Three Theorems From 2+2

I've played a lot of hands recently, and during my last session ran several bluffs against a few of the best regs (who are both 2+2 posters) at $50NL. I should probably post a few of the hands, and might in the future, but as I don't have the histories available to me at the moment I'll instead discuss a few theorems that have become 2+2 gospel over the last couple years.

Aside from my comments which are in italics, the below is copied and pasted from Cry Me A River's thread in the 2+2 Micro Stakes FR forum. Here we go!

Zeebo's Theorem - Nobody ever folded a full house.

Reasoning: Nobody is good enough to fold a monster. Most players aren't even good enough to fold a hand that looks like a monster but really isn't.

Application: There are two basic applications to this theory. The first is that if you put your opponent on a full house and you can beat them, don't be afraid to overbet/push the river. This is particularly true when there is three of a kind on the board. Players will call with an incredible range of full houses in that spot. It is true that some villain may fold 22 on a board with three aces. However, you have no way of knowing if they have 22 or TT so go ahead and felt them. You are losing value if you don't. And sometimes they'll call with 22 anyway.

The second thing to realize is to never try to bluff anyone off a full house. If you have 22 on a board with three Aces, don't expect to be able to push 66 off his hand.

This theorem also generally applies to any monster over monster situation, from straight flush over quads/FH/nut flush down to set over set.

Reliability: This is the most reliable theorem. Nearly 100%. Somebody will post and argue that it is actually 100%.

Prof Awesome: I'm sure there are some spots where I should have "value shoved" rivers based on this theorem, where villain likely has a FH and I instead make a smaller value bet with the nut FH/quads. These situations don't come around terribly often however, but I need to keep this in mind for the future.


Clarkmeister's Theorem - When you are OOP HU on the river and a 4-flush comes always bet.

Reasoning: Simply put, a 4-flush is an ideal bluffing situation.

Application: Bet a lot of 4-flushes, particularly HU, OOP on the river. You will get a ton of folds. Most everyone is folding non-flush hands (that beat you) and small flushes.

Reliability: Yes, sometimes villain has the nut flush or calls with the K-high flush. Nothing you can do there. But over the long haul this is a VERY profitable spot to bluff.

Keep in mind though, you ARE turning your hand into a bluff. If you have a hand you don't want to turn into a bluff (very villain dependent) like top set or the K-high flush then check/calling can be fine.

Prof Awesome: This is something I need to do a heck of a lot more. However, this should only be run against decent players - if someone is a complete calling station they may well call you with two-pair type hands every time, and that isn't what we want.


BelugaWhale Theorem - When you are the preflop raiser and your turn bet is raised or check/raise, it is time to re-evaluate one pair hands.

Reasoning: In raised pots, most players will just call down with one pair (be it pocket pair or top pair) type hands as well as draws. The turn is where most players who flopped a monster stop slowplaying and try to build pot. Or, they raise if they hit their draw.

Application: A raise on the turn is a signal to re-evaluate where you are at. It is not and automatic fold but you need to consider if villain has a monster or just hit his draw.

Reliability: Against fish and bad players in general, with the exception sometimes of LAGs and maniacs, this is a VERY reliably theorem. However, it is also an extremely popular and well known theorem, perhaps the best known. A lot of good players, particularly 2+2 players can try to exploit this theorem, especially by floating. So depending on the player (a decent player who is ALSO capable of making a play) you may need to discount this theorem considerably.

Prof Awesome: Against solid TAG/LAG regulars, I need to be bluffing the turn more, and have an easier time getting away from one-pair type hands when facing turn aggression. Against very good thinking players, I need to have the guts to make turn hero calls when appropriate. I had one such chance during a session last night, where I timed down and folded, though my read was that the villain (a very good reg) was bluff shoving a missed AK.