Ivey

Frankly I think people worry too much about balance in these types of spots and just in general. Again this was on a zoom table so people are not paying close enough attention to the types of boards you're cbetting/not cbetting, so balance doesn't really matter. Especially at 25nl. Maybe 200nl+ we should start worrying about balancing our range. We're definitely not getting 3 streets here from his calling range other than ace high floats that will probably stab turn/river anyways. So I think it's fine to check back. Also if our hand looks like we have some showdown value, why not check it back and induce some bluffs by deceiving him in to thinking that he can barrel us off of our hand?

Damian I agree with you that when we're called, we're not in the greatest shape. The thing is that the steal only has to work 57% of the time to make this a break even steal. If we're raising to 2bbs, then both blinds have to fold on average 2bb/(2bb+1.5bb)=0.57=57% or more to make this profitable. That also means that the blinds can play 43% of their hands each, and we'll still show an immediate profit. I expect to bluff them a certain %age postflop as well, so overall the open is pretty standard. This hand was also played on a speed/zoom table where ppl tend to be a bit more fold happy (at least at these levels) and thus I open with a very wide range on the btn (at least 50%). If the sb/bb is lag or 3bets a bunch then I agree that I would probably open this hand less often to those specific opponents.