.16%	66+, A9s+, ATo+

So, you don't need to think too hard about turning a hand like this into a bluff with a squeeze play.

LINKS
Related articles: Squeeze (1) - Thoughts on Squeezing Squeeze (2) - Who do You Want to Squeeze Against? Squeeze (4) - Inducing a Squeeze Discussion forum: Discuss this article