Preflop, Newbie Questions

[Noam Chomsky]

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4-betting 99 can only be for value if you're getting called by worse.

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I disagree. First, where do you draw the line? I don't see a lot of people stacking off for 100bbs with JJ but certainly nobody would argue that four betting QQ from the button would be a bluff. What about JJ? TT? AK?

Also, I think that there is value in your hand that you are preserving preflop but are losing on a large percentage of flops. I think you're underestimating the value of being the three bettor in a three bet pot. I also don't think you're putting any consideration into the enormous ancillary benefits of "taking back your button" by making it difficult for a blind to continuously three bet your opens from the button.

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The only (marginally) worse hand that I can see getting it in with you is AK and a lot of the time when you get it in you're drawing to 2 outs.

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ok, I still think that there are a lot of other ways in which you can benefit from doing this some percentage of the time.

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I honestly think 4-betting with 99 is a leak unless you're up against a maniac and have been 4 betting all sorts of weak junk so he can call you with a lower pair/AQ/AJ/etc.

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I'm certainly not advocating this as a standard line. In situations where you are opening from the button and being three bet from the blinds by someone who is habitually three betting you it is very profitable to have a healthy four betting range imo.


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4-bet/fold is just spew most of the time.

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lots of standard lines for a lot of 'good players' are spew most of the time, this one gets you a nice image and often times gets people to stop three betting you all together without premium hands.