📊 HUD Stats
VPIP
40-70%
Normal: 20-28%
PFR
5-15%
Normal: 16-22%
AF
< 1.5
Normal: 2.5-3.5
WTSD
35-50%
Normal: 24-28%
3bet%
< 3%
Normal: 6-9%
How to Identify
- Limps or calls into nearly every hand
- Prefers check-call even with strong holdings (slow-plays constantly)
- Raises almost only with the nuts — watch for slow-play signals
- Rarely bluffs — a bet usually means a real hand
- Frequently goes to showdown rather than folding
🔍 Traits & Tendencies
Common Behaviors
- Limps in with any two cards
- Constant check-call postflop
- Slow-plays overpairs
- Calls draws regardless of odds
- Never folds to bluffs
What They Don't Do
- Preflop raises (low PFR)
- Value-bet appropriately
- Calculate pot odds
- Bluff (nearly zero)
- Play position-aware poker
⚔️ Exploit Strategy
Preflop Approach
When you spot a fish limping, ISO-raise to build a pot and isolate them. Expand your value range and aggressively isolate limpers.
- ISO Raise: After a fish limps, raise 3-5BB + 1BB per limper. Isolate with AT+, KQ, 88+, etc.
- Wider value range: Play slightly broader hands than usual (AJ, KQ, 77+)
- Skip bluff 3-bets: Bluff 3-bets don't work against fish — avoid them preflop
- Avoid multiway pots: When multiple fish are in the pot, prioritize strong hands
Flop Approach
Bet big with top pair or better. Fish call regardless of bet size, so choose large sizes with value hands.
- Bet sizing: 60-100% pot. Fish tend to call no matter the size
- Reduce bluff c-bets: Fish call everything — bluffs have negative EV
- Respect check-raises: A fish's check-raise = near nuts. Call only with strong hands
- Charge draws: Deny pot odds with large bets against flush and straight draws
Turn / River Approach
Three-street value betting is the default. Always bet strong hands. Fish keep calling, so extract maximum value.
- 3-street value: Bet top pair+ on all three streets
- No bluffs: Fish will call any size thinking "probably a bluff"
- Overbets: Consider pot-sized+ overbets with the nuts — fish call
- Safe turn cards: Even when draws complete, keep betting strong hands
🎯 Exploit Hand Range
Range for ISO-raising and value-betting against fish. Broader than a standard TAG range.
Range Notes
- Raise (red): IP ISO-raise. Strong value hands plus some blockers
- Call (green): Speculative hands — set mining in multiway pots, etc.
- If fish's VPIP is 50%+, broaden ISO range even further
🧭 By Position
| Position | Default Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IP (In Position) | Aggressive ISO raises, 3-street value | Best case — widen range significantly |
| OOP (Out of Position) | ISO only with strong hands | Postflop disadvantage — play conservatively |
| BTN (Button) | Widest ISO range | Highest EV position vs fish |
| BB (Big Blind) | Defense-first, wider call range | OOP makes 3-street extraction harder |
🎮 Cash vs Tournament
Cash Game Notes
- Rebuys allow deep exploitation — table select aggressively
- Seek out tables with fish (table selection is critical)
- Deep stack set mining has high EV against fish
- Maximize extraction before fish leave the table
Tournament Notes
- Stack loss risk applies — limit speculative set-mining near the bubble
- Fish may tighten near the bubble
- Under ICM pressure, prefer stability over deep exploitation
- Adjust value-bet sizing to stack depth
⚠️ Common Mistakes vs Fish
What NOT to Do
- Bluffing: Fish "catch" bluffs — bluff EV is nearly always negative
- Over-slow-playing: High call frequency means bet strong hands immediately
- Calling their check-raises: A fish's check-raise is almost always the nuts — fold is often correct
- Ignoring pot management: Intentionally build pots vs fish
- Worrying about being "read": Fish only look at their own hand