Squeezing

[Outlaw]

So I was just sifting through a few HHs on pokertracker and reviewing 3-bet hands I have played this month. And while I feel my light 3-betting game has vastly improved (meaning I actually do it now sometimes), I noticed that over the last 50k hands or so I have never.. I mean not even once, squeezed light.

My question is, what range of hands do you guys feel light squeezing with works best? Is it basically the same type of hands we light 3-bet with?

I feel that squeezing most players MP ranges in position occasionally would greatly add to my win-rate... I guess for some reason I have only been looking to 3-bet when its heads up.

Also, what would be a standard 3-bet size for squeezing? I typically go 11x when heads up against a 3x raise and to 13x when against a 4x raise. I add 2bbs for a squeeze.

If this has already been covered somewhere, please point me towards it.. I couldn't find it on a search.

Thanks.

[eragotte]

I'm basically just posting to mark this post and see what people say. I find a lot of people seem to squeeze on me a lot with mid suited connectors, dunno if theyre bad or that is good. Also I feel like a hand like AQ where you might call vs one raiser is a good squeeze because your top pair is a lot weaker vs two opponents? Dunno, but I am interested.

[Micro2Macro]

I'm basically just posting to mark this post and see what people say. I find a lot of people seem to squeeze on me a lot with mid suited connectors, dunno if theyre bad or that is good. Also I feel like a hand like AQ where you might call vs one raiser is a good squeeze because your top pair is a lot weaker vs two opponents? Dunno, but I am interested.

Looks like you're on to something here

When squeezing, it really comes down to your opponents range and his tendencies (ldo) but I can sort of give you a general approach...

OOP you should make your squeeze sizing a bit bigger than when IP (If PFR makes it 3bb, + 3bb caller I'd make it 12bb IP and 14bb OOP), and your typical hands (vs someone who's calling as a means of playing back at you) should be decent broadway type hands like KJ/KQ/AQ etc. (if anyone disagrees on why please provide me an explanation).

IP, when you squeeze (depending on the games you're playing in), you're more likely to face a 4bet or fold from villain, so having a hand that you aren't going to stack postflop isn't as important as just card removal (i.e A2 or K4). But again, this depends on how your opponents are reacting to your squeeze. If someone is calling your squeezes really light OOP, you can't really go wrong just squeezing alot unless they c/r lots of flops, in which case, you'll need to reduce your bluffing frequency.

Stack sizes change things alot...and you should probably adjust the types of hands you're going to squeeze given stack sizes to avoid things like bad ROI situations (i.e. not squeezing KJ oop deep etc) and revert back to more SC type hands that can put pressure on your opponents who float by picking up lots of good turn barrel cards or just getting those fit/fold types to fold the best hand alot on the flop.

This is already getting long and there are tons of ways to adjust your squeezing ranges/3bet ranges based on your opponents, how they play, how they perceive you, etc. so OP if you'd like to discuss this further you should come on into IRC or pm me for an IM addy.

[xX zorrito Xx]

i usually squeeze play preflop with strong drawing hands like T9s ot JTs...

it's worked out pretty well for me so far...

[Outlaw]

Thanks for the info M2M, I joined IRC.. talk to you sometime when you are on.

I found this on the blog of a 100NL reg. Please feel free to comment on its merit.

There are two reasons why we were able to make such a play: (he was talking about a hand where he squeezed light with J10 suited)
(1) Our villain had a range which contained many hands he would be able to fold to the squeeze. Our villain was not a maniac, and is not going to want to play for stacks preflop with a hand like AQ or JJ. If our villain was a 6/3 nit, we obviously should not be making this play as our villain rarely if ever folds. The villains acting behind are also need to not be maniacs.

(2) We have not gotten out of line to an extent that suggests we would be squeezing light. If we start squeezing with ATC, it will probably be +EV at first, assuming the conditions above are met. But eventually, some of the better villains will start to notice. Even the mediocre regs at $50NL are bound to recognize that you're squeezing more than is reasonable if you do so with ATC, because it's such a strong play. When the better players start to adjust, squeezing light can easily become -EV. Of course, at this point squeezing with AA or KK becomes even more +EV than it is normally, so it's not all downside.

[Micro2Macro]

i usually squeeze play preflop with strong drawing hands like T9s ot JTs...

it's worked out pretty well for me so far...

in most multiway pot situations these hands would probably be better to flat call, though there are certainly exceptions based on your opponents, stack sizes, image, etc.

[spoonitnow]

i usually squeeze play preflop with strong drawing hands like T9s ot JTs...

it's worked out pretty well for me so far...

in most multiway pot situations these hands would probably be better to flat call, though there are certainly exceptions based on your opponents, stack sizes, image, etc.

You forgot position. Dumbass.

[Micro2Macro]

You forgot position. Dumbass.

in most multiway pot situations these hands would probably be better to flat call, though there are certainly exceptions based on your opponents, stack sizes, image, etc.

'etc.' includes position, among any other factors missed (imo)

[xX zorrito Xx]

i usually squeeze play preflop with strong drawing hands like T9s ot JTs...

it's worked out pretty well for me so far...

in most multiway pot situations these hands would probably be better to flat call, though there are certainly exceptions based on your opponents, stack sizes, image, etc.

well yeah that'd be a given... if i'm in position i'm flatting... if it's someone that' raises 1% of the time i'm flatting... it really all depends on those factors...

generally when i'm doing a squeeze play i'm OOP and from the blinds after i've established a solid player image that's positionally aware... 90% of the time i've done this i've taken down the pot preflop and othertimes the flop came and took it down with a C-bet...

i definately wouldn't be doing this with ATC though... and it really depends as to who is raising and calling and how much is left on who's stack...

[Outlaw]

A few squeeze hands from my last two sessions. Keep in mind that I have almost never consciously tried squeezing before.. so please pick apart my mistakes.

------------------------------------------------------------

Hand #1: Button 19/12, 45%ATS over 1.4k hands, SB 25/20 3-bets 10% over 500 hands

I would of 3-bet anyways even if it wasn't a squeeze situation.. that just made it much sweeter. My 3-bet range here is basically any two. Does that seem reasonable?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (8 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

saw flop

MP1 ($25)
MP2 ($38)
CO ($32.35)
Button ($27.50)
SB ($37.80)
Hero (BB) ($25)
UTG ($27)
UTG+1 ($25)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 8, 10
5 folds, Button bets $0.75, SB calls $0.65, Hero raises to $3.10

------------------------------------------------------------

Hand #2: MP1 26/16, 60% fold to 3-bet and 65% fold to c-bet over 646 hands, MP2 22/6 over 635 hands

A squeeze in position with blockers. I think a generally tighter squeezing range here is better against the initial raisers donkish stats.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (7 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

saw flop

CO ($12.50)
Hero (Button) ($47.90)
SB ($26.05)
BB ($32.60)
UTG ($25)
MP1 ($24.35)
MP2 ($31.05)

Preflop: Hero is Button with Q, A
1 fold, MP1 bets $0.75, MP2 calls $0.75, 1 fold, Hero raises to $3.20

------------------------------------------------------------

Hand #3: Button 10/9, 29% ATS over 687 hands, SB 28/1 over 109 hands

Pretty easy 3-bet with anything reasonable against button, SB looks like a super donk and my squeeze is an attempt at isolating him in position. I expect to have his range dominated here a lot.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

saw flop

MP1 ($5.35)
MP2 ($25)
MP3 ($33.15)
CO ($25.45)
Button ($25.30)
SB ($21.35)
Hero (BB) ($33.05)
UTG ($25)
UTG+1 ($20.35)

Preflop: Hero is BB with J, A
6 folds, Button bets $0.75, SB calls $0.65, Hero raises to $3.10

------------------------------------------------------------

Hand #4: MP3 14/12, fold to 3-bet 90% over 346 hands, CO 28/13 3-bets 12% over 249 hands

Looked like a ripe squeeze opportunity due to MP3s fairly weak range from that position and CO's tendency to either raise or fold preflop. I am pretty sure he is 3-betting any broadway type hands and pairs 88+. So I put his flatting range on 22-77, suited connectors. Its a pretty horrible flop for his range so its an easy c-bet, didn't really matter that I pretty much flopped the nuts.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

saw flop

MP3 ($33.95)
CO ($15.90)
Button ($25)
Hero (SB) ($25)
BB ($25)
UTG ($25.35)
UTG+1 ($31.75)
MP1 ($22.10)
MP2 ($29.65)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A, 8
4 folds, MP3 bets $1, CO calls $1, 1 fold, Hero raises to $3.50, 2 folds, CO calls $2.50

Flop: ($8.25) 4, J, K (2 players)
Hero bets $5.40

------------------------------------------------------------

Hand #5: MP1 21/14, 90% fold to 3-bet over 315 hands, MP2 26/9 over 23 hands.

This is the only nasty spot I really got into squeezing thus far. The MP2 flats with his short stack which is a horrible play with any hand imo. Then his awkward stack size puts me to a difficult decision postflop. I decided to c-bet about 1/3 of his stack size figuring he doesn't have an ace often enough to make this automatically profitable. I have no equity so I feel like I have to bet oop. Check/folding is pretty horrible here right?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

saw flop

UTG+1 ($31)
MP1 ($25.25)
MP2 ($10.15)
MP3 ($14.65)
CO ($32.60)
Button ($25)
Hero (SB) ($25)
BB ($25)
UTG ($29.10)

Preflop: Hero is SB with 8, 7
2 folds, MP1 bets $0.75, MP2 calls $0.75, 3 folds, Hero raises to $3.20, 2 folds, MP2 calls $2.45

Flop: ($7.40) 5, A, 10 (2 players)
Hero bets $2, MP2 raises to $6.95 (All-In), Hero folds

Total pot: $11.40 | Rake: $0.55

[Micro2Macro]

Last hand your cbet is too small. Just don't do that, shove the flop.

Problem with squeezing here though is the shortish stack. SC's really suck unless he's calling a huge range and c/f'ing a tonnn of flops.

Squeeze with like A9 instead there.

[dranger7070]

I noticed that you seem to raise smaller OOP than you did IP with AQ, any reason why that is, or are you using something like Table Ninja that automates the bet sizing?

[surviva316]

all of these spots are so perfect to squeeze, that i'm willing to bet you're missing some less obvious ones (namely, doing it a helluva lot IP whenever we have any kind of blockers against any kind of wide range).

hand 1, is close to a flat, but i'd squeeze here to 3.50.

hand 2, if flatting here is profitable, i'd do that instead, but you obv know much more about whether or not that's the case for these villain's at these games. otherwise, i'd squeeze to no more than 3.

hand 3, call me strange, but i like to differentiate in my head between squeezes, iso's and 3b's for value. for whatever reason, it helps me to do this (kinda like being cognizant of whether a cbet is for value or as a bluff helps a lot of beginners). i'd classify this as an iso, knowing that regardless of whether SB folds or calls, this is printing money.

hand 4, i'm not thrilled about making this any less than 4, but i don't know (if i were MP, i'd def flat your bet sizing with any PP or SC). as played, flop bet sizing seems like worst option available. how often is he folding to our $7 turn shove into a $19 pot with anything? even 3/2 PSB shoving flop seems superior, but i think betting 4.25 is my favorite option.

i really hate hand 5. flat pre, and FFS just shove the flop. i prolly sound like a dick, but this hand seems like a tutorial on how to NOT play short stackers.

[BooG690]

CO - 13/11, 50% ATS
BU - 21/11, 5.6% 3b

Full Tilt No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (7 handed) - Full-Tilt Replayer from Poker Hands Replayer



Button ($10.50)
Hero (SB) ($10.05)
BB ($12.99)
UTG ($10)
MP1 ($6.65)
MP2 ($10)
CO ($11.41)

Preflop: Hero is SB with J, A
3 folds, CO bets $0.40, Button calls $0.40, Hero raises to $1.70, 3 folds

Total pot: $1.30 | Rake: $0

Results:
Hero didn't show J, A (nothing).
Outcome: Hero won $1.30

Card removal ftw.

[surviva316]

looks good boog

[eragotte]

funny hand, after the hand the villains like wtffff someone squeezing x% (i forget, it was obviously over an irrelevant sample though) shows up with the fckin nuts!!!!!!!!!! fckin jokerstars

PokerStars Game #38231671053: Hold'em No Limit ($0.25/$0.50 USD) - 2010/01/16 0:38:04 ET
Table 'Anastasia V' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: head_felt ($67.60 in chips)
Seat 2: Matigol9 ($51.05 in chips)
Seat 3: Ghasher ($22.85 in chips)
Seat 4: speedcake ($83.95 in chips)
Seat 5: Arl0rd ($51.20 in chips)
Seat 6: steelyanky ($127.60 in chips)
head_felt: posts small blind $0.25
Matigol9: posts big blind $0.50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to head_felt [Ks Kh]
Ghasher: folds
speedcake: raises $1 to $1.50
Arl0rd: calls $1.50
steelyanky: folds
head_felt: raises $4.50 to $6
Matigol9: folds
speedcake: raises $12.50 to $18.50
Arl0rd: folds
head_felt: raises $16.50 to $35
speedcake: raises $48.95 to $83.95 and is all-in
head_felt: calls $32.60 and is all-in
Uncalled bet ($16.35) returned to speedcake
*** FLOP *** [7h 3c 3s]
*** TURN *** [7h 3c 3s] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [7h 3c 3s 6d] [Qh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
head_felt: shows [Ks Kh] (two pair, Kings and Threes)
speedcake: shows [9d 9h] (two pair, Nines and Threes)
head_felt collected $134.20 from pot

[dranger7070]

Lol speedcake gives ZERO respect to squeezes vs FTR pplz.

[surviva316]

lolol, erogette, did you know speedcake was an FTR'er when you posted that?

[Outlaw]

Last hand your cbet is too small. Just don't do that, shove the flop.

Problem with squeezing here though is the shortish stack. SC's really suck unless he's calling a huge range and c/f'ing a tonnn of flops.

Squeeze with like A9 instead there.

Yeah I thought he was folding pf like every time.. when he flatted I was like "wtf..." My first instinct was to shove the flop.. but it just seemed so gross.

I noticed that you seem to raise smaller OOP than you did IP with AQ, any reason why that is, or are you using something like Table Ninja that automates the bet sizing?

I sized the bet smaller to promote a call from the sb.

[eragotte]

lolol, erogette, did you know speedcake was an FTR'er when you posted that?

lol no, i would have blocked the name, should i do that now anyway? its kinda pointless since its in the next two posts

[dranger7070]

fuck it, its more fun this way lol