Let's review postflop stats: continuation bet, checkraise, fold to checkraise, and fold to bet (OOP – out of position).
- If someone performs continuation bets too often. There are three main strategies against such a player. The first is to checkraise more often, the second is to call with weaker hands (e.g., low pairs), and the third is to float against them more frequently. Of course, floating is a potential option, so it must be done wisely if you want it to be effective.
I would like to point out that, contrary to what most players tend to believe, leading with a wider range OOP is not a reason for a higher c-bet frequency. The OOP leading range does not affect anything unless the player plays poorly against OOP leading. OOP leading simply bypasses the c-bet game, creating a different dynamic. We have nothing against OOP leading, but if you use OOP leading against frequent c-betting, then you are making a mistake by adapting. However, you have a good chance to increase your EV simply by letting the player c-bet and then exploiting them.
- If someone performs continuation bets too rarely, it can be challenging. In this case, it can be difficult to exploit a good player, especially if they are well-balanced and organize their hand range wisely on the flop and turn. But when playing against a weaker player, you can exploit their passivity by simply winning significantly more pots than they do.
Call preflop with a wider range, so you get 4 free cards (flop and turn) more often and lead on the turn. Respect this player's c-bets and checkraise less against them. Against a weaker player of this type, you can do a lot of OOP leading not to exploit their rare c-betting, but because such a passive strategy indicates that they are not inclined to take risks and will rarely respond to such actions. - If someone checkraises too much, you should reduce your flop c-bet frequency against such a checkraiser. Check back with weak hands (both with air and weak pairs), 3-bet their checkraises more often with both value hands and bluffs, and float some of their checkraises. As usual, floating is a potential solution, so you also need to play aggressively on the turn or occasionally double float.
- If someone checkraises too little, it can again be a tricky situation. Often it depends on other factors as well. If someone rarely checkraises and often calls your c-
bets, it means they are floating against you out of position and calling with many high card hands. Against such player actions, you can simply increase your turn and river barreling frequency. If they rarely checkraise but fold normally or slightly less than average, it seems that such a player is slow-playing strong hands that other players would checkraise with, so be cautious on later streets. If a player rarely checkraises but folds often, they are just burning money, and you should c-
bet a lot. - If an opponent folds to checkraises too often. Aggressively checkraise them. This is one of your most profitable opponents.
- If a player folds to checkraises too rarely. Checkraise such an opponent with
a narrower range, leaning more towards value hands. When you checkraise, barrel more on the turn and river, especially when you hit a draw, as they will often float or simply have a weaker hand. Against a passive player who folds easily under some pressure, you can use a standard checkraise frequency. If they are throwing money away by folding on many turns with small pairs and other weak hands, this can also be a profitable strategy. - If someone folds to OOP bets too often, lead OOP a lot while bluffing.
- If a player folds to OOP bets too rarely, lead OOP only with a good hand.
When hands move to the turn and river, they become more complex, and there is more connection between different stages of the hand (e.g., You need to think about how the player played with a draw before getting here? With what cards did they bluff on the flop? How do they distribute their value hands?). You need to holistically analyze the other player's hand ranges and figure out which hands your opponent uses and which they discard in their game structure. Ultimately, the principles of adaptation in postflop play remain similar anyway.
