Are you a c-betting-boss? We’re about to find out!
For each question, assume you have no solid reads on your opponent. Some questions have more than one correct answer.
Editor’s note: The questions in this quiz assume you are using a polarized c-betting strategy, but there are other valid c-betting strategies. So, you may get a question “WRONG” even though your answer is valid as a part of your strategy. Keep this in mind when reviewing your score at the end–you may deserve more points than you get.
Question #1
$0.50/$1 Online. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $100.
Hero is in MP with A♥ 3♥ utg folds. Hero raises to $2.5. 3 folds. BB calls.
Flop ($5.5): A♠ 5♦ 4♠ BB checks. Hero…?
You have a medium-strength hand with which you will not be able to extract more than one street of value most of the time. This type of hand tends to perform better as part of your bluffcatching range when playing a polarized strategy on the flop. Thus, checking back and looking to call one or two streets (depending on the runout) is advisable.
An option not given is to use a smaller c-bet size, which is also acceptable if it's accompanied by a merged c-betting strategy. This will be the case for other questions in this quiz as well, and I will offer that size as an option in some of the questions.
Question #2
$0.50/$1 Online. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $100.
Hero is in the CO with Q♥ J♥ 2 folds. Hero raises to $2.5. 2 folds. BB calls.
Flop ($5.5): T♠ 5♦ 4♠ BB checks. Hero…?
You have two overcards, a backdoor straight draw, and you are in position; enough reasons to justify putting pressure on your opponent with a bet. You can continue your aggression with a bet on many turn cards:
Either given size is fine, here, as long as it's balanced with the appropriate hands. The smaller bet size should be accompanied by a wider range and the bigger bet size should be accompanied by a tighter range.
Question #3
$0.50/$1 Online. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $100.
Hero is UTG with 7♦ 7♥ Hero raises to $2.5. 2 folds. BU calls. 2 folds
Flop ($6.5): J♠ 8♦ 4♠ Hero…?
You have a weak middle pair with only two outs to improve, and these two outs aren't even clean--both complete multiple straight draws and the 7♠ completes a flush. On top of that, you are out of position which makes realizing your equity more difficult because you will always need to act first. Betting in this spot is, therefore, a big mistake.
Question #4
$0.50/$1 Online. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $100.
Hero is on the BU with J♦ T♠ 3 folds. Hero raises to $2.5. SB folds. BB calls.
Flop ($5.5): J♠ 5♥ 2♣
BB checks. Hero…?
Although betting is not, strictly speaking, a mistake, this hand performs better in your bluff-catching range. You should bet slightly better top pairs (QJ+), which will be able to extract multiple streets of value more often, but JT is a great hand to check in order to defend against your opponent’s bluffs on the turn.
You could otherwise choose to bet a smaller size, like 1/3 pot. Betting this size will force your opponent to defend with a wider range thus you will extract more value, deny some equity and not lose as much when he happens to have a better Jack.
Question #5
$0.50/$1 Online. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $100.
Hero is on the BU with K♦ T♦ 3 folds. Hero raises to $2.5. SB folds. BB calls.
Flop ($5.5): Q♣ T♣ 6♠ BB checks. Hero…?
You have a medium-strength hand on a very dynamic board, which will perform better as part of your bluff-catching range. You will not get enough value and deny enough equity to justify the money you lose when the BB has a stronger hand. You will win more money on average by checking back and calling bets on the turn and river (except on bad runouts).
Question #6
$0.50/$1 Online. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $100.
Hero is on the BU with A♦ Q♦ 3 folds. Hero raises to $2.5. SB folds. BB calls.
Flop ($5.5): Q♣ 3♦ 2♠ BB checks. Hero…?
You have a very strong hand that will get 3 streets of value extremely often on such a board. Betting big here is by far the best option.
Question #7
$0.50/$1 Online. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $100.
Hero is on the BU with 3♠ 3♣ 3 folds. Hero raises to $2.5. SB folds. BB calls.
Flop ($5.5): K♣ 9♦ 7♠ BB checks. Hero…?
Your hand is weak with only 2 outs to improve, and a bet will only be called by better hands (or strong draws) whilst not denying much equity. Checking is by far the best option.
Exploitatively, you could bet if the BB is a tight-passive player who you think will fold hands such as 7x.
Question #8
$0.50/$1 Online. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $100.
Hero is UTG with K♦ Q♠ Hero raises to $2.5. 2 folds. BU calls. 2 folds
Flop ($6.5): 9♠ 8♦ 4♥ Hero…?
Even though you hold two over-cards and a backdoor straight draw, you are out of position against a tight and merged range. Betting here as a default is, therefore, a mistake.
Exploitatively, you can bet if the BU calls too wide preflop and the plays on the tighter side post-flop.
Question #9
$0.50/$1 Online. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $100.
Hero is in the CO with 7♥ 5♥ 2 folds. Hero raises to $2.5. 2 folds. BB calls.
Flop ($5.5): 9♠ 6♦ 5♠ BB checks. Hero…?
Even though you hold a vulnerable medium-strength hand, checking here is best. This hand will perform well after checking because it can call a probe bet, allowing you to always see the turn and river.
Betting $3.80 is a mistake since you will not deny enough equity to justify bloating the pot against the plethora of better hands that will call.
Question #10
$0.50/$1 Online. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $100.
Hero is on the BU with 6♠ 5♠ 3 folds. Hero raises to $2.5. SB folds. BB calls.
Flop ($5.5): K♠ T♦ 3♦ BB checks. Hero…?
Your hand has backdoor straight and flush draws, and you are in position. Betting here is the best play because You will be able to continue bluffing on most turns that gives you a straight or flush draw (the 2♦ and 7♦ are the exceptions).
Also, your hand will be very disguised if you hit your draw, allowing you to easily extract value from unsuspecting opponents.