How to use a short stack poker strategy to build your bankroll.

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Short Stack Bankroll Building

Core Strategy:
•Simple, Aggressive, Value-Oriented Play
•Avoid marginal spots & postflop heroics
•Exploit deeper stacks who overvalue hands postflop
•Fold equity + value = primary edge


General Guidelines

C-bet small (33-50%) on dry boards.
•Jam or fold turns, especially if SPR < 2.5.
•Don’t slowplay top pair+ — go for stacks.
•Trap stations, value bet thinly vs calling fish.
•Bluff less often unless opponent folds too much.

SPR Zones:
•SPR 1-2: Stack off with overpairs, top pair/top kicker.
•SPR 3-5: Proceed more cautiously; fold TPGK to big aggression from nits.
•SPR >5: Avoid unless holding strong hands

Vs loose-passive players:
•Open tighter.
•Value-bet relentlessly.
•No bluffing.

Vs aggressive regs:
•3-bet tighter, trap with top range.
•Check-raise more with strong made hands.


Opening Ranges by Position:
•UTG (8-9%):
•66+, AJs+, AQo+, KQs
•UTG+1 (9-10%):
•55+, AJs+, AQo+, KQs, QJs
•MP1 (10-11%):
•44+, ATs+, AJo+, KQs, QJs, JTs
•MP2 (12-13%):
•33+, A9s+, ATo+, KJs+, QJs, JTs, T9s
•HJ (14-15%):
•22+, A8s+, ATo+, KTs+, QTs+, JTs, 98s, 87s
•CO (20-22%):
•Any pair, A2s+, A9o+, all suited broadways, QTo+, JTo, most suited connectors
•BTN (35-40%):
•All pairs, all suited aces, all broadways, most suited connectors and one-gappers, all suited kings down to K2s, offsuit broadways and gappers
•SB (25-30%):
•Strong suited aces, broadways, suited connectors — raise or fold, avoid limping
•BB:
•Defend tighter vs. early opens; wider vs. CO/BTN. Mix in 3-bet shoves with hands like 66+, AJo+, ATs+, A5s, KJs against steals.

⸻

2. Preflop Raise Sizing Guidelines

In live cash games, adjusting your raise sizes can exploit common tendencies of opponents.
•Opening Raise Sizes:
•EP to MP: 4x BB (e.g., $20 in $2/$5 games), adding +1 BB per limper
•HJ to CO: 4x–5x BB, exploiting tighter ranges behind
•BTN: 5x BB vs. tight blinds, 6x BB+ vs. loose, calling blinds
•SB: 5x BB minimum to discourage BB calls
•3-Bet Sizing:
•In Position (IP) vs. Open: 4x the open size (e.g., open to $20 → 3-bet to $80)
•Out of Position (OOP) vs. Open: 5x the open size (e.g., open to $20 → 3-bet to $100)

⸻

3. Postflop Strategy Guidelines

With a 50bb stack, postflop play focuses on stack-to-pot ratio (SPR) management and exploiting opponent tendencies.
•SPR Considerations:
•Low SPR (4): Avoid committing without strong holdings
•C-Betting:
•Small c-bets (33–50% pot) on dry boards
•Larger c-bets (50–75% pot) on wet boards
•Turn Play:
•Jam or fold turns, especially if SPR < 2.5
•Avoid giving free cards to drawing hands

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