3bet pot ; SB vs BU ; Cbet spot with lower pocket pair
Hi! I'm confused about this kind of spot. No relevant information about opponent.
[converted_hand][hand_history]PokerStars - $0.25 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by Holdem Manager 3
Hero (SB): $25.00 (100 bb)
BB: $28.98 (115.9 bb)
UTG: $29.48 (117.9 bb)
CO: $25.00 (100 bb)
BTN: $29.27 (117.1 bb)
Hero posts SB $0.10, BB posts $0.25
Pre Flop: (pot: $0.35) Hero has 7♥ 7♣
2 folds, BTN raises to $0.62, Hero raises to $2.75, fold, BTN calls $2.13
Flop: ($5.75, 2 players) A♣ 9♥ 5♣
Hero bets $1.81
[/hand_history][/converted_hand]
Here is a solution from GTO+ (1). I see that 77 with a club may bet, but I don't know why. Not value betting (2). If it's bluffing, I see that it doesn't 2-barrel very much (3), compared to hands like QhJh (4). And it doesn't seem like it has that much to do with equity denial (7h7c (5) vs QhJh (6)).
So my question is : what factor(s) make lower pocket pairs viable c-bets? I'm asking because that's a frequent spot, on all kinds of flops, where solver is betting at some frequency. And even though here it doesn't weigh much in the range (7), sometimes it weighs closer to 20%-25%, and so I'd like to make up my mind about it.
Thank you!
Annexes
1. Solution
Spoiler
2. 7h7c vs opponent calling range
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3. 7h7c turn barrel
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4. QhJh turn barrel
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5. 7h7c vs opponent folding range
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6. QhJh vs opponent folding range
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7. Hero range composition flop
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2 Replies
As the 3-bettor, you have a range advantage on this flop because your range includes many strong Ax hands, which are not as prevalent in the BTN’s calling range.
Betting with 77 helps to represent the strong Ax hands you could have, allowing you to apply pressure to your opponent.
Betting with low pocket pairs helps to deny equity to overcards that could improve on the turn or river.
By betting, you can often get hands like QJ, JT, or even weaker broadways to fold, which is good for your hand.
77 with a club may have slightly more playability because it can backdoor into a flush, but even without the club, betting can be viable.
Solvers might show a mixed strategy. This mix helps balance your overall strategy, making you less predictable.
As the 3-bettor, you have a range advantage on this flop because your range includes many strong Ax hands, which are not as prevalent in the BTN’s calling range.
Betting with 77 helps to represent the strong Ax hands you could have, allowing you to apply pressure to your opponent.
Betting with low pocket pairs helps to deny equity to overcards that could improve on the turn or river.
By betting, you can often get hands like QJ, JT, or even weaker broadways to fold, which is good for your hand.
77
Thank you for your response! Makes sense! 😀
