How to play 98s preflop
3-handed · 100bb · SB 0.4bb · 5% rake, cap 10bb · 84 spots where 98s gets a decision
Opens (raise first in)
| Spot | 98s |
|---|---|
| BTN open (RFI) First to act | Raise 2/2.6/3bb 90.1% · Call 6.4% · Fold 3.6% |
| SB open (RFI) Folded to SB | Raise 2/2.6/3bb 61.4% · Call 30.1% · Fold 8.5% |
Facing an open or a limp
| Spot | 98s |
|---|---|
| BB vs SB limp SB limps | Call 89.3% · Raise 2/2.6/3bb 10.7% |
| BB vs SB open 2bb SB opens 2bb | Call 86.6% · Raise 6bb 13.4% |
| BB vs SB open 2.6bb SB opens 2.6bb | Call 78.5% · Fold 13.8% · Raise 7.8bb 7.7% |
| BB vs SB open 3bb SB opens 3bb | Call 81.1% · Fold 18% · Raise 9bb 0.9% |
| SB vs BTN limp BTN limps | Fold 98% · Raise 2/2.6/3bb 1.9% · Call 0.1% |
| BB vs BTN limp BTN limps | Call 99.9% · Raise 2/2.6/3bb 0.1% |
| BB vs SB limp BTN limps, SB limps | Raise 2/2.6/3bb 96% · Call 4% |
| BB vs SB iso raise 2bb BTN limps, SB isolates to 2bb | Fold 74.6% · Raise 6bb 21.5% · Call 3.9% |
| BB vs SB iso raise 2.6bb BTN limps, SB isolates to 2.6bb | Fold 71.6% · Call 27.6% · Raise 7.8bb 0.8% |
| BB vs SB iso raise 3bb BTN limps, SB isolates to 3bb | Fold 98.5% · Raise 9bb 0.9% · Call 0.6% |
| SB vs BTN open 2bb BTN opens 2bb | Fold 59.1% · Raise 6bb 32.8% · Call 8.1% |
| BB vs BTN open 2bb BTN opens 2bb | Call 93.5% · Raise 6bb 5.7% · Fold 0.8% |
| BB vs SB call BTN opens 2bb, SB calls | Call 74.2% · Fold 25.8% |
| SB vs BTN open 2.6bb BTN opens 2.6bb | Fold 76.9% · Raise 7.8bb 21.8% · Call 1.3% |
| BB vs BTN open 2.6bb BTN opens 2.6bb | Call 91.6% · Fold 7.8% · Raise 7.8bb 0.5% |
| BB vs SB call BTN opens 2.6bb, SB calls | Fold 66.2% · Call 26.2% · Raise 7.8bb 7.6% |
| SB vs BTN open 3bb BTN opens 3bb | Fold 88.8% · Raise 9bb 8.7% · Call 2.5% |
| BB vs BTN open 3bb BTN opens 3bb | Call 82.2% · Fold 10.7% · Raise 9bb 7.2% |
| BB vs SB call BTN opens 3bb, SB calls | Call 49% · Fold 32.6% · Raise 9bb 18.4% |
Facing an isolation raise
| Spot | 98s |
|---|---|
| SB vs BB iso raise 2bb SB limps, BB isolates to 2bb | Call 100% |
| SB vs BB iso raise 2.6bb SB limps, BB isolates to 2.6bb | Call 59.9% · Raise 7.8bb 20.5% · Fold 19.6% |
| SB vs BB iso raise 3bb SB limps, BB isolates to 3bb | Fold 77.1% · Call 13.2% · Raise 9bb 9.7% |
| BTN vs BB iso raise 2bb BTN limps, BB isolates to 2bb | Call 74.1% · Raise 6bb 25.8% · Fold 0.1% |
| BTN vs BB iso raise 2.6bb BTN limps, BB isolates to 2.6bb | Fold 81.9% · Call 17.6% · Raise 7.8bb 0.5% |
| BTN vs BB iso raise 3bb BTN limps, BB isolates to 3bb | Call 40.6% · Fold 33.9% · Raise 9bb 25.5% |
| BTN vs BB iso raise 2bb BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 2bb | Fold 77% · Call 17.8% · Raise 6bb 5.2% |
| SB: BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 2bb, BTN folds BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 2bb, BTN folds | Fold 83.8% · Raise 6bb 11.8% · Call 4.4% |
| SB vs BTN call BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 2bb, BTN calls | Fold 92.1% · Raise 6bb 6.3% · Call 1.6% |
| BTN vs BB iso raise 2.6bb BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 2.6bb | Fold 96.1% · Call 3% · Raise 7.8bb 1% |
| SB: BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 2.6bb, BTN folds BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 2.6bb, BTN folds | Fold 81.1% · Raise 7.8bb 15.6% · Call 3.4% |
| SB vs BTN call BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 2.6bb, BTN calls | Call 51.8% · Fold 34% · Raise 7.8bb 14.2% |
| BTN vs BB iso raise 3bb BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 3bb | Fold 85.9% · Call 13.9% · Raise 9bb 0.2% |
| SB: BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 3bb, BTN folds BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 3bb, BTN folds | Raise 9bb 41.5% · Call 32.1% · Fold 26.4% |
| SB vs BTN call BTN limps, SB limps, BB isolates to 3bb, BTN calls | Call 37.9% · Raise 9bb 32.8% · Fold 29.3% |
| BTN vs SB iso raise 2bb BTN limps, SB isolates to 2bb | Fold 82.3% · Call 16.7% · Raise 6bb 1.1% |
| BTN vs BB call BTN limps, SB isolates to 2bb, BB calls | Call 58.5% · Raise 6bb 25.9% · Fold 15.6% |
| BTN vs SB iso raise 2.6bb BTN limps, SB isolates to 2.6bb | Fold 73.6% · Raise 7.8bb 25.7% · Call 0.6% |
| BTN vs BB call BTN limps, SB isolates to 2.6bb, BB calls | Call 62.6% · Fold 36.9% · Raise 7.8bb 0.5% |
| BTN vs SB iso raise 3bb BTN limps, SB isolates to 3bb | Raise 9bb 73% · Fold 25.6% · Call 1.4% |
| BTN vs BB call BTN limps, SB isolates to 3bb, BB calls | Raise 9bb 69.8% · Fold 29.2% · Call 1% |
Facing a 3-bet
| Spot | 98s |
|---|---|
| BB vs SB 3-bet 6bb SB limps, BB isolates to 2bb, SB 3-bets to 6bb | Fold 59.8% · Call 38.5% · Raise 13.8bb 1.8% |
| BB vs SB 3-bet 7.8bb SB limps, BB isolates to 2.6bb, SB 3-bets to 7.8bb | Call 51.6% · Fold 48.2% · Raise 18bb 0.2% |
| BB vs SB 3-bet 9bb SB limps, BB isolates to 3bb, SB 3-bets to 9bb | Fold 97% · Call 2.5% · Raise 20.6bb 0.5% |
| SB vs BB 3-bet 6bb SB opens 2bb, BB 3-bets to 6bb | Fold 99.2% · Raise 13.8bb 0.6% · Call 0.2% |
| SB vs BB 3-bet 7.8bb SB opens 2.6bb, BB 3-bets to 7.8bb | Fold 62.1% · Call 37.9% |
| SB vs BB 3-bet 9bb SB opens 3bb, BB 3-bets to 9bb | Fold 60.1% · Call 34.7% · Raise 20.6bb 5.1% |
| BB vs BTN 3-bet 9bb BTN limps, BB isolates to 3bb, BTN 3-bets to 9bb | Fold 79.9% · Raise 20.6bb 19.4% · Call 0.7% |
| SB vs BTN 3-bet 6bb BTN limps, SB isolates to 2bb, BTN 3-bets to 6bb | Fold 57.9% · Raise 13.8bb 41.6% · Call 0.6% |
| SB vs BTN 3-bet 7.8bb BTN limps, SB isolates to 2.6bb, BTN 3-bets to 7.8bb | Fold 95.2% · Raise 18bb 2.9% · Call 1.9% |
| BTN vs BB 3-bet 6bb BTN opens 2bb, BB 3-bets to 6bb | Call 61.2% · Raise 13.8bb 21.4% · Fold 17.5% |
| BB vs SB 3-bet 6bb BTN opens 2bb, SB 3-bets to 6bb | Fold 99.5% · Raise 13.8bb 0.5% |
| BTN vs SB 3-bet 6bb BTN opens 2bb, SB 3-bets to 6bb | Call 82.3% · Fold 17% · Raise 13.8bb 0.7% |
| BTN vs BB 3-bet 7.8bb BTN opens 2.6bb, BB 3-bets to 7.8bb | Call 61% · Fold 31.4% · Raise 18bb 7.6% |
| BB vs SB 3-bet 7.8bb BTN opens 2.6bb, SB 3-bets to 7.8bb | Fold 97.4% · Raise 18bb 2.5% |
| BTN vs SB 3-bet 7.8bb BTN opens 2.6bb, SB 3-bets to 7.8bb | Fold 85.4% · Raise 18bb 7.8% · Call 6.8% |
| BTN vs BB 3-bet 9bb BTN opens 3bb, BB 3-bets to 9bb | Fold 55.9% · Call 37.2% · Raise 20.6bb 6.8% |
| BB vs SB 3-bet 9bb BTN opens 3bb, SB 3-bets to 9bb | Fold 95.7% · Call 3.9% · Raise 20.6bb 0.4% |
| BTN vs SB 3-bet 9bb BTN opens 3bb, SB 3-bets to 9bb | Fold 70.6% · Call 28.8% · Raise 20.6bb 0.6% |
Facing a 4-bet
| Spot | 98s |
|---|---|
| SB vs BB 4-bet 18bb SB limps, BB isolates to 2.6bb, SB 3-bets to 7.8bb, BB 4-bets to 18bb | Fold 51.6% · Call 44.8% · All-in 100bb 3.6% |
| SB vs BB 4-bet 20.6bb SB limps, BB isolates to 3bb, SB 3-bets to 9bb, BB 4-bets to 20.6bb | Fold 98.5% · Call 1.1% · All-in 100bb 0.3% |
| BB vs SB 4-bet 13.8bb SB opens 2bb, BB 3-bets to 6bb, SB 4-bets to 13.8bb | Fold 49.2% · Call 40.3% · All-in 100bb 10.5% |
| BB vs SB 4-bet 18bb SB opens 2.6bb, BB 3-bets to 7.8bb, SB 4-bets to 18bb | Fold 38.5% · Call 36.6% · All-in 100bb 24.9% |
| BB vs SB 4-bet 20.6bb SB opens 3bb, BB 3-bets to 9bb, SB 4-bets to 20.6bb | Fold 72.6% · All-in 100bb 23.6% · Call 3.8% |
| BTN vs BB 4-bet 13.8bb BTN limps, BB isolates to 2bb, BTN 3-bets to 6bb, BB 4-bets to 13.8bb | Fold 98.8% · All-in 100bb 1.2% |
| BTN vs BB 4-bet 20.6bb BTN limps, BB isolates to 3bb, BTN 3-bets to 9bb, BB 4-bets to 20.6bb | Fold 52.9% · All-in 100bb 40.4% · Call 6.7% |
| BTN vs SB 4-bet 13.8bb BTN limps, SB isolates to 2bb, BTN 3-bets to 6bb, SB 4-bets to 13.8bb | All-in 100bb 62.9% · Call 28.6% · Fold 8.5% |
| BTN vs SB 4-bet 18bb BTN limps, SB isolates to 2.6bb, BTN 3-bets to 7.8bb, SB 4-bets to 18bb | Fold 93.1% · Call 6.6% · All-in 100bb 0.3% |
| BTN vs SB 4-bet 20.6bb BTN limps, SB isolates to 3bb, BTN 3-bets to 9bb, SB 4-bets to 20.6bb | Fold 68.5% · Call 30.8% · All-in 100bb 0.7% |
| BB vs BTN 4-bet 13.8bb BTN opens 2bb, BB 3-bets to 6bb, BTN 4-bets to 13.8bb | Fold 95.7% · Call 3.2% · All-in 100bb 1.1% |
| SB vs BTN 4-bet 13.8bb BTN opens 2bb, SB 3-bets to 6bb, BTN 4-bets to 13.8bb | Call 59.7% · Fold 37% · All-in 100bb 3.2% |
| BB vs BTN 4-bet 18bb BTN opens 2.6bb, BB 3-bets to 7.8bb, BTN 4-bets to 18bb | Fold 83.3% · All-in 100bb 16.5% · Call 0.2% |
| SB vs BTN 4-bet 18bb BTN opens 2.6bb, SB 3-bets to 7.8bb, BTN 4-bets to 18bb | Fold 93% · All-in 100bb 7% |
| BB vs BTN 4-bet 20.6bb BTN opens 3bb, BB 3-bets to 9bb, BTN 4-bets to 20.6bb | Call 83.2% · Fold 16.8% |
| SB vs BTN 4-bet 20.6bb BTN opens 3bb, SB 3-bets to 9bb, BTN 4-bets to 20.6bb | Fold 85.3% · Call 14.5% · All-in 100bb 0.1% |
Facing a 5-bet or shove
| Spot | 98s |
|---|---|
| SB vs BB all-in SB opens 2bb, BB 3-bets to 6bb, SB 4-bets to 13.8bb, BB goes all-in | Fold 99.2% · Call 0.8% |
| SB vs BB all-in SB opens 3bb, BB 3-bets to 9bb, SB 4-bets to 20.6bb, BB goes all-in | Fold 98.7% · Call 1.3% |
| SB vs BTN all-in BTN limps, SB isolates to 2bb, BTN 3-bets to 6bb, SB 4-bets to 13.8bb, BTN goes all-in | Fold 93.4% · Call 6.6% |
| BTN vs BB all-in BTN opens 2bb, BB 3-bets to 6bb, BTN 4-bets to 13.8bb, BB goes all-in | Fold 99.7% · Call 0.3% |
| BTN vs SB all-in BTN opens 2bb, SB 3-bets to 6bb, BTN 4-bets to 13.8bb, SB goes all-in | Fold 100% |
| BTN vs BB all-in BTN opens 2.6bb, BB 3-bets to 7.8bb, BTN 4-bets to 18bb, BB goes all-in | Fold 98% · Call 2% |
| BTN vs SB all-in BTN opens 2.6bb, SB 3-bets to 7.8bb, BTN 4-bets to 18bb, SB goes all-in | Fold 98% · Call 2% |
| BTN vs BB all-in BTN opens 3bb, BB 3-bets to 9bb, BTN 4-bets to 20.6bb, BB goes all-in | Fold 98.6% · Call 1.4% |
Settings: 3-handed · 100bb · SB 0.4bb · 5% rake, cap 10bb (small blind 0.4bb, big blind 1bb, 100bb stacks, 5% rake capped at 10bb; before the flop, rake only after a 3-bet). Solver: HoldemResources Calculator (HRC). A jackpot fee on bigger pots is not in this solve, so lines that build big pots may be slightly too loose. Bet sizes are the solved ones; a size that is not here plays like the nearest one.
Fits exactly: no game we have checked.
Close: GGPoker regular cash NL5 (rake cap 5bb there, 10bb here).
Close: CoinPoker cash NL5 (rake cap 6bb there, 10bb here; only its tables without antes).
Close: Natural8 regular cash NL5 (rake cap 5bb there, 10bb here).
Close: ACR Poker cash NL5 (rake cap 20bb there, 10bb here; its page does not say whether pots that end before the flop are raked).
Rake sources: ggpoker.com/poker-games/texas-holdem (fetched 2026-10-31); Rush rake and preflop rake confirmed on our own GG exports (972 of 1,034 pots, 210 of 211); regular tables' preflop rule from natural8.com/en/poker/texas-holdem (same network, fetched 2026-10-31); coinpoker.com/games/texas-holdem/ (caps and the preflop rule) and coinpoker.com/guides/poker-rake/ (5%), fetched 2026-10-31; natural8.com/en/poker/texas-holdem (fetched 2026-10-31; caps by players dealt in, 3-bet pots raked before the flop); acrpoker.eu/real-money/poker-rake-calculation/ (fetched 2026-10-31).
Rake: Wrong rake for a 3-handed GG table: this solve caps the rake at 10bb, which is right only for a 6-max hand folded to the button. GG caps an NL5 table with 3 players dealt in at $0.25 (5bb). A solve with GG's cap is queued.