Mersenneary Video 6 - Advanced End Game Play - The Small Blind (Part 3)

12bb Sample Case (Cont.)

• Openshove
• Example Range (12.2%): 66-22,A7s-A2s,J8s+,T7s+,97s+,87s,A7o-A2o

• In this range:
1. Hands that get value out of worse, play poorly post-flop, and fail at inducing worse hands when min-raising instead.
2. Stealing hands that freeroll off of the fact that hands like A3 and K2s still don't have the equity to call if they are included in the range, while still providing decent equity against better hands that do call.
• Sample openshove balance properties
• This range exploits a few population tendencies: To call too light, or too tight, or both (!), assuming certain hands are in your range when they're not.
• A3 = 44.7%, QJ = 48.7%, K8s = 47.5%, 22 = 46.2%, K2s = 40.5%, JTs = 52.2% (45.8% = breakeven)
• Doing computations similar to the above is very important. It improves intuitive understanding of the game. I need to play around with different ranges and run some calculations as that is a part of my game that is sorely lacking right now. 
• If openshove or fold are our only two options, you can't exploit a NASH calling range. If you can min-raise as well, it's up to your opponent to try to react to your openshoving range optimally. I haven't played many people who have. 
• This is very true. Having more options in your arsenal can only benefit you. When you have a raise, openshove, fold and limp range, it is up to your opponent to figure out those ranges and by the time he has, you can easily adjust and use a new strategy.
• Exploitation as Practical Poker
• NASH assumes villain knows your ranges and is prepared to play perfectly against it. In real poker, it can be very difficult to figure out what they are and how to adjust accordingly, even at the highest levels. One high stakes player wrote this about Iftari:
• "Most good players will advocate playing with balance: Playing made hands and bluffs the same way. Iftari rarely does this. He 3-bets different  sizes pre-flop; he will bet 1/4th pot, 1/2 pot, 1/8th pot, min, overbet all-in. A lot of people would say hes exploitable but look up his win-rate on Sharkscope. There's a method to his madness: He plays exploitable because no one is able to figure out what he's doing"           -heybuds
• Just like what I said about having all the options available to your pre-flop game, the same applies for post-flop. Being able to use various bet-sizes effectively is ultimately my goal but to do so effectively is form of art. It'll take a lot of trial and error to get it right.
• Openshove: Adaptive Exploitation
• What do we do if...
• Villain is calling tighter?
• Cheat! Start openshoving even more junky suited/connected hands.
• I don't really openshove much at 12bbs but I will definitely try it out and see how people adjust. 
• Villain is calling wider?
• Start openshoving KQ/KJ, A8+ for value, tone down your air range. Be a moving target.
• Limping
• Extremely player dependent.
• Figure out how opponent responds to limps and limped pots early on in game.
• Limping is more valuable as part of a balanced strategy at 18-25bbs when you can more comfortably limp/call a 3x BB raise with playable hands.
• Limping: Adaptive Exploitation
• What do we do if...
• Villain is tight/passive?
• Limp/steal a ton.
• Villain is aggressive in limped pots?
• Limp a few premiums when appropriate.
• Although openshoving can become a effective part of my arsenal, I think that min-raising until I run into resistance is more profitable. Most players are my level are too passive. They do not 3-bet enough for me to be concerned and also play poorly post-flop. I am very excited to try using an openshoving range against more aggressive 3-bettors. It is a good way to counter their aggression and confuse them.