Hello guys

Tonight I've been playing a 3.5$ HU Sitngo in NL 5 Card Draw. My opponent was playing a mixed strategy between limping and 2x raising the button.

1) When he limped, he was much easier to play. I could realize my equity with TJ8Q2. (Sidenote: When is it correct to try to make the "gutter" and not discard "5"? I assume that with a J9872 we should discard "4"?) Also, I 3x/4x raised his limp quite a few times with mostly value hands and he did only 4b twice (bc of his capped limping range).

2) When he minraised, I realized how weak I was HU. I defended 22-QQ, AK, draws. I 3b KK+/2pair+/air that would otherwise have folded. I pat bluffed once in 100 hands bc he was drawing 2, indicating a hand like TTK (confirmed at SD sometimes)
->is this reasonable?

3) I found out, that 3x the BTN worked out best vs villain, as he was forced to fold quite a few hands and his drawing 1/2/3 was quite transparent. I do think that drawing "1" to a 3x raise could be a mistake (signalling a draw most of the time while not getting proper odds!).

->If my opponent were to 3x the BTN with a too high frequency and not folding any hand, I'd start 3b more (+draws/+QQ/+air). I would not increase the pat-bluff frequency unless opponent clearly has no clue about the frequency of pat -hands. Sizing wise I'd go 8x~~, reasonable?

Final question: If 2 strong regs play each other HU, which strategy do they apply preflop and why? Would it make sense to have a mixed strategy with 2x and 3x raises?
Unfortunately I have missed the 2k$ SCOOP recap so I couldn't watch HU play anymore...

well, IMHO:
- drawing to a gutter is rarely a profitable so you should do it only when opted to check on BB, if you got those 4 straighty cards at least of an average strenght you can always hit a decent pair that will often beat your opponent's unimproved limped pair
- discarding 5 is something I almost never do (you usually have at least a TEN in your hand to keep)
- if he limp/reraise you need to consider if he can do it for bluff too
- also regs almost never limp in HU
- defending draws is IMHO never an optimal line
- pat bluffing: why not? as far as you make it in proper frequency
- 3x the BTN: the same as above, if you'll do that to often your opponent's gonna start responding with 3bets
- regs usually minraise in HU but because the are regs they will be adjusting their game to a specific opponent and a specific play

hope you like my answers

Hey, thanks for your reply, definitely worth some things discussing.

- drawing to a gutter is rarely a profitable so you should do it only when opted to check on BB.

->What is the alternative you're suggesting in that spot? are we drawing 4 with QJT82 keeping the Q? I don't think folding is good here right?
->What about AKJT, do we 3b and draw "1", representing 2pair with 10 outs to a decent hand and some opportunity to bluff?

- defending draws is IMHO never an optimal line

->What is the alternative line? I'm also 3betting AT956cccc with the ace being one of my good outs. What if I get dealt 67892r?

1. being on BB and facing a raise - I simply fold, when opted to check I usually keep 2 face dards

2. defending means just call; if I'm facing a raise I 3bet all flush draws and openenders

It all depends on how often does my opponent limp, raise, 3bet, how he responds to 3bets etc.

Seems fair enough
Regarding drawing choices - I'm not quite sure what hands to keep HU as some opponents choose otherwise.

ATT (I keep the ace, but would draw when having KTT) - is that standard?
AKTsss/AKQsss (Should I keep AK, or all 3?)

If I am in a 6max game and it goes 4way, I'm keeping AKTsss and TT*** and hope for trips/miracle - that is correct I guess? ATT loses its value when being up vs 3 opponents as we can't be sooo comfortable with AATT postdraw.

I almost never keep any kicker, always trying to get trips as you said never be too comfortable with AAXXy

Haven't played 5CD in a long time, but hand one I'm raising and drawing 1 to QJT8x at least some of the time (if limped to), especially with a passive opponent.