Learn GTO preflop theory in MTT poker

8 of hearts3 of spades

Weak offsuit showdown hand

Eight-Three Offsuit

83o gets some showdown value from its eight, while the three offers a little more wheel connectivity than 84o or 85o. It remains offsuit and makes a dominated pair when a three or eight appears. Fold to voluntary action. A free BB check is not a voluntary call.

Pocket33

How to play 83o by position and stack size

Recommended actionUTG8-maxUTG18-maxLJ6-maxHJ6-maxCO6-maxBTN6-maxSB6-max
100bb+FoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFold
40-100bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFold
27-40bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFold
20-26bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFold
16-19bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFold
11-15bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFold
7-10bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFold
6bb-FoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFold
Open when:Almost never outside a defined exploit

A few marginal chart branches can exist at specific depths, but the weak three kicker makes calls uncomfortable.

3bet when:Not as a standard bluff

It has no useful high-card blocker and poor equity against a continuing range.

Call when:Mostly fold after a raise

Better eights and higher threes dominate many of the pairs it can make.

Jam when:Not a standard shove

Tournament ranges may shift with stack pressure, but 83o is not a routine shove.

Fold when:Against most voluntary action

Folding avoids a marginal high card with few strong draws.

Strong against

No strong matchup to highlight.

Weak against

  • A of spades8 of hearts
    A8o

    A8o shares the Eight with the better kicker, so 83o can make a costly second-best pair.

Flop classes

A of spades8 of hearts5 of spades
Pair with weak kicker

On A♣ 8♦ 5♠, 83o has a pair of eights with a weak kicker. Take showdown value cautiously and fold to strong pressure.

9 of spades7 of hearts5 of spades
Gutshot route

On 9♣ 7♦ 5♠, a six completes 5-6-7-8-9. Continue only when the price and position make the draw defensible.

Q of spadesJ of hearts4 of spades
No pair or draw

On Q♣ J♦ 4♠, 83o has no pair or direct straight draw. Check and fold to a bet rather than inventing a bluff.

Strategic notes

Versus 3-bets
  • Fold: 83o does not have enough equity to continue against a 3-bet.
  • Avoid the 4-bet bluff: 83o has no ace blocker and little playability when called.
Post-flop playability
  • Check or fold: Checking the BB option costs nothing and is not a call. Give up on a clean miss against pressure.
  • Pair with caution: A pair of eights has some showdown value, but the three kicker loses to many better eights.
  • 83o can sometimes pick up a gutshot, but the draw remains thin and its three kicker creates poor outcomes when it misses or completes a weak pair.
  • No two-card flush draw: Offsuit cards cannot create that draw. A backdoor straight route needs a precise board sequence.

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