Preflop statistics

Let's discuss the corrective play from preflop, action by action as we move further away. There are a few basic stats in preflop: VPIP, PFR, 3-bet, fold, 4-bet. When we say something is "too lose" or "too tight", it should be interpreted in the context of the average player - the standard model. Slight deviations are irrelevant, so only make adjustments when the deviations are significant.

• If someone is too loose on preflop with VPIP and PFR in a shorthanded game, there are several ways to use this to your advantage. You can 3-bet into it often, call it while in position and put pressure on it in the postflop phase, or you can do both together. Heads up, a high VPIP or PFR opponent on the button is normal and you won't be able to take advantage of him here, but if he has a high VPIP out of position, then your strategy could be to bet as much as you can on the flop and the turn (chances are you don't have to do anything at all, because such players will just give up their money by folding a lot on the flop). If a player is playing with a wide range and attacking on multiple flops, you'd be better off tightening up your open range a bit, but you should always apply pressure on flops and turns. Ranges tend to get wider and more aggressive, but you should always be in front when in position.
• If someone plays too tight with VPIP and PFR, you should win automatically with a good preflop raise range. Against a player who is very tight you simply win more blinds, and that will add up in the long run. In the meantime, just play his tight raises, fold more hands that you would normally call, and respect his flop bets more.
• If someone 3-bets too much, in a shorthanded game we can either 4-bet them liberally or start calling more often, or both.

Just remember that 4-betting is a natural solution and calling is a potential solution. This means that if you call it in position and then don't follow any deliberate exploitation strategy, you will simply lose money. For a potential call to be effective, you need to make follow-up decisions that include actions such as floating bets in position, bluff-raising on the flop, or calling down more often with medium-handed hands.

In heads up, the answer to an aggressive 3-better is exactly the same: more 4-bets or calls. Just a word of warning, in heads up, the matching game is much more important, as 3-bet pots are played much more often here.

• If someone has a very low 3-bet frequency, it is better to fold to their 3-bets more often and show them respect. Similarly, when playing against someone who has too narrow a VPIP/PFR, you simply need to maintain your normal, healthy 3-bet frequency and this will lead to more money in the long run.
• If someone has a high 3-betting frequency, of course you should 3-bet against that player often.
• If someone has too low a 3-betting frequency, the best way to adjust would be to take into account how passive they are postflop. If the player is very active and aggressive after the flop, then the best solution would be to tighten the 3-bets. But if the opponent is passive enough, then you can continue 3-betting at the normal or even wider range and simply take pots with the flop and turn c-bets. Against weak or passive players, who are almost reluctant to fold 3-bets, picking up 3-bet pots with a c-bet will be one of the biggest edges you'll encounter in the game.
• If someone 4-bets too much. Adapting to such a player's game depends on whether he is genuinely trying to extend his 4-bet/call range or just testing his 4-bet/call range constant. Some players simply 4-bet at a higher frequency, not trying to widen their 4-bet/call range, but rather to include stronger hands such as A-J or medium pairs. In this case, the ideal approach would be to simply 5-bet in. If the opponent does distribute his 4-bet/call range, more frequent 4-bet calls and confrontation after the flop is a better choice (5-betting is the natural solution, 4-bet calls are potential). Of course, if someone 4-bets you with a good deal, it is always a good idea to reduce your 3-bet frequency.
• If your opponent 4-bets too low, 3-bet against him as much as your heart desires.
  

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