KQs from BTN, first in — fold, call or raise?
The answer
Raise
take the lead
The math: KQs on the Button is a clear open. You’ll act last all hand.
Why
Last position is the biggest edge at the table: you see everyone’s move before yours. Strong Button hands should raise, not limp. Take the lead and make the blinds pay to play.
The spot
- Your seat
- BTN
- Stakes and stacks
- $1 / $2 · 100bb
- Your hand
- K♠ Q♠
- Board
- Preflop — no board yet
- Pot
- POT · $3
- Action on you
- Folded to you
Every option
Foldtoo tight
Why not: KQs on the Button is far too strong to fold. You’d be skipping free money.
Calljust limp
Why not: Limping invites the blinds in cheap and gives up the initiative position hands you.
Raisetake the leadCorrect
2bb · $4 · 2.5bb · $5 · 3bb · $6
The idea behind it
Position is information. The later you act, the more you know, so late seats play more hands, and they enter with a raise, not a limp.
Concept: Open-raising
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.