A♣4♣ BTN vs BB, preflop, 70 bb
The spot
- You: BTN
- Opponent: BB
- Your hand: A♣4♣
- Board: preflop, no board yet
- Effective stack: 70 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
It is folded to hero on the BTN with A♣4♣, so this is a first-in RFI/steal decision and open-raising is correct. A4s is a premium steal candidate: the BTN range is very wide, the ace blocks the blinds strongest holdings, and the suited wheel ace makes flushes and nut-blocker bluffs, so opening for value and steal beats folding by a wide margin.
Key idea
On the BTN the opening range is enormous; suited aces like A4s open every time for steal value, ace blocker effects, and nut-flush upside.
Common mistake
Folding small suited aces from the BTN out of fear they are dominated, ignoring how wide and profitable the button steal range is.