Preflop 3-betting Theory Questions (3 handed pots)
 

Say a slightly LAG player opens in EP or EMP and gets cold-called by a fairly loose player.

Does 3-betting (in position) a bit light have a higher ev here than if the pot were heads up against the opener?

Does 3-betting light here have a higher ev than cold-calling (or folding) with certain types of hands and a lower ev than cold-calling (or folding) with others?

How much more inclined are you to cold-call rather than 3-bet in this spot with marginal hands if you have the button?

Are you more or less inclined to 3-bet if your opponents positions are reversed (i.e. loose players limps and gets raised; assume the loose player will always call the 2 more back to him preflop)?

I have some thoughts about this, but I'm curious to hear what you all think.


Just as a couple of examples of the kinds of situations I'm talking about here:

20/13 opens UTG+1 or UTG+2, 38/10 coldcalls in MP, you have AJo/ATs/KQo/77/66 etc. behind them.
or

20/13 opens in MP and gets cold-called by 38/10 right behind him. You have A8/KJo/KTs/QJ/QTs/JTs/66/55 etc. behind them.

Re: Preflop 3-betting Theory Questions (3 handed pots)
 

I'd be less inclined to 3-bet the 55/66, however I think there's defenitley less EV for threebetting here as it's tougher to outplay two players with a mediocre holding than it is to beat the original LAG, you more likely need to improve.

Re: Preflop 3-betting Theory Questions (3 handed pots)
 

[ QUOTE ]
it's tougher to outplay two players with a mediocre holding

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree. Look at the relative position of the original PFR. Assuming they both check as often will be the case, he has to act after me and before the loose player on the flop and the turn. He'd be less inclined to showdown unimproved big aces and he's forced to checkraise all of his moderate/vulnerable holdings.