I know donking is a big no no for most 2+2 small stakers. But I think it sometimes has its merits and this seams like a good spot, imo. Curios to why you think it's not


SB is a losse passive fish and his calling range is huge.
BTN is a tag, a bit nitty, playing more tables than he should. He should know SB tendencies and that he's likely to at least call if he himself calls. That leads me to think that he will fold about half of his Ahi cards and a large portion of his range. I would anyway.
So that's my main reason for donking, getting him to fold. I also think he wont pay much attention to the hand if he folds so balancing isn't a concern.
If I get raised it's not a big deal, and I can consider three betting.
If BTN folds and I get HU with SB I'll CB turn always and the river if I improve.

I talked about the hand with a friend who plays higher 5-T, 20-40, he said he would consider 3b PF. Is that really a good play?
His reasoning was that it gives him a lot of respect, but I'm not sure it's worth it.


Grabbed by Holdem Manager
Limit Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
SB ($33.80)
Hero ($179)
UTG ($71.70)
CO ($139)
BTN ($187)

Dealt to Hero 9 J

fold, fold, BTN raises to $4, SB calls $3, Hero calls $2

FLOP ($12) 2 K 7

SB checks, Hero bets $2,

c/r and lead the turn.

A multi-tabling tag is not folding to your donk bet.

regarding preflop 3bet

oink talks about it in one of his vidz. SB has a marginal range and BTN has a wide range. with a 3Bet you create fold equity against the bottom part of BTN's range. as for SB, you'll have position on him for the rest of the hand.

I would fold a lot to "my" donk bet with a loose player after me.
A 50% range has nothing ~34% here and A hi or worse ~60%.

If he he bets and SB folds this is a typical CR bluff spot, that I will frequently atack with air, and he will imo be more enticed to call down with Ahi.

Thx.
In this case SB range is also wide though, but that might not change much.
Do you know what hands he likes to 3b for creating fold equity?

BTN is cbetting 100%, so if there is value in the donk there is more value in the check raise, so just do the check raise and lead. That's what you do with your showdown value hands, right?

I dont often see people donking with the nuts (people who donk also like to play their big hands slowly - when did you last see a donk that was a set?), so if anything the donk looks weaker than the check raise (top of the range of the normal donker there is like a weak king?).

If it was HU, I wouldn't donk. If the flop was less dry I wouldn't donk.
And yes missing the mandatory CB from BTN isn't great but that bet ties more players to the pot.

I know my hand doesn't look strong, but his range has so much air and since there is a loose player left to act he won't do much about it.
If he raises with AQ or 88 he might get SB to fold a hand like JT, A9 or other hands that dominate my hand.
If he raises with a QQ+, well, then I've payed two bets with on the flop with a FD. Instead of many times 3 when I CR and he 3B.

I feel you are very rarely getting 3bet.

If you donk a K then donk away with the flushdraw. If not then c/r like you would with Any made hand so you get Qhi and JT to fold.