three betting at the micro stakes

[HotPockets]

Okay, I wasn't sure if this should have gone in micro or maybe poker theory so I decided to post it here.

I'm a relatively new player toiling away at the micro stakes, and trying to grasp certain concepts. One thing I can't seem to grasp is the idea of 3 betting.

Aside from the monster hands, what are generally good situations to 3 bet light into? What cards do you look for to 3bet with? I will generally 3 bet any pocket pair from the blind if the button opens. Also, once in a while I'll 3 bet with suited connectors or one-gappers to isolate a raiser when i'm in position. Are either of these plays profitable at the micros? What about in general, or are they a leak I need to work on?

[Cabe]

Hi HotPockets

Since most players at the micro stakes tend to be very poor post-flop players, 3 betting lightly probably has less value than you give it credit for. In my experience, it is often easier to extract maximum value AFTER the flop with often 3-betting hands because my opponents either call down too thin or fire 2nd/3rd barrels into resistance. Thus, your desire to take down the pot preflop with marginal albeit good hands (KQ, 77, QJs etc) may actually be more profitable if you wait postflop in some instances, at least at the micro stakes.

However, if you are at tables with very loose openers, especially poor players who feel they must open very liberally when folded to on the button, 3 betting with pocket pairs, high aces and suited connectors can be profitable plays. Since you'll be playing these hands out of position, you ideally want to 3 bet hands that flop something with showdown value (like top pair), or hands that flop big draws. Still I would caution against 3 betting lightly at lower limits without a good understanding of position and relative hand strength, because if you continue to 3 bet semi strong hands (KJ, QJ, 66 etc) you need to be comfortable playing them on textured flops.

Many blunders I see at the micro limits come from light 3 bettors who continue to fire into strength and stack off lightly, or get caught making big bluffs. Vs a 35/25 button raiser 3betting with 76s can be a good play used sparingly, but if you continue to fire and see resistance, you need to learn to back off.

Hope any of this helps,
Cabe

[john voight]

dude, it sounds like you are 3betting way too much.
This isnt nl400 where ppl understand what you are doing.

This is nl2, where ppl ignore what your bets signal. I would say 3 betting low PPs and suited connectors and gappers is spewing. Your not getting the preflop fold equity, you dont have the implied odds (b/c usually stacks are under 100bb) and your gunna be facing lots of tough decisions post flop.

I made a recent video playing micros, where I discuss my ideas:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W5O7FETA