POSTFLOP ARCHETYPE · 9h8h7c

Wet connected flop strategy — 9 8 7 two-tone

Wet middling connected boards — three cards in the 5-J range that are connected (one-gappers or straight runs) and two-suited — are the textures where range equities are flattest. Both the preflop raiser and the caller have plenty of straight draws, two-pair, sets, and made straights in their ranges. On 987 two-tone, the equity gap between BTN and BB is typically less than 1% — closer to 50/50 than almost any other flop class.

Range equity by scenario

ScenarioIP equityOOP equity
BTN open · BB call · SRP · 100bb53.0%47.1%
CO open · BB call · SRP · 100bb50.6%49.5%
SB 3-bet · BTN call · 3BP · 100bb47.1%52.1%

Solver action mixes

BTN open · BB call · SRP · 100bb

BTN c-bet frequency drops to ~45-50% on 987 two-tone — both ranges are equally well-distributed. The bet tree splits between small (with strong made hands wanting calls) and big (polar with sets, two-pair, plus flush-draw/straight-draw semibluffs).

IP action mix

  • Bet 33%: 66.8%
  • Bet 75%: 4.0%
  • Check: 29.2%

Range equity: 53.0%

OOP action mix

  • Check (plan x/r): 91.5%
  • Donk 25%: 2.5%
  • Check-raise plan: 6.0%

Range equity: 47.1%

CO open · BB call · SRP · 100bb

CO's tighter range has less straight-completion power (fewer 98, 87, 65 combos than BTN). Equity edge slips slightly to BB. C-bet drops accordingly.

IP action mix

  • Bet 33%: 65.4%
  • Bet 75%: 4.0%
  • Check: 30.6%

Range equity: 50.6%

OOP action mix

  • Check (plan x/r): 90.5%
  • Donk 25%: 2.9%
  • Check-raise plan: 6.6%

Range equity: 49.5%

SB 3-bet · BTN call · 3BP · 100bb

SB's 3-bet range is overpair-heavy — but overpairs on 987 are vulnerable, not dominant. Expect more check-and-evaluate from SB; the polar big-bet portion focuses on sets and overpairs willing to fast-play.

IP action mix

  • Bet 33%: 63.2%
  • Bet 75%: 4.0%
  • Check: 32.8%

Range equity: 47.1%

OOP action mix

  • Check (plan x/r): 87.4%
  • Donk 25%: 3.4%
  • Check-raise plan: 9.2%

Range equity: 52.1%

Frequently asked

Why does the BTN's c-bet frequency drop so much on wet boards?

Because the equity distribution flattens. On dry boards, the BTN's range is decisively ahead and can bet wide profitably. On 987 two-tone, BB's defending range hits straight draws and made straights almost as often as BTN's — so betting with a marginal hand like KQ or AJ isn't generating fold equity (BB won't fold draws) and isn't betting for thin value (those hands aren't ahead).

What's the right bet size when I do c-bet 987?

Mixed. Use small (33%) with hands that want calls from worse and protection (top pair, overpairs). Use big (75%+) with strong made hands (sets, straights, two-pair) and polar semibluffs (flush draws with overcards). The middle (medium-equity hands) checks.