Quote:
Originally Posted by 4-Star General
I have a question regarding building polarized ranges. I'm follow the Grinder's Manual method, so I select my 3bet value range, my calling range and only after that the bluff combos. I have doubts regarding some value hands that are ahead when called but probably marginal when they face a 4bet. So let's say we are on the BB vs a BTN open, we can 3bet/shove QQ,AK+ pretty confortably, but our value 3bet range is obv wider than that. Let's say we value 3bet TT+,AQ+. Now we calculate the value:bluff ratio we want to have and add bluffs to our range. My question is, when we 4bet AQ and fold to a 4bet, do our range become unbalanced?
I haven't read the book, but the terms "value bet" and "bluff" aren't particularly useful pre-flop imo, because so much of your EV comes from protection and/or fold equity due to blockers.
Something like KQs or AQ can 3-bet pre-flop and can get called by worse, but can also get 4-bet by better hands (or worse). To that extent, it's fine to 3b/fold some hands that can get called by worse but that don't do well vs a 4-betting range. As long as you have
some solid hands to flat the initial raise, and you have enough hands to 5-bet profitably, your range won't be open to exploitation and your flatting range won't be too capped.
e.g. in BB vs BTN (where I think a 3-betting range should be more linear than polar), you might sometimes 3-bet AQ/AJ/ATs/A6s and sometimes call. Same thing with KJs, KQo, KJo, QTs, 99, 88 etc.
When building your BB defending range, make sure you've got some "decent" aces, kings and queens in all three of your ranges (3b/stack off, 3b/fold, and flat call) so that you've got board coverage in all situations.
When you're in position, your 3-betting range should be much more polarized, because villains won't flat anywhere near as often as they do in BTNvBB. You want to make your range much more clearly divided into stack offs and 3b/folds. e.g. OTB vs MP, 3b/stack AK, 3b/fold A5s (an obvious bluff), but just call AQo (profitable as a call, and too good to turn into a bluff that folds to a 4-bet).
Last edited by ArtyMcFly; 05-31-2017 at 01:39 PM.