DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES OF 3 BET POKER

Knowing about specific situations in poker and how to adopt your strategy beforehand is precisely how poker players improve their game.

The 3 bet in poker is one such move, which is used by skilled players to separate a weak player from whales and strategise accordingly.

Whether you’re playing a game of Texas hold’em between friends, cash games or elite poker tournaments, it’s crucial to know what 3 betting is and how to use it effectively.

If you want to learn the ins and outs of three betting, stick around!

Below, we’ll be explaining everything that has to do with a 3 bet in poker, including the best ranges, positions and tips to start three betting like a veteran.

INTRODUCTION – WHAT IS THREE BETTING IN POKER?

Three betting in poker is all about making the third bet in a sequence of betting during a single round.

Here’s how it works: the first bet in a round (when a player opens) is the initial bet made by a player (the “open raise”).

The second bet is the raise made by another player in response to the initial wager.

When a third player (or even the same player from earlier) makes the next raise after that second bet, this is called a “3-bet.”

Essentially, it’s a first re-raise of the original raise.

3-betting is a common strategy used to build pots, apply pressure on opponents, or indicate a premium hand.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A 3 BET AT THE POKER TABLE?

A 3-bet at the poker table is valuable for several reasons, making it a crucial component of a winning strategy.

Firstly, when you have a great hand, 3-betting allows you to build a larger pot early on, potentially leading to bigger winnings if your hand holds up through the subsequent betting rounds.

When increasing the stakes, you maximise the value of your strong hands, ensuring you get paid off more when you win.

Secondly, a 3-bet can exert significant pressure on your opponents.

When you re-raise, it forces them to make a tough decision: do they continue with their hand, possibly committing more chips to a pot where they might be behind, or do they fold and relinquish their chance to win?

This pressure can cause opponents to make mistakes, such as folding hands that might have had good potential or calling with hands that are likely to be inferior to yours.

Additionally, a 3-bet can be used as a bluff to represent strength, even if you don’t have a premium hand.

This can be particularly effective if you’ve established a tight image, making your opponents more likely to believe you have a strong hand.

Over time, mixing in some 3-bet bluffs can make you more difficult to play against, as it’ll keep your opponents guessing about whether your 3-bets signify genuine strength or an attempt to steal the pot.

Moreover, how your opponents react to a 3-bet can provide valuable information.

If your opponent folds, it suggests they have a range of weak hands or marginal at most. If they call, they might have a medium-strength hand or be willing to gamble.

If they re-raise (4-bet), they likely have a very strong hand.

This information can help you adjust your strategy in real-time, making more informed decisions in later betting rounds.

POSITIONS AND RANGES OF POKER 3-BETS

In poker, the positions and ranges of 3-bets are important concepts to understand for making strategic decisions.

The position refers to where you are seated at the table relative to the dealer, which affects your 3-betting strategy.

For example, 3-betting from an early position (closer to the dealer’s left) generally indicates a stronger hand because there are more players left to act after you.

Conversely, 3-betting from a late position (closer to the dealer) can be done with a wider range of hands, as fewer players are left to act.

When you 3-bet, you can use different types of ranges: a merged range, polarized range, and calling range.

A merged range includes both premium hands and some medium-strength hands, aiming to balance your 3-betting strategy and make your opponents unsure about what hand you have.

For example, you might 3-bet with hands like A-K, A-Q, and medium pairs like 7-7 or 8-8. This strategy is effective when you want to show a variety of strong hands, making it harder for opponents to read you.

A polarized range, on the other hand, consists of either very strong hands or bluffs.

With a polarized range, you might 3-bet with premium hands like A-A, K-K, and A-K, along with some weaker hands that you use as bluffs, such as suited connectors like 5-6 suited or weaker Aces like A-5 suited.

This strategy aims to confuse opponents by mixing in bluffs with your strongest hands, making it challenging for them to determine if your 3-bet is genuine or a bluff.

Your calling range refers to the hands you would simply call a bet with, instead of 3-betting.

This range typically includes hands that are strong enough to play but not strong enough to 3-bet, like medium pairs or suited connectors.

By having a balanced calling range, you can see flops with hands that have good potential without committing too many chips early.

Finally, your continuing range represents the hands you would continue playing with after facing a 3-bet.

If you initially open raise and then face a 3-bet, this range would include hands you either call or 4-bet (raise again) with, such as strong pairs, A-K, or hands with good post-flop potential.

EXAMPLES

In this section, we’ll have a look at how positions and ranges affect your strategy for a 3 bet in poker.

For the purposes of abbreviation, we’ll label the merged range as MR, the calling range as CR, and the continuing range as CnR.

EARLY POSITION

• MR: In early position, you’ll generally want a strong, merged range because there are many players left to act after you. Example hands might include A-A, K-K, Q-Q, J-J, and A-K.
• CR: You might call with hands like 9-9, 10-10, A-Q suited, and K-Q suited. These hands are strong but not necessarily strong enough to 3-bet in this position.
• CnR: If you open raise and face a 3-bet, you would continue with A-A, K-K, Q-Q, and A-K. You might also call with hands like J-J and 10-10, depending on the size of the 3-bet and the opponent.

MIDDLE POSITION

• MR: Here, you can start to include a slightly wider range of strong hands for 3-betting, such as A-A, K-K, Q-Q, J-J, 10-10, and A-K. You might also add A-Q suited.
• CR: Hands like 8-8, 9-9, K-Q suited, A-J suited, and A-10 suited can be in your calling range.
• CnR: After an open raise and facing a 3-bet, you would likely continue with A-A, K-K, Q-Q, A-K, and possibly J-J and 10-10, depending on the situation.

LATE POSITION

• MR: In late positions, you can 3-bet with an even wider range, including A-A, K-K, Q-Q, J-J, 10-10, 9-9, A-K, A-Q suited, and A-J suited.
• Polarized Range: You might also incorporate a polarized range here, adding bluffs like 6-5 suited, 7-6 suited, and A-5 suited. This keeps opponents unsure whether you have a premium hand or a bluff.
• CR: Hands like 7-7, 8-8, K-J suited, Q-J suited, and 10-9 suited can be viable.
• CnR: When facing a 3-bet, you would continue with A-A, K-K, Q-Q, J-J, 10-10, A-K, and possibly A-Q suited, depending on the opponent and the 3-bet size.

WHEN TO USE 3 BETS IN POKER?

Depending on the game dynamics, the three bet in poker can be a powerful tool to get the most of your hand.

Here are some good moments to try a three bet in poker.

• When you have a strong hand: One of the primary times to use a 3-bet is when you have a very strong hand, such as pocket Aces (A-A), Kings (K-K), or Ace-King (A-K). By 3-betting, you can start building pots early on and extract as much value as possible from your hand. Also, a 3-bet can help you isolate one opponent, making it easier to manage the hand post-flop.
• To apply pressure: Another reason to 3-bet in poker is to put pressure on your opponents. By re-raising, you force them to make tough decisions, often leading them to fold weaker hands. This can be especially effective against players who open-raise with a wide range of hands but are likely to fold to a 3-bet unless they have a strong hand themselves.
• To bluff: 3-betting can also be a valuable tool for bluffing or semi-bluffing. When you have a hand with good potential but isn’t strong yet, like a suited connector hand (e.g., 6-5 suited), a 3-bet can disguise your hand’s true strength. If your opponents start folding, you win the pot immediately. If they call, you still have the chance to improve your hand on the flop.
• To gain information: Using a 3-bet can also provide valuable information about your opponents’ hands. If your opponent calls or re-raise the 4-bet, it can indicate they have a powerful hand. If your opponent folds, it shows they likely had a weaker hand. This information can help you make better decisions in future betting rounds.
• To establish a table image: With 3 betting, you can create an aggressive image, which can cause opponents to play more cautiously against you. Conversely, if you rarely 3-bet, your 3-bets will carry more weight, as opponents will likely assume you have premium hands.

TIPS ON HOW TO PLAY 3 BETS IN POKER

Although a well-timed three bet in poker can prove to be advantageous, it’s crucial to get the timing right.

The best way to have good odds of making your 3 betting work is to pay attention to the following tips and tricks from EnergyCasino!

• Evaluate Your Position: Only 3-bet with strong hands in early positions. In late positions, you can widen your 3-betting range.
• Consider Opponent’s Tendencies: 3-bet more often against loose players who raise with a wide range of hands. Be more selective against tight players. If an opponent checks and rarely, if ever, makes a raise or re-raise, 3 betting might not win you many pots against that opponent’s style of play.
• Use Bet Sizing: Typically, your 3-bet should be three to four times the size of the first raise. Adjust your bet sizing based on your position and the table dynamics.
• Pay Attention to Stack Sizes: Ensure your 3-bet sizing considers the effective stack sizes. Avoid 3-betting with hands that commit too much of your stack unless you’re willing to go all-in.
• Observe Table Dynamics: Be aware of how often others at the table are folding to 3-bets. Adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Think Ahead: Have a plan for how you’ll proceed if your 3-bet is called. Consider how your hand will play post-flop.
• Be Prepared to Fold: If you face a 4-bet (a re-raise to your 3-bet), be ready to fold weaker hands unless you have a very strong hand or a good read on your opponent.
• Utilize Position Post-Flop: If you’re in position after your 3-bet is called, use your positional advantage to control the pot and apply pressure.
• Adapt to the Opponent: Adjust your 3-betting frequency and range based on the specific opponent and their likely reactions.
• Stay Disciplined: Avoid 3-betting too frequently without strong hands, as this can make you predictable and exploitable.
• Use 3-Bets to Isolate Weak Players: Target weak players with your 3-bets to get heads-up and exploit the post-flop weaknesses

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIRD BET AND FOURTH BET?

In poker, the third and fourth bets refer to specific stages of betting within a single round, each with distinct implications.

When it comes to the three bet, here’s the poker sequence that unfolds:

1. First Bet: A player makes the initial wager or initial raise.
2. Second Wager: Another player re-raises the initial wager.
3. 3-Bet: A third player (or the initial bettor) re-raises the second wager.

Now let’s check out the fourth bet, which comes after the three-bet.

1. First Wager: The initial wager or original raise.
2. Second Wager: A re-raise by another player.
3. 3-Bet: A re-raise following the second wager.
4. Fourth Bet (4-Bet): Another re-raise after the three-bet.

Overall, there are three main differences between the three bet and fourth bet.

• Frequency: 3-bets occur more frequently than 4-bets since fewer players are willing to try re-raises a second time without a powerful hand.
• Strength of Hands: A 4-bet generally represents a stronger hand or a higher level of aggression compared to a 3-bet.
• Pot Size: 4-bets build the pot even more significantly, leading to larger pots and higher stakes.

HOW IS A 3 BET IN POKER DIFFERENT FROM 3 BET LIGHT?

A three bet bet light refers to the situation when a player re-raises with a weaker hand not necessarily because they have the best cards, but as a strategic move to exploit their opponents.

This tactic is used to create pressure and force opponents to fold, even if the hand owned by the one player isn’t particularly strong.

For instance, you might 3-bet light with hands like a suited connector (e.g., 6-5 suited) or weaker Aces (e.g., A-5 suited).

The idea is to bluff and take advantage of situations where you think your opponent might fold to your aggression.

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