Learn GTO preflop theory in MTT poker

T of hearts8 of spades

Weak offsuit high-card hand

Ten-Eight Offsuit

T8o has useful connectivity, but no flush potential and a vulnerable Ten kicker. It is mostly a big-blind defend or a rare button open against tight blinds. Depth helps the straight draw, while shallow stacks favor folding dominated top pairs.

Pocket33

How to play T8o by position and stack size

Recommended actionUTG8-maxUTG18-maxLJ6-maxHJ6-maxCO6-maxBTN6-maxSB6-max
100bb+FoldFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenLimp
40-100bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenLimp
27-40bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldLimp
20-26bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldLimp
16-19bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldLimp
11-15bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldLimp
7-10bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldJam
6bb-FoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldJam
Open when:Occasionally from the button

Position and fold equity are needed because T8o is easily dominated.

3bet when:Rarely as a bluff

It has no suited blocker and little equity when called.

Call when:Big blind at a good price

Closing the action helps, but out-of-position realization remains difficult.

Jam when:Only in a chart-approved short-stack spot

Do not replace a post-flop edge with an automatic shove.

Fold when:Facing early-position action

Fold when the spot does not justify continuing.

Strong against

9 of spades8 of hearts
98o

98o shares the Eight but has the weaker kicker, making a dominated pair that can still pay T8o.

Weak against

  • A of spadesT of hearts
    ATo

    ATo shares the Ten with the better kicker, so T8o can make a costly second-best pair.

Flop classes

9 of spades7 of hearts5 of spades
Open-ended draw

On 9♣ 7♦ 5♠, a Six or Jack completes a straight.

T of spades8 of spades2 of hearts
Two pair

On T♠ 8♣ 2♦, value-bet carefully because AT, KT, QT and JT remain ahead of the Ten.

A of heartsK of spades3 of hearts
Complete miss

On A♦ K♣ 3♥, fold to a continuation bet without a pair or straight draw.

Strategic notes

Versus 3-bets
  • Fold out of position: T8o needs too many favorable boards to call profitably.
  • Continue only with position and depth: A small sizing can justify a narrow defense against a wide range.
Post-flop playability
  • Use the open-ended draw correctly: On 9♣ 7♦ 2♥, T8o has an open-ended draw to a Six or Jack.
  • Do not call a pair a draw: When both ranks pair, T8o has two pair, but stronger Tens can still dominate the Ten.
  • Fold missed boards without equity: Offsuit T8 cannot make a flush.

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