K♠J♠ CO vs BTN, preflop, 80 bb
The spot
- You: CO
- Opponent: BTN
- Your hand: K♠J♠
- Board: preflop, no board yet
- Effective stack: 80 bb
- Pot: 5 bb
Folded to hero preflop in 6‑max.
What is the strongest default preflop action?
See the answer
Best play: Raise / 3-bet
Why
Folded to hero, so this is a first-in open from CO: KJs is the hand. KJs is a premium suited broadway, far inside the CO opening range (~25-27%) and one of its strongest holdings: two high cards, a flush draw, and clean straight potential. This is an open-raise for value (a first-in steal/value open), never a fold and never a 3‑bet since no one has raised.
Key idea
KJs is near the top of any late-position opening range; suited broadways combine high-card value with draw equity and are mandatory value opens from the CO.
Common mistake
Overthinking a clear premium open and folding or limping KJs from the CO, leaking value from one of the strongest first-in hands you can hold.