KQ in SB against raise from button

[Lunkan]

Not feeling comfortable in my preflop decisions yet. SSHE suggests to fold this but since the raise comes from the button I'm a little unsure.

Party Poker 1/2 Hold'em (10 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: 2+2 Forums)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">7 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Button raises</font>

[Fantam]

You need to try to get a read on your opponents, particularly your opponents which are seated nearest to you.

That should help you, when deciding whether to defend your blinds against their possible steals, or whether to try to steal yourself.

If you thought that the button was open raising from late position to steal the blinds too often, then 3-betting to fold the big blind and play the hand heads up would probably be best.

However, if I was uncertain how loose the button was, I might just call the raise from the SB.

Anyway, good observation of your opponents should help in blind defence or steal situations, which is a difficult skill to develop well.

[Str8Fish]

3-bet this.

[Lunkan]

I think my opponent had just sat down so I had no data on him. What is my standard play in those cases then?

[Mustafa]

Standard steal attempt. It doesn't mean anything. At least half the ace high hands would raise as would most broadways that you beat. You could very easily be dominating, as opposed to vice versa.

Definitely at least see the flop (I would 3-bet), and play the hand from there.

[Smurph64]

*grunch*

Book play is right if you have no read on the button. I on the other hand do the wrong thing and call with that so I don't get run over in the future.

Perfect hand to learn how to build a blind defense if you are ready for it.

[kerowo]

Is there a reason you skipped .5/1 when you started? If you have the BR for learning at 1/2 that's great, but if you are still unsure about starting hands maybe you want to learn at a cheaper table?

If you don't know how to defend your blinds here and don't know what this guy is stealing with a fold is fine. The two basic blind defense lines are call the pfr and c/r the flop, or 3-bet pre-flop and lead any flop. Here I would lean toward 3-betting pre-flop to get rid of the BB.

[Lunkan]

Yeah I have the bankroll for 1/2. I'm not new to poker and have been winning in other forms (tournaments, SnG) for over a year.

I actually followed the book's advice and folded. Thanks for the replies.

[Fishlips_Jones]

Reraise. If BB folds and button calls, bet the flop, doesn't matter what it is.

[Bilgefisher]

*grunch* depending on your read here.
I would 3 bet it if you feel he's trying to steal the blinds. Even if you come out behind in this situation, you may make him think twice about stealing your blinds.