Lecture Notes: Handling Three-Bet Misses Before the Flop

Introduction

• Discussion focus: Handling situations when you three-bet before the flop, get called, and completely miss the flop.
• This scenario often confuses players due to the need to play with your entire range.
• Key considerations include stack depth and range advantage.

Concepts

Stack Depth

• Stack depth is critical:
  • At 25 big blinds, there’s little money left to bet.
  • At 500 big blinds, significant money can still be played for.
  • Focus of this lecture: 60 big blinds, applicable to scenarios between 40 and 100 big blinds.

Range Advantage

• Defined as having higher equity with your pre-flop range compared to your opponent’s range.
• Identifying range advantage is crucial for deciding when to be aggressive.
• Nut Advantage: When having more hands that are effectively the nuts, usually leads to betting larger.

Scenarios to Consider

Four Main Situations

1. In position with range advantage.
2. In position without range advantage.
3. Out of position with range advantage.
4. Out of position without range advantage.

In-Position Play

With Range Advantage

• Betting frequently unless the flop is extremely unfavorable.
• Use larger bets on boards where you have significant nut advantage or vulnerable strong hands.

Without Range Advantage

• Bet polarized: best hands and draws.
• Check back medium strength hands.

Out-of-Position Play

With Range Advantage

• Bet more frequently on uncoordinated flops.
• Use larger bets with nut advantage and vulnerable strong hands.
• Mix in draws for balance.

Without Range Advantage

• Checking more often on connected middle & high card flops.
• Use larger bets with polarized range when betting.

Handling Check Raises

• In-Position: Fold unless holding a strong hand or draw.
• Out-of-Position: Check-raise polarized, including best hands and draws.
• Continuation Betting: Adjust based on opponent’s tendencies.

Flop Scenarios and Strategies

• Ace-high and King-high Boards: Often favor betting small with a wide range.
• Paired and Low Card Boards: Bet larger with vulnerable pairs; cautious on dynamic boards.
• Dynamic and Connected Boards: Increased checking and larger bets with polarized range.

Key Takeaways

• Implementing strategic adjustments based on position and range advantage is crucial.
• Protect checking ranges by including strong hands occasionally.
• Develop familiarity with flop textures and opponent tendencies to optimize strategies.

Conclusion

• Poker strategies involve understanding range dynamics and adjusting betting strategies accordingly.
• Further resources available at pokercoaching.com, including detailed courses and masterclasses.

Additional Resources

• Check out the new book "100 Essential Tips to Master No Limit Hold'em" for deeper insights.

These notes provide a condensed view of the lecture, focusing on the strategic approach to playing poker when missing the flop after a three-bet. They aim to aid understanding and serve as a reference for poker strategy improvement.