At 20bb, big blind pots versus a button open are defined by two things: wide ranges and frequent small bets. This hand shows how GTO strategy uses proactive donk-betting from the big blind on low, connected textures, then continues applying pressure with small sizing across streets.

Assumptions

• Stacks: 20bb effective
• Positions: BB (Hero) vs BTN (Villain)
• Action: BTN raises to 2bb, BB calls with 6♦5♣
• Flop: 7♠5♥4♣ (Pot 5.5bb)
• Turn: 9♠ (Pot 8.3bb)
• River: 2♣ (Pot 12.5bb)

Flop: 7♠5♥4♣

This is a highly connected, low board that strongly favors the big blind’s defending range. Solver output reflects that advantage by giving BB an aggressive leading strategy: bet 1.4bb 53.8%, bet 18.0bb 12.8%, and check 33.4%.

With 6♦5♣, Hero flops a pair with strong interaction on this texture, making it a natural fit for the small lead size. The small bet pressures BTN’s broadway-heavy whiffed range while keeping BTN’s continuing range wide. After BB bets 1.4bb, BTN’s response is to continue frequently—call 78.7%, fold 8.3%, and raise at low frequency across 4.7bb (6.6%), 7.2bb (4.1%), and 18.0bb (2.4%).

Turn: 9♠

The 9♠ shifts the board but does not reduce BB’s incentive to apply pressure. Solver has BB betting very often again: bet 2.1bb 65.4%, with other sizes used at low frequency (5.0bb 6.6%, 8.3bb 1.8%, 16.6bb 3.1%), and check 23.1%.

Hero’s 2.1bb continuation aligns with the solver’s dominant plan. BTN’s response mixes more aggression here than on the flop: raise 7.1bb 23.5%, raise 16.6bb 3.8%, call 56.8%, fold 15.9%. In the played line, BTN calls, which keeps BB’s range advantage intact going to the river.

River: 2♣

The 2♣ is a low blank that keeps the board’s structure stable. Solver still prefers BB betting frequently: bet 3.1bb 38.2%, bet 7.5bb 8.2%, bet 14.5bb 25.3%, and check 28.3%.

With this exact poker hand, Hero always chooses the small 3.1bb bet, which the solver uses most often among the available river sizes across the entire range. BTN’s response versus this bet is mixed: raise 14.5bb 35.4%, call 42.5%, fold 22.1%. In the played line, BTN calls, which is consistent with solver defense versus a sizing that targets wide portions of BTN’s range.

Key Takeaways

• Flop: On low connected textures, solver gives BB an aggressive donk range. The primary size is small (1.4bb at 53.8%) with a secondary overbet (12.8%).
• Turn: BB continues betting at high frequency, again anchored by the small size (2.1bb at 65.4%). BTN responds with more raising, but calling remains the most common continuation (56.8%).
• River: BB maintains a high betting frequency with multiple sizes, led by the small bet (3.1bb at 38.2%). BTN’s response includes a meaningful raise frequency (35.4%) alongside calls (42.5%) and folds (22.1%).
• Overall: This hand shows a PeakGTO approved pattern of small, frequent leads from BB on favorable low boards, sustaining pressure while keeping BTN’s range wide and difficult to realize equity with at 20bb.