Defending the Open

What Defending the Open covers

Learn to defend from every seat — HJ, CO, BTN, SB and BB — building a complete fold/call/3-bet response to an open raise position by position, the same way you built your opening ranges.

I am in the CO. Someone opened. What do I do? Learn every seat's defense, one position at a time.

Learning objectives

• Build a complete fold/call/3-bet defense range from HJ, CO, BTN, SB and BB against a real open
• Judge a hand by how it performs against THIS open from THIS seat, not by raw strength alone
• Weigh price, equity realization, position, players behind and stack depth together before continuing

Lessons in this module

Facing an Open

Your cards are only one part of the decision.

Defending as HJ

One seat past first-in — but still facing a tight, strong range.

Defending as CO

Two openers behind you now — and equity realization starts to matter.

Defending as BTN

When you can call and keep position, more hands can survive.

Defending as SB

A discount helps. Being out of position with the big blind behind hurts.

Defending as BB

You get the best price at the table — and some of the hardest postflop situations.

Stack Depth Adjustments

Stack depth changes what your hand is trying to accomplish.

Build Your Defense Range

Stop solving one hand at a time.

Defense Room

Read the open. Read the table. Build the response.

Key takeaway

Defending the Open is 9 lessons and roughly 172 minutes of interactive work. Learn to defend from every seat — HJ, CO, BTN, SB and BB — building a complete fold/call/3-bet response to an open raise position by position, the same way you built your opening ranges.