Hi all - so I'm trying to figure out what is best for determining what hands to call 3b. I have read Janda's ANLHE. Pg 35 there is an example where there is action as follows:

SB opens to 3.5 bb
BB 3b to 10 bb

Janda says you have to defend at least 33.33% of the time. This min defense frequency is based on the bet sizing. He says if the 3b is to 12 bb, must defend 29.4% (slightly less...makes sense).

What I don't understand is how to reconcile this to a common scenario in HUNL. Let's say you

Open 3.5 BB from BU 82% (1086 combos)
22+,A2s+,K2s+,Q2s+,J2s+,T2s+,92s+,82s+,72s+,62s+,5 2s+,42s+,32s,A2o+,K2o+,Q2o+,J2o+,T5o+,95o+,85o+,75 o+,65o,54o

and get 3b to 10 BB, you should then defend 33.33% or about 358 combos so lets say the following range (27% overall)
22+,A2s+,K7s+,Q7s+,J7s+,T7s+,97s+,86s+,75s+,65s,54 s,A9o+,KTo+,QTo+,JTo

Now lets say the 3b range is only 5% or (TT+,AJs+,AQo+).

Your equity vs. that range is only 34%.

Why don't you change your 3b calling range based on the range you're getting 3b? So defend some slightly narrower range than the range your facing or only hands with some minimum equity level (ie: call with hands that have at least 40% equity).

Is this difference an exploitative vs. GTO thing? Janda must be assuming playing against other players trying to play optimal (so will be 3b a higher frequency and polarized)?

If so, when playing exploitatively what minimum equity of our hand vs. range would we want In Position?

If your opponent is only 3b top 5% then count your lucky stars and let him do that and just fold.

The theory you are working with is based upon intelligent HU play whereas you can arguably assume that K8o is likely the best hand most of the time and worth a 3b.

If that is indeed the case you'll know it once they start doing it frequently as it is unlikely to get top 5% hands more than 5% of the time over a long period.

In that situation it does make sense to begin defending because as said - even if you are behind, it's unlikely you are dominated so you're looking at 60/40ish split, in which case it pays to be dog to keep him honest and not let him railroad you. Besides, it's often correct to make that 60/40 call and see a flop HU (due to dead money already in pot) barring it doesn't remove any flexibility with the chip stack - in which case you fold or 4bet ship it and put the screws back on him.

I'm sure a more experienced player can add something more, even refute what I stated. Just my two cents. Just sayin Q9 holds up to K8 surprisingly well.

Your 33% defending range is going to consist of 4b value hands, 4b bluff hands and hands you call with. So it will be a balanced mix of hands that you can effectively play in position.

Villains 3b range will consist of value hands and bluff hands so his overall equity is not as strong as you think.

Yeah that's it in a nutshell. An actual GTO defend range is a lot more than 33% since your opponent sometimes hits his hand on the flop or later streets. The minimum defense frequency is merely what you need to beat a strategy where your opponent 3bets 100% and then just check-folds every flop.

And in actual poker vs typical opposition, players 3bet a lot less than they should, but also cbet flops and turns more often than they should. So when you're up against a tight range against an opponent who is likely to throw out multiple barrels you really need a hand that can nail flop.

So its a bit crazy, but we come to the realization where minimum defense frequency is ~33%, actual GTO defense frequency is ~70-80%, but what we should actually use is probably as low as 15% (at least initially until our opponent catches on or we discover that he's tough).