adjustments vs preflop sizing
What is the thought process when dealing with different open sizes, especially unusual ones. I assume it would change what you 3bet/ call with but im unsure how you would calculate this in-game or in which direction to deviate.
For example if you are BB vs BTN and BTN opens 5bb, but you don't know if their range is different than GTO (2 to 3bb) open. Assuming no other reads like in a zoom pool.
I would think to reduce calling range and increase 3bet range while also increasing 3bet size. But to which exact extent both for size and range change, I am not sure.
Any thoughts and also how players think about these situation would be helpful thanks.
3 Replies
Your assumption is correct. That is to say given a static RFI range where the only variable changes is that of the RFI size then as the RFI size increases:
1. BB overall defense decreases (calling + 3-betting)
2. The amount of 3-betting will generally increase with respect to calling/raising
5bb opens are very uncommon and generally anyone doing so would be a big whale/fish, therefore most of your deviation for calling or 3-betting is more likely to align with a much more exploitative mindset rather than an equilibrium one. As for the thought process for dealing with different open sizes you should more or less focus on the sizings most utilized in the pool you are playing in. I would recommend focusing on 2.0bb, 2.5bb, and 3.0bb as they are typically the most common.
These aren't perfect sims, but here are BB response vs. BTN open for the following RFI sizings: 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, 3.0
Thanks. It's interesting that in live 4 to 5bb is quite a normal open size even from good players because it exploits certain tendencies like overcalling.
I also wonder about how much very good/pro players memorize charts or do they just have a few charts in mind and then adjust based on various factors. Looking at the charts I can see that most of it expands/reduces in an ordered way but there are some hands like QJs which don't seem to follow that so it would be difficult to try and adjust in this way.
Mostly just memorize a few charts and adjust from there.
