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3. SB vs. BB

3.1. Open raise in the SB

Against weak-tight opponents, an open raise from the SB is deemed to be very effective. Only rarely you will be confronted with a call and even rarer with a re-raise, which saves you the costly conti-bet. This move loses its profitability though when the stacks are less than 20 BB as the opponent can easily defend by going all-in.

In this situation it is also profitable to raise with the weakest hands, as you hardly ever reach the post-flop game. Without antes 2 ½ BB are already enough, with antes you should generally bet 3 BB though as thinking opponents receive good pot odds, especially as they are in position. Weak-tight players will often fold in this case, disregarding the pot odds. Morgoth will often raise to 3 BB in general in these kinds of situations on higher limits.

If you get called, you should closely check the board texture and eventually make a conti-bet of ½ pot size. Any ace, any rag board and any paired flop should be bet.

On a flop like 9JK you should probably play check/fold if you didn't hit anything. Should it get to the post-flop game, it is important to not overplay your own marginal hands against tight players.

Let's assume you open raise from the small blind once again, against a very tight opponent who has never called until now:

Blinds 100/200 (5 players)

Stacks
Hero ($2700)
BB ($2500)

Preflop: Hero is SB with 6 , 6
3 folds, Hero raises to $500, BB calls $300.

Flop: ($1000) 3 9 K (2 players)
Hero bets $600, BB calls $600.

Turn: ($2200) J (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $700, Hero?

You get very good odds (about 4:1), but the reversed implied odds (about 2:1) are not so good and you can be certain that your opponent has you beat and is ready to go to the showdown.