87s from SB, first in — fold, call or raise?
The answer
Raise
raise it up
The math: The Small Blind opens 87s. But make it raise-or-fold — never just complete.
Why
Heads-up against only the Big Blind, 87s has enough equity and playability to open. The mistake isn’t playing it — it’s limping. Completing lets the Big Blind see a free flop and leaves you out of position with no initiative. Raise to take it down or set up a hand you control.
The spot
- Your seat
- SB
- Stakes and stacks
- $1 / $2 · 100bb
- Your hand
- 8♥ 7♥
- Board
- Preflop — no board yet
- Pot
- POT · $3
- Action on you
- Folds to you
Every option
Foldgive up the hand
Why not: 87s sits comfortably inside the Small Blind opening range — folding is too tight.
Callcomplete for $1
Why not: Completing into the Big Blind plays out of position with no initiative. From the SB it’s raise or fold, don’t flat.
Raiseraise it upCorrect
3bb · $6 · 3.5bb · $7 · 4bb · $8
The idea behind it
From the Small Blind you’ll be out of position all hand, so completing is the worst option — it forfeits initiative. Raise the hands you play, and fold the rest.
Concept: Blind steals
Terms in this spot
Play it instead of reading it
The trainer deals this hand with hints, grading and spaced repetition — and randomized variations of it once you have seen it.