3-Bet in Poker: Types of 3-Bet Ranges and Examples

Introduction

A three-bet is when a player makes another raise after the first bet and then the second one is called a ‘3-bet’ in poker lingo. This guide covers all you need to know about 3 betting in Poker.

What Is a 3-Bet in Poker?

A 3-bet in poker refers to when a player makes the opening bet, the following player makes a raise, and the next following player makes a raise again called a 3-bet or a re-raise. Here is how a 3-bet works:

• Opening Bet: The first player places a bet.
• First Raise: The following player raises that bet.
• Third Action (3-bet): If the third player raises again after the first two actions, that is called a 3-bet.

Players generally 3-bet with strong hands with the aim of revealing their hand strength to their opponents to intimidate them and thereby increase their chances of winning the pot.

Objective

A 3-bet in poker aims to establish superiority, take over betting, and get as much as possible from strong hands.

Types of 3 Bet Ranges

In poker, the range of hands you choose to 3-bet with can impact your overall strategy and success at the tables. The types of 3-bet ranges can vary depending on factors such as the player's style, position, and opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Here are some common types of 3-bet ranges:

Value 3-bet range

This range consists of strong hands you believe are ahead of your opponent's opening range. Value 3-betting hands include premium holdings such as big pocket pairs (for example - AA, KK, QQ), strong broadway hands (AK, AQ), and sometimes strong-suited connectors (89s, TJ suited) depending on the situation. The goal of value 3-betting is to build the pot and extract maximum value from your opponent's weaker holdings.

Bluff 3-bet range

This range consists of hands that are not strong enough to call a raise but have good blockers or potential to improve. Bluff 3-betting hands often include suited connectors and suited gappers (for example - 67s, 89s), suited aces with low kickers (A2s, A3s), and some offsuit broadway hands (KQo, QJo). The purpose of bluff 3-betting is to put pressure on your opponents and win the pot preflop or postflop through aggression.

Polarized 3-bet range

A polarized 3-bet range consists of a combination of very strong hands (value hands) and very weak hands (bluff hands), with few medium-strength hands in between. For example, you might 3-bet AA, KK, and QQ for value and then bluff with hands like suited connectors or suited aces. Polarized 3-betting allows you to put maximum pressure on your opponents by forcing them to make tough decisions.

Merged 3-bet range

A merged 3-bet range includes a mix of value hands, bluff hands, and some medium-strength hands. This range is less polarized than the polarized range and aims to balance aggression while still maintaining some protection against being exploited by observant opponents. Merged 3-betting hands might include strong broadway hands, pocket pairs, and suited connectors.

Exploitative 3-bet range

An exploitative 3-bet range is tailored specifically to exploit weaknesses in your opponents' tendencies. For example, if a particular opponent folds too often to 3-bets, you might widen your 3-bet range to include more bluff hands. Conversely, if an opponent calls too often but doesn't raise much, you might tighten your 3-bet range to include more value hands.

Example of 3-Bet Poker

You are playing in a 1/2 no-limit Hold'em game at your local casino. You are dealt Ace of Spades (A♠) and King of Spades (K♠) in the cutoff position, which is one seat to the right of the dealer button. The player under the gun (UTG) raises the betting to 6. The player on the button folds, and it is your turn to act.

Given your strong hand and position, you decide to 3-bet. You raise to 20. This is your 3-bet, as it is the third bet made in this betting round (the initial raise from UTG is the 1st bet, and your raise is the 2nd bet).

The blinds fold, and the action returns to the UTG player, who now has to decide whether to call, fold, or reraise (4-bet). Your 3-bet puts pressure on the UTG player, especially if they are opening with a wide range of hands. If they fold, you win the pot right there. If they call, you will play the hand out of position against them. If they decide to 4-bet, you will need to reassess the situation and decide whether to continue in the hand based on their aggression and the strength of your hand.

In this example, your objective with the 3-bet is likely a combination of value and isolation. You want to build the pot with your strong hand, but you also want to narrow the field and play against the initial raiser heads-up, where you have a positional advantage.

When to make a 3 bet?

Pot Building

One reason for three-betting is to blow up the pot size if you have a strong hand. By making a big re-raise, the three-better wants opponents to call or re-raise more often to increase the money at stake. This allows them to maximize their potential winnings whenever they believe they are ahead of all other players.

Define Hand Strength

Three betting indicates having a very good hand. It can make opponents fold their weaker hands, shrinking the field and increasing your chances of taking down the pot without any cards being shown.

Isolate Opponents

Another objective of three-betting is to isolate opponents with weaker holdings, particularly those in late position or the blinds. By significantly re-raising, the three-bettor discourages other players from entering the pot, effectively narrowing the field to fewer opponents. This increases the chances of winning the pot uncontested or in a heads-up situation, where the three-bettor's strong hand is more likely to hold up.

Apply Pressure

Three-betting is a form of aggression that pressures opponents and forces them to make tough decisions. Players who consistently three-bet assertively create a dynamic where opponents are less likely to play back at them without strong hands. This allows the three-bettor to control the game's pace and exploit opponents who fold too frequently or make mistakes under pressure.

Balance and Deception

Employing a balanced three-betting range is essential for keeping opponents guessing about the strength of one's hand. While three-bets with premium hands like pocket aces or kings are common for value, mixing in occasional three-bets with strong speculative hands or even bluffs adds an element of deception to one's game. This makes it harder for opponents to accurately assess the strength of the three-bettor's hand based solely on their betting patterns.

Reasons for 3-Betting in Poker

• Build the pot: When you have strong hands, the table dynamics are in your favour, and you are sitting in an advantageous position, you have a good reason to 3-bet and aim to build a big pot.

• Thinning the field: Thinning the field indicates decreasing the number of players in the hand competing for the pot. When you 3-bet, you are putting pressure on the player who initially raised the bet and, at the same time, intimidating the player who might call behind them. This will make players with weak hands fold and with strong hands stay. Now, you only have a few opponents to compete against, thereby increasing your winning chances.

• Isolate weak players: When you are playing against weak or inexperienced players, you should 3-bet and force them to either fold their hands or compete against you. If they call your 3-bet, you can exploit them based on their weaknesses.

• Taking control of the hand: When you are 3-betting, you have seized the opportunity to make your opponent think about your hand strength before making their moves. Even if your 3-bet gets called, you can still win with weaker hands by using strategies like c-betting or aggressive play, as you have an edge over your opponents.

How Much is a 3-Bet in Poker?

There is no specific rule to determine how much a 3-bet size should be in a game of poker. Still, let’s discuss some basic guidelines you can consider while deciding your 3-bet size. The size of a 3-bet can depend on various factors like your stack size, the number of players on the table, and the table dynamics.

To avoid confusion, we will limit our discussion to the blinds instead of using chips as a unit of measurement. As a general rule of thumb, you should never 3-bet more than 33% of your stack size unless you decide to go all-in.

Below is the table, which you can refer to vary your 3-bet size based on your stack size. This basic calculation needs adjustments based on factors like your position on the table, number of opponents, their gameplay style and other factors.

3-Bet vs 4-Bet: What's the Difference?

• When a player re-raises a 3-bet, it is known as a 4-bet. Regarding a 4-bet, it is not important whether the 4-better is the original raiser or not.

• As compared to a 3-bet, a 4-bet is relatively a bolder move. A 4-bet is not seen as frequently as a 3-bet in a poker game.

• The size of a 4-bet can be around 2.5 times the 3-bet size if you are sitting in the position. If you are sitting out of position, then you have to be a bit aggressive and 4-bet around 2.75 to 3 times the 3-bet size.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do bets of 3 mean?

A: In poker, ‘bets of 3’ generally represent a situation where three separate bets are made consecutively in one betting round. Normally, this is initiated by an initial bet followed by a raise and then another raise, representing the third bet in the sequence. The last bet is usually called a three-bet.

What is a 3-bet for value?

A: A 3-bet for value is a strategic move in poker where someone who has played agrees to make a strong re-raise (the third bet), hoping to get more money from his competitors. Unlike bluffing, where he wishes his opponents would fold their cards and give up the pot, making such moves is aimed at building the pot with the objective of eventually winning the showdown.

What is a good 3-bet percentage?

A: In poker, ‘3-bet percentage’ means how often three bets are compared to how many possible times they have had this chance. However, what constitutes a good 3-bet percentage can vary depending on several factors, including but not limited to the style of the player, game format, and table dynamics. Generally speaking, full-ring cash gamers should be content with having solid players running between five and ten percent of overall hands being raised before the flop.

What is a 4-bet in poker?

A: A fourth bet is made in a betting sequence known as the 4-bet. The 4-bet occurs after a player has re-raised an initial raise. It can be used against the three bets as a counter-strategy with a strong hand of value or as a way of bluffing on the opponents. Sizing and timing are key for effective four bets, just like in three-bets.

Conclusion

A 3-bet is mainly used to show strength and take control of the pot. Understanding the different types of 3-bet ranges can help decide when and how to use this tactic effectively. By knowing when to 3-bet and with which hands, you can enhance your game significantly, increasing your winning chances.