Hello all, I’ve returned to poker
after a decent break and decided I should seriously work on my game. Logically
(?), I’ve decided to begin by examining my preflop ranges. I’m having a
difficult time making the theoretical side agreeable with the practical side of
my game. For example, currently I open fairly tight from UTG: 55+, ATs+,
A5s-A2s, KTs+, QTs+, JTs, T9s, 98s, 87s, 76s, AJo+, KQo. Even with this range,
I’m having a hard time constructing a defending range versus 3bets that meets
the minimum defense frequency. Even something like: 99+, AQs+, KQs, AKo feels a
bit thin to me. This becomes even more problematic from UTG+1. Since I am
opening wider, but am having problems finding enough extra combos to defend.
Another thing I am having difficulty with is differentiating the EV difference
between certain hands. For example, would it be better to shift to lower SCs in
my UTG range to achieve better board coverage at the expense of high card
value? Things get even tougher when CO. Let’s assume a range: 22+, A2s+, K8s+,
Q9s+, J9s+, T8s+, 97s+, 87s, 76s, 65s, 54s, A9o+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo, T9o, 98o.
Are K9o, Q9o, and J9o better opens than T9o and 98o? What about some worse
offsuit aces? What about this in relation to Q8s, J8s, K7s, etc? I haven’t
really gotten into the other 3 positions, since these problems already
presented themselves and things will only get more complicated. If anyone would
like to work on these aspects of their games or just try to improve in general,
feel free to shoot me a pm or add me on skype (homerunhitter77). Hopefully this
will generate some good discussion!