So I am trying to focus on improving my exploitative play. I comprehend entirely that in order to exploit others faults one has first to have a good understanding of what is standard/correct play. This is something that I have been working on for a while now through an online training site that builds it's strategy on and around GTO. And, whilst I would not profess to have yet a solid understanding of correct even close-to-GTO play in most spots, I am learning and it is a work in progress (as it will always be I guess if I continue to play poker).

However, something which I would now like to focus on also is learning how to 1) exploit the players that make errors that I spot (be it through information gathered through use of a HUD or just observation of play), (2)what shorthand notes to take when they make said mistakes, and (3) what adjustments to make in accordance.

I thought that perhaps I could start a thread, that others with a similar interest could also post hands on, with the aim of allowing all of us learners to increase our exploitative arsenal. Anyway, just an idea. I won't be offended if it doesn't take off, as I will just continue to post hands individually, as I have been, and will appreciate, as always, all advice given

Let me start with this following hand. We see Villain bet the flop with the NFD and bottom pair. I think that arguments can be made for check or bet on the flop, but in either case, it's not a bad play I would say.

On the turn, despite having position, villain decides to check behind and effectively giving up unless he hits an ace, 3 or club, one would presume (though maybe he would bet a scare card on the river?)

Do you think that Villain, having bet the flop with the NFD, should continue on the turn? or take a stab on the river?

Could Villain's line be seen as a weakness in strategy, in that he plays draws too passively, taking one stab and giving up when he doesn't hit? and if so what sort of note would you take and what adjustment might you consider?

PokerStars - $0.05 NL - Holdem - 7 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG+1: 56 BB
MP: 108.8 BB
CO: 99.6 BB
BTN: 114 BB
SB: 68 BB
Hero (BB): 96.6 BB
UTG: 103.8 BB

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has 9 9

fold, fold, fold, fold, BTN raises to 3 BB, fold, Hero calls 2 BB

Flop: (6.4 BB, 2 players) J 7 3
Hero checks, BTN bets 4 BB, Hero calls 4 BB

Turn: (14.4 BB, 2 players) 4
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: (14.4 BB, 2 players) 2
Hero checks, BTN checks

He checks turn because he can win showdown but isn’t quite strong enough to value bet.

So...You are happy with his play, nothing to take note of, no exploitable tendencies, next hand?

Yes

Never everr ever assume tendencies or frequencies based on a single hand. You need a large sample before making any kind of stylistic assumptions.

Putting in a bet on the river would be some really thin value and you're getting called by better more often than you're being called by worse. It's a -EV play almost every time.

You won 14.4BBs with a middle pair on a J high flop. Sounds like a high-five to yourself is in order. No need to try to get fancier.

Many Vs on the turn would have barreled again, hoping to get a weak jack or a hand like yours to fold, but he has so much equity that it would be a big risk to get check-raised and pushed off his equity, so I think, in general, that he made the right play.

Considering he had AcXc he has to assume you're less likely to be on a club draw after the flop. Excluding club draws from your flatting range, and any flush-pair combo draws since he has the 3c himself, he has to assume your flatting range is unlikely to fold to any bets on the river. If he was going to bet, it had to be on the turn.