3 Major Exploits Players Should Try in Their Next Session

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Melvin Schroen Pokerlistings Author
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: September 25, 2024

We’ve all been there, playing a round of poker and seeing our poker weaknesses exposed. However, in this article, we’re not going to dwell on the losses. Instead, we’re going to turn them on their heads, creating a guide of how to exploit three major opponent’s mistakes in your next session.

This guide will demonstrate how to adjust to your opponent in scenarios where:

  • Your opponent is not aggressive enough to 3-bet;
  • Your opponent is not aggressive enough to challenge your limpers from the small blind;
  • Your opponent is not aggressive enough to execute three-barrel bluffs.

To succeed, you must capitalize on your opponents’ glaring mistakes and flawed poker strategies. We will explore the most effective strategies for punishing opponents for their incorrect ranges.

1. Fold More Often Against 3-Bets

Many players at low to mid-limits do not maintain a balanced frequency of 3-bets.

For instance, if you initiate with a min-raise from an early position with pocket nines, and an opponent immediately behind you 3-bets to 5.58bb, his range is considerably narrow. Inexperienced players tend to further narrow it. Ideally, they should be 3-betting 5.5% of hands. Some might call with AQo, while others might play A5s and AQo aggressively. Without adequate experience, most players opt to call with ATs, KJs, and QJs rather than 3-betting them.

You could call with nines, all smaller pairs, and strong broadways. Almost all A5s and some A4s should be 4-bet pushed, utilizing the blocker. Many strong broadways fall into the fold category; with A5s, you have the option to either fold or call. A significant strategic shift with single-suited and multi-suited hands is to prefer calling over 4-bet pushing.

If your opponent rarely 3-bets, the clear advice is to fold more frequently, tighten your calling range, and avoid bluffing with A5s and A4s.

However, this strategy requires the ability to play optimally post-flop, which is often a weak point in solver-based setups. To excel, you must thoroughly understand your opponent’s tactics. For example, they might be aggressive post-flop or prefer small counter-bets. In low and medium buy-in MTTs, it’s advisable to fold more often to 3-bets.

2. Enter the Pot From the Small Blind More Often

When action folds to you in the small blind, solvers allow for a wide range of playable hands, though not just any two cards. After limping, the big blind should ideally raise 40-45% of hands, blending strong and weak holdings. Inexperienced players rarely achieve this frequency.

What should you do if your limp is met with a raise, a check, or a call from the big blind? The response depends on the aggressiveness of the big blind’s raises and their range. Against a big blind who doesn’t aggressively punish limpers, nearly the entire range is playable.

3. Fold Bluff-Catchers Against Non-Bluffers

If your opponents seldom bet a third barrel with bluffs, it’s best to fold when they do decide to bet.

Paying close attention and noting the hands your opponents take to showdown provides valuable information for making informed decisions against players who deviate from optimal strategy. A practical tip is to fold bluff-catchers against opponents who rarely bluff.

Possible Countermeasures

While we did say we’d talk about just three point, you’ll also need to know that changing your strategy suddenly makes you vulnerable, as opponents may adjust their play in response.

For instance, if they notice you folding bluff-catchers on the river’s third barrel, expect them to bluff more frequently. Understanding these dynamics is crucial.

Final Thoughts

Without knowledge of the equilibrium strategy in a given situation and an inability to recognize your opponent’s mistakes, mere observation won’t suffice. Deep theoretical understanding and recognition of opponents’ errors are essential for developing effective gameplay tactics.

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