Here are the questions, answers, and explanations from our OtB_RedBaron strategy quiz.


Question #1

✅ Check

🔲 C-bet $40

🔲 C-bet $75

The Baron usually checks back with weak gutshots, like this one, because they don't fare well against check-raises and can call on almost all turns after checking back. This also helps with balance as Baron can represent some straights when they complete on the turn after checking back on the flop. Plus, it means he'll have some extra bluffing hands to include in his delay c-bet range when the BB checks again on the turn.


Question #2

🔲 Check

✅ C-bet $40

🔲 C-bet $75

With this type of hand, you should c-bet 100% of the time. Checking, hitting the straight, and then trying to raise the turn or river for value is not a good plan, because almost nobody would bluff-raise in such a spot. Consequently, the best way to play this hand is to c-bet the flop.

When it comes to choosing between a small bet size and a regular bet size, the Baron typically chooses to bet small. Using this small size has a lot of merits, but it's a part of a complex strategy that takes a lot of studying and experience to execute effectively.

Be careful trying to implement this strategy if you typically use regular bet sizes with a polarized range (as advocated by the Postflop Game Plan and early sections of the Upswing Lab). The ranges you are used to playing on the flop, turn, and river will be considerably different than the Baron's ranges, which can lead you to make mistakes in unfamiliar spots.

If you want to try out the Baron's small bet strategy, I recommend testing it at lower stakes before using it in your regular games. You can also study the strategy by using software (like PioSolver), watching the videos in the Beyond Core Strategy section of the Upswing Lab, or by watching someone like the Baron play.


Question #3

🔲 Check

✅ C-bet $40

The Baron seems to almost always c-bets these type of strong straight draw, probably because it does very well against raises. You can very easily bet-call, and then when you hit the turn your opponent will try to put a lot of pressure on you since it hits their perceived range more than yours.

Interesting side note: if you only bluff with the best straight draws (open-enders and strong gutshots), you will rarely find yourself over-bluffing.


Question #4

✅ Check

🔲 C-bet $40

This is a hand that can comfortably go for two streets of value, so the question is which two streets to bet (the options are bet flop-bet turn-check river, bet flop-check turn-bet river, or check flop-bet turn-bet river).

The Baron usually checks with hands like this because the card that gives you two pair will also give the big blind many straight draws, with which he will likely bluff.


Question #5

✅ Check

🔲 C-bet $130

Although c-betting this hand is not, strictly speaking, a mistake, the Baron typically checks with this type of straight draw since it doesn’t do well against raises. With these hands, he elects to either check-call or sometimes even check-raise.


Question #6

✅ Check

🔲 C-bet $130

Similar to the previous hand, betting is not strictly a mistake. That being said, the Baron typically checks with top pairs that have a flush draw. He does this because it protects his range on flush-completing run outs because his opponent will likely put a lot of pressure on him.


Question #7

✅ Check

🔲 C-bet $40

The Baron seems to check back with weaker two-pairs on very connected boards, like this one. He typically does this against opponents who will put a lot of pressure on him once he checks. This way he is protected against delayed over-bets and barrels.

You should almost certainly not use this play against players who do not have sophisticated strategies. Against those players, you will usually make more money by betting.


Question #8

🔲 Check

✅ C-bet $40

The Baron typically bets top pairs that improve to two-pair on turn cards that will allow his opponent to continue calling him wide.

In this example, when Baron bets the flop, his opponent calls, and the turn is a 4, his opponent will likely over-call against a double barrel since no draws have completed and the Baron can easily be over-bluffing on such a dynamic board after defending blind vs blind -- a very wide range spot.


Question #9

✅ Check

🔲 Bet $75

🔲 Bet $150

In this situation, the Baron chooses to check-raise with the strongest hands. This play needs to be a part of your strategy because it prevents your opponent from being able to value bet thinly (which allows him to bluff more than he should as well).

There is actually not much difference in EV between over-betting and check-raising, but the Baron opts to check-raise since it makes his strategy more robust.


Question #10

🔲 Check

🔲 Bet $75

✅ Bet $150

Check-raising in this spot is a bit too greedy because you will not be able to check-raise, barrel, and get called by a weaker hand often enough. This is especially true considering the plethora of stronger hands you credibly represent with a check-raise (86s, J8s, 77 and possibly J8o if you would defend it preflop). Plus, it's very possible the button turned a better two pair or trap-checked a strong hand on the flop.

Consequently, in these types of situations, where he cannot get a lot of value by check-raising, the Baron opts to bet very big. You should still check-raise with hands like 86s or J8s.

Side note: If you think the button will blindly delay c-bet all of his air and weak Ax on the turn, check-raising with T9 makes a lot more sense.


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