Poker Question From Gnome 123

[David Sklansky]

"David,

Do you have an opinion on NEVER 3-betting from the big blind preflop in a heads-up pot (limit holdem only)? "

First notice that questions like these are the type I am looking for. Short sweet and of widespread interest. And they can be of widespread interest even if the specific game mentioned is not often played. Because of the general principle involved.

Undoubtedly this question was assuming very big stacks. Otherwise the answer is clearly that a preflop reraise is sometimes the right play. But with big stacks, the argument can be made that any immediate gain from your raise is more than offset by your giving away your hand out of position in a pot limit game. That is a tremendous disadvantage. In fact you can prove that if you have two aces you will lose money to a random hand if you reraise and turn your hand over.

But you are not turning your hand over. Which makes me 95%sure that if you play well, and especially if the other guy doesn't, you can add to your EV by sometimes reraising. Usually with great hands but not always. My 5% uncertainty arises from the fact that this reraise not only helps him define your hand but also makes profitable check raises down the road unlikely.

The truth of the matter is that with very big stacks, the strategy of not reraisng preflop can never be that bad.

[mak15]

David,

I'm pretty sure he meant in limit hold em and that you thought he meant pot-limit. As a result am I correct to assume you are 100% sure that never reraising from the blinds is a bad idea?

[Gnome123]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm pretty sure he meant in limit hold em and that you thought he meant pot-limit. As a result am I correct to assume you are 100% sure that never reraising from the blinds is a bad idea?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, I meant limit-holdem but the thoughts on pot-limit are certainly appreciated as well.

I also should have specified that, by "NEVER", I meant as an overall strategy. Of course, you can construct a situation where not 3-betting HU is a clear mistake (i.e. vs. a maniac who will cap every street regardless of his hand).

[David Sklansky]

It's a bad idea in a head up game or if the player is in late position. Because three betting doesn't narrow your hand that much, nor does it reduce by much your chances to get in a check raise.