3-bet pots in cash games are some of the most strategically rich situations because ranges are narrower, equities run closer, and postflop dynamics shift quickly. This spot matters because it shows how solver logic balances pot control with aggression on dynamic textures, and how to maximize value once range advantage shifts decisively.

Today, we will analyze a 100bb cash game spot where the small blind 3-bets with A♠J♥ against a button open. This hand highlights solver adjustments across each street and how to extract value while keeping our range balanced.

Hand setup:

• Stacks: 100bb effective
• Positions: SB vs BTN
• Action: BTN raises to 3bb, SB 3-bets to 12bb, BTN calls
• Flop: Q♣ J♦ 8♣ (Pot 24.5bb)
• Turn: J♠ (Pot 36.7bb)
• River: 3♠ (Pot 55.1bb)

Flop: Q♣ J♦ 8♣

PeakGTO plays a mixed strategy here. SB bets small (37.1%) or medium (31.7%), while checking 26.7%. In this hand, SB checked, and BTN bet 6.1bb. Solver prefers calling 71.4% of the time, with very little raising.

This board is highly connected, offering straights, flush draws, and two-pair combos for both players. Raising has little merit as we would fold out worse and bloat the pot against stronger holdings. The best option is check-call, pot control, and equity realization out of position.

Turn: J♠

The turn dramatically changes equity. Trips shift the range advantage firmly to SB, who now holds over 60% equity against BTN’s betting range. Solver prefers leading here with a small bet 75.2% of the time. That’s exactly what happens: SB leads 9.2bb and BTN calls.

After a flop check-call, the SB’s range is Jack-heavy, while BTN is unlikely to bet many Jx. If SB checks again, BTN often checks back strong but second-best hands like AQ or KQ. Leading charges flush draws and weaker pairs while maximizing value from poker hands that would otherwise pot control.

River: 3♠

The river bricks all draws. Solver has SB shoving 72.7bb about one-third of the time, while BTN should call 39.1% and fold 60.9%.

GTO strategy strongly prefers the shove. Smaller bets won’t get called by ace-highs or busted draws, so the only profitable line is to target made hands such as KQ, AQ, and weaker Jx. The most frequent and best option is to go all in for value. Importantly, this jam also works well with natural bluff candidates like AKo or KTs, keeping the strategy balanced.

Key Takeaways

• Flop: On a dynamic board with straight and flush possibilities, check-calling is best when out of position with medium-strength hands like AJ.
• Turn: Equity shifts strongly to SB. Leading is mandatory to deny equity and extract value.
• River: Bricked draws make the shove optimal. Value jams target BTN’s made hands and are balanced by natural bluffs.
• Overall: 3-bet pots require flexible adjustment. Begin with pot control, but once range advantage arrives, push it aggressively with decisive betting.