Quote:
Originally Posted by ZuneIt
Isn't this strictly player dependent. Both the V & H tendencies having to be considered? IMO, I don't see this being +Ev, other than when there's a 7 handed table full of tough/tight grinders.
Tough = Aggressive & aware
Tight = Opening range equivalent to Janda's recommendations in AONLH.
Yes and no.
3 betting A5 suited is a bluff. So sure, against opponents you can't bluff as profitably, it makes less sense. It also makes less sense if they are not regular opponents (because then you care less about balance)
But there is a reason Miller likes this hand specifically to bluff. It is because, as a 3 bet bluff, it is more likely to work than a lot of other hands.
And that comes down to how it hits flops and how it relates to hands which would open in early position, and would call or raise 3 bets.
Namely, it blocks hands that would 4 bet (which you don't want to see while bluffing), blocks ace combos in the calling range (letting you play when an ace hits the flop and further blocks them).
And from there, not only can it pick up a lot of outs through draws, but the outs it picks up are not blocked at all by a typical EP open raise/ call 3 bet range.
So your initial bluff works as often as any 3 bet "bluff" without a premium hand will.
And when it doesn't, you have the best situation possible for getting flops and turns where you can continue to bluff. As Miller explained in the quoted example upthread, the plan pre flop and post is to win without showdown. But all the draws you can hit reduce how often the bluffs have to work to profit.
So "why A5?" is easily answered when comparing to other possible 3 bet bluffs. Generally they either don't block as many 4 betting hands, or their outs are far more likely to be blocked by the villain's 3 bet calling range.