RFI Play Against Big Blind

Exploits & Theory · updated 2026-03-08

Situation

• All players before us have folded.
• We raise first in (RFI).
• Most often we play heads-up versus the big blind (BB).
• This is a key and frequent spot (~40% of all situations).

Opponent Types

[[Strong Regular]]

• PFR 27%+, 3-bet 10%+
• River bet >50%
• Defends checks, plays spots through to the end

[[Active Regular]]

• Wide and aggressive preflop: VPIP 26–32, PFR 22–28, active 3-bet 8–12.
• High barrel frequency: flop c-bet 80–95, turn 60–70, river 50–60; capable of triple-barrels.
• Resistant to pressure: does not overfold to 3-bets (45–55), defends flop/turn (fold to c-bet ~45–55), WWSF ~50.

[[Passive Regular]]

• Plays tight-passive, prefers calling instead of raising.
• Rarely bluffs, especially on turn and river.
• Often folds under pressure (3-bets, overbets, check-raises).

[[Medium Regular]]

• PFR ~20–22%, 3-bet ~6–7%
• Often fails to play lines to completion
• EVSF <48%

[[Recreational Player]]

• PFR 45%+, 3-bet 5–10%
• Active: bluffs flop/turn, gives up on river
• Passive: few bluffs, WTSD >50%, often limps

Street Frequencies

• Flop: 85–100% c-bet (depending on limit)
• Turn: ~60%
• River: ~60%, lower at micro stakes

Field tendencies:
- AB7: flop fold 54–56%
- AB20: flop fold 48–54%

Bluff Lines

Bet–Bet

• Flop 33%, turn 80–150%
• Use versus LN 35–41% when there is a draw with 8+ outs
• Avoid versus LN <32%

Bet–Bet–Bet

• Flop 33%, turn 50%, river 85–150%
• Only versus LN >35%
• Good when draws complete or nuts change

Check–Bet–Bet

• Flop check, turn 50%, river 50%
• Works almost always — river bet is mandatory

Check–Check–Bet

• Flop check, turn check, river 44–75%
• Can be used even with trash — opponents often give up pots

Bet–Check–Bet

• Flop 33%, river 85%
• Strong after opponent checks turn

Value Betting

Thin Value

• Top pair weak kicker, two or three pairs
• Versus recreational: flop 33%, turn 50%, river 33%
• Versus medium reg: flop 33%, turn 33–50%, river check or 33%
• Versus strong reg: check or 33%, river only block bet

Strong Value

• Equity edge 20%+
• Versus recreational: three streets — flop 50%, turn 75%, river 75%+
• Versus reg: flop 33%, turn 75%, river pot+

Donk Bets

• Flop donk frequency ~5%
• Raise second pair+
• Call with the rest
• On turn and river: bet 50% after checks

Protected Flop Check

Used versus: - Regulars who attack checks aggressively - Aggressive recreational players

Range composition: - Top pairs with weak kickers - Second/third/fourth pairs - Ace-high, King-high - Drawing hands

Summary

• RFI vs BB is a key EV spot
• Flop c-bet frequency close to 100%
• Fewer bluffs versus calling stations
• Protect flop with check on part of value and draws
• River sizing is critical: smaller size → weaker opponent range

Opponent Profiles

Strong Regular

• PFR: 27%+, 3-bet: 10%+, river c-bet: 50%+
• WTSD: 52–53%+
• Defends checks well

Medium Regular

• PFR: 20–22%, 3-bet: 6–7%
• Fails to play spots through, WTSD <48%
• W$SD <8%

Recreational

• PFR: 45%+, 3-bet: 5–10%
• Active: bluffs flop/turn, river c-bet ~25%
• Passive: calls a lot, WTSD >50%, often limps

Bet Frequencies

• Below ABI 15: near 100% flop c-bet — field overfolds
• AB7: fold ~55%, AB20: ~50% → autoprofitable at 33% bet

Main Bluff Lines

Bet–Bet

• Flop 33%, turn 80–150%
• Versus LN 35–41%
• Use when turn gives 8+ out draw
  Example: 8d7d on K♥–5♦–2♥, turn 6♦ → overbet 120–150%

Bet–Bet–Bet

• Flop 33%, turn 50%, river 85–150% (or 33% when draw completes)
• Versus LN 35–41%
• For folding top pairs with weak kickers

Check–Bet–Bet

• Flop check, turn 50%, river 50%
• Works versus all
• Always bet river

Check–Check–Bet

• Flop check, turn check, river 44–75%
• Rare line — often wins pots

Bet–Check–Bet

• Flop 33%, turn check, river 85%
• Strong: few bluffs in field on river
• Play with trash, turn 4+ pairs into bluffs

Medium and Thin Value

Medium Value (equity +10–20%)

• Top pairs with bad kicker, second/third pairs with top kicker

Versus recreational: - Flop 33%, turn 50%, river 33% - Fold to turn/river check-raise or donk

Versus medium reg: - Flop 33%, turn 33–50%, river check or 33% - Fold to turn check-raise

Versus strong reg: - Flop check or 33%, turn check or 33–75%, river check - Fold to thin river bet unless block size ≤44%

Strong Value (equity >20%)

Versus recreational: - Flop 50%, turn 75%, river 75%+ - Increase sizing on dynamic boards

Versus medium reg: - Flop 33%, turn 75%, river pot or more

Versus strong reg: - No slowplay: flop 33%, turn 75%, river pot+

Donk Bets on Flop

• Frequency ~5%
• Raise second pair+
• Call rest and realize equity
• Bet full range 50% after any check

Protected Flop Check

Use against: - Regulars probing checks often - Aggressive recreational players

Composition: - Top pair weak kicker - Second/third pairs - Ace-high, King-high (KQ, KJ) - All draws

Purpose: control pot size, induce bluffs

Bluff Recommendations

Good bluff boards: - A–K–Q high, A–X with broadway - When flush/straight completes on turn - River: significant nut change

Bad boards: - Paired boards - Missed draws

Do not double bluff river if: - Draw did not complete - Key hands not folded on turn