Three-Bet

What Is a Three-Bet?

A three-bet (3-bet) is the second raise in a preflop betting sequence: a re-raise over the initial open raise. The term comes from limit poker, where the blind is the first bet, the open is the second, and the re-raise is the third. In no-limit hold'em, 3-betting builds larger pots with strong hands, generates fold equity against weaker holdings, takes the initiative into the flop, and denies opponents a cheap look at the board with speculative hands.

Value 3-Bets vs. Bluff 3-Bets

A balanced 3-betting range contains both value hands and bluffs. Value 3-bets include premium pairs (AA, KK, QQ, JJ) and the strongest broadway hands (AKs, AKo, AQs). Bluff 3-bets use hands that benefit from fold equity and still play well when called: suited aces such as A5s and A4s, which block the opponent's aces and can make the nut flush or a wheel, and suited connectors when stacks are deep. Which hands fall on which side depends on position, stack depth, and the opener's range, which is why the exact combos come from a solved range rather than a rule of thumb.

Polarised and Linear 3-Betting Ranges

Against an opponent who folds too much to 3-bets, a polarised range (premiums plus bluffs, nothing in between) prints money, because the bluffs pick up folds and the premiums get paid. Against an opponent who calls 3-bets often, a linear range (the top of your range with no pure bluffs) is better, because the medium hands you 3-bet still have equity when called. Out of position, especially from the blinds, 3-betting linear and calling less is common, because calling out of position with medium hands realises equity poorly.

3-Bet Sizing Guidelines

• In position (button vs. cutoff, for example): about 3 times the open, leveraging the positional advantage postflop.
• Out of position (big blind vs. button): 3.5 to 4.5 times the open, to compensate for the positional disadvantage and deny equity to speculative hands.
• Against a raise and one or more callers (a squeeze): add roughly one open size per caller to account for the dead money.

Responding to a 3-Bet

Facing a 3-bet, the opener has three options: 4-bet, call, or fold. The premiums 4-bet for value. Hands with good playability call, especially in position. A small group of hands 4-bets as a bluff, usually suited aces and kings that block the 3-bettor's premiums. Folding a large share of the opening range is normal and correct; the opener's mistake is usually defending too wide, not too tight. Stack depth changes everything here: at 100bb a 4-bet leaves room to fold to a shove, while at 40bb a 4-bet is effectively a commitment.

Practical Example

The cutoff opens to 2.5bb and you are on the button with T♠ T♣. You 3-bet to 7.5bb. Tens play far better heads-up in a 3-bet pot than multiway in a single-raised pot: the 3-bet narrows the field, builds a pot where an overpair on a low board commits comfortably, and gives you the initiative. If the cutoff 4-bets, tens become a call or a fold depending on stack depth and the cutoff's 4-betting range, which is exactly the kind of spot a solved range settles.

Common Mistakes

• 3-betting only premiums. Observant opponents fold everything but their best hands and your 3-bets stop getting paid.
• 3-betting bluffs with no playability. Offsuit junk that cannot make a flush or a straight has nothing when called.
• Ignoring position. The same hand can be a 3-bet on the button and a fold in the small blind.
• Ignoring stack depth. 3-bet sizes and ranges at 30bb look nothing like 100bb.

Mastering 3-Bet Strategy

The beginner explainer what is a 3-bet in poker? covers the idea from the ground up. For advanced 3-bet and 4-bet dynamics, read 3-bet and 4-bet ranges that print money or the Preflop Strategy Masterclass. GTO Ranges+ holds the solved 3-bet, call, and 4-bet ranges for every positional matchup, and Preflop+ drills them until they are automatic.