Lesson 33 [Intermediate] Blind Defense

Blinds are a disadvantageous position, but since you've already put money in, folding too much is a loss. Minimize your losses with the correct defense strategy.

Basic Strategy

Since the big blind has already invested 1BB, defend with a wide range when the pot odds are good.

Basic Premise: 100BB cash game, 6-max, responding to raises from late position

There are three key aspects to blind defense:

• Pot Odds Calculation: The big blind has already invested 1BB, so the cost to call is relatively cheap.
• Range Defense: If you fold too much, opponents will constantly attempt to steal.
• 3-bet vs. Call Balance: 3-bet strong hands, call with hands that have good playability.

There are three reasons why blind defense is important:

• You've already put money in, so the pot odds are favorable (e.g., 2.5BB raise, 1.5BB call = 3.5:1.5 = 2.3:1).
• If you fold too tightly, late position players will constantly steal.
• In multiway pots, implied odds are higher, so even weaker hands can be profitable.

Practical Application

1. When the BTN raises (Widest Range)

Widen your defense range (40-50% call/3-bet). The BTN steals with the widest range, so you must defend aggressively.

2. When an Early Position player raises

Narrow your defense range (20-25% call/3-bet). Early position players raise with strong hands, so respond cautiously.

3. When a Multiway Pot is Expected

Increase the calling frequency for suited connectors and small pairs. Implied odds increase, making hands with straight and set potential more favorable.

4. When Opponents Frequently Attempt to Steal

Increase 3-bet frequency (add bluff 3-bets). Since opponents steal with a wide range, applying pressure with a 3-bet will often cause them to fold.

Thought Framework

When deciding on blind defense, it's good to approach it with this framework:

1. What position raised? (BTN vs CO vs MP vs EP)
2. What is the raise size? (2.5BB vs 3BB vs 4BB)
3. Is my hand a call vs. 3-bet vs. fold?
4. Is a multiway pot likely? (Are there callers before me?)
5. What is the opponent's steal frequency? (Frequent vs. Occasional)

Example Hand Analysis

Example 1: Call Defense Against a BTN Steal

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Big Blind
Preflop: Everyone folds, BTN raises $6 (3BB), SB folds, Hero receives K♠9♠ in the Big Blind
Pot: $9 (BTN $6 + SB $1 + BB $2)

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → The BTN attempts to steal with the widest range (40% or more). K9s is a suited Broadway with good playability.
2. What role does my hand play within my range?
   → A call hand. It's too weak to 3-bet, but being suited, it has flush draw potential on the flop.
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?
   → Pot odds 2.25:1 (call $4 for a $9 pot). Since $2 has already been invested, the actual cost to call is only an additional $4.

Conclusion: Call $4

Comment: K9s is a good hand to defend against the BTN's wide steal range. Being suited, it has the potential to make a flush draw or a pair on the flop, and the pot odds are favorable. If you fold too much, the BTN will continue to steal, so defend aggressively.

Example 2: 3-bet Defense Against a BTN Steal

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Big Blind
Preflop: Everyone folds, BTN raises $6, SB folds, Hero receives A♣J♦ in the Big Blind
Pot: $9

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → AJ is a strong Broadway hand. It beats most of the BTN's wide steal range.
2. What role does my hand play within my range?
   → A 3-bet value hand. Although out of position, the hand is strong enough to 3-bet.
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?
   → Since the BTN stole widely, they will fold often to a 3-bet. Even if they call, AJ is a good hand.

Conclusion: 3-bet $18 (3x)

Comment: AJ is a hand that can 3-bet against the BTN's wide steal range. Despite the disadvantage of being out of position, the BTN folds frequently, making it highly profitable. Take the initiative with a 3-bet and isolate the pot.

Example 3: Tight Defense Against an Early Position Raise

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Big Blind
Preflop: UTG raises $6, everyone folds, Hero receives Q♠J♦ in the Big Blind
Pot: $9

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → UTG raises with a very narrow range (15% or less). QJ is an offsuit Broadway of medium strength.
2. What role does my hand play within my range?
   → A marginal hand. Risk of being dominated by UTG's strong range (AQ, KQ, AJ, KJ).
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?
   → UTG's range is strong, and being out of position makes it difficult to play postflop.

Conclusion: Fold

Comment: QJ seems like a good hand, but it has low profitability against UTG's strong range. Being dominated by AQ, KQ, AJ out of position carries the risk of losing a large pot. Unlike BTN steals, respond tightly to early position raises.

Example 4: Small Pair When a Multiway Pot is Expected

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Big Blind
Preflop: MP raises $6, CO calls, BTN folds, Hero receives 5♠5♣ in the Big Blind
Pot: $15 (MP $6 + CO $6 + SB $1 + BB $2)

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → 55 is a small pair, a set mining hand. Since it's already a multiway pot, implied odds are high.
2. What role does my hand play within my range?
   → Set mining. If a 5 appears on the flop (approx. 12% chance), it becomes a very strong hand.
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?
   → Since it's multiway, there's a high chance of winning a large pot if a set is made. Pot odds are 3.75:1 (call $4 for a $15 pot).

Conclusion: Call $4

Comment: Small pairs are highly profitable in multiway pots. Since two players have already entered, there's a high chance of winning a large pot if a set is made. Both pot odds and implied odds are favorable, so calling is good.

Key Pattern Summary

Pattern 1: BTN steal → Defend widely (40-50% call/3-bet)

Pattern 2: CO raise → Medium defense (30-35% call/3-bet)

Pattern 3: MP/EP raise → Defend tightly (20-25% call/3-bet)

Pattern 4: Strong hands (JJ+, AQ+) → 3-bet

Pattern 5: Hands with good playability (suited connectors, suited Broadways) → Call

Pattern 6: Small pairs (66-22) → Call if multiway pot expected, fold heads-up

Pattern 7: Pot odds calculation → Call cost / (Pot + Call cost)

Pattern 8: High opponent steal frequency → Add bluff 3-bets

Quiz

Question 1
BTN raises $6 (3BB), SB folds. You receive 7♠6♠ in the Big Blind. The pot is $9. What is the correct strategy?

A) Fold (too weak)
B) Call $4 (good pot odds)
C) 3-bet $18 (bluff)
D) All-in

Question 2
UTG raises $6, everyone folds. You receive A♠T♦ in the Big Blind. What is the correct strategy?

A) Call (good pot odds)
B) 3-bet (value)
C) Fold (risk of domination)
D) All-in

Question 3
MP raises $6, CO calls, BTN folds. You receive 3♣3♦ in the Big Blind. The pot is $15. What is the correct strategy?

A) Fold (too weak)
B) Call $4 (set mining)
C) 3-bet (value)
D) All-in

Question 4
The BTN attempted to steal 8 times in the last 10 hands. The BTN raises $6, SB folds. You receive K♦T♠ in the Big Blind. What is the correct strategy?

A) Fold (offsuit)
B) Call (pot odds)
C) 3-bet (exploit)
D) All-in

Question 5
CO raises $6, BTN folds. You receive Q♠Q♦ in the Big Blind. What is the correct strategy?

A) Call (trap)
B) 3-bet $18 (value)
C) 3-bet $24 (large size)
D) All-in

Answers and Explanations

Question 1
Answer: B) Call $4 (good pot odds)

Explanation: 76s is a suited connector that can be called against the BTN's wide steal range. The pot odds are 2.25:1, and it has the potential to make a straight draw or flush draw on the flop. If you fold too tightly, the BTN will continue to steal.

Question 2
Answer: C) Fold (risk of domination)

Explanation: ATo seems like a good hand, but it carries a high risk of being dominated by UTG's strong range (AQ+, AJs+, 88+). Losing a large pot when dominated by AQ or AJ out of position can be costly, so folding is safer. Unlike BTN steals, respond tightly to early position raises.

Question 3
Answer: B) Call $4 (set mining)

Explanation: 33 is a small pair that can be used for set mining in a multiway pot. Since two players have already entered, implied odds are high, and there's a good chance of winning a large pot if a set is made on the flop (approx. 12%). Pot odds of 3.75:1 are also favorable.

Question 4
Answer: C) 3-bet (exploit)

Explanation: If the BTN steals with 80% frequency, it's a very wide range. KTo can be called, but applying pressure with a 3-bet will often cause the opponent to fold. Exploit the opponent's excessive stealing with an exploitative strategy. If the BTN folds frequently, bluff 3-bets become more profitable.

Question 5
Answer: B) 3-bet $18 (value)

Explanation: QQ is a premium hand, so you should 3-bet to extract value. Just calling risks a multiway pot and can make it difficult to play postflop if overcards (K, A) appear. Despite the disadvantage of being out of position, the hand is strong, making a 3-bet advantageous in the long run.