What Is a 3-Bet?
In poker, a 3-bet is the third bet in a sequence: the blinds are the first bet, an open raise is the second bet, and a re-raise is the third — hence "3-bet." A 4-bet is a raise of the 3-bet, and a 5-bet is a raise of the 4-bet (almost always an all-in at typical stack depths).
3-Bet Sizing
| Position | Size | Example |
|---|---|---|
| In position (IP) | 3× the open raise | Open to 3 BB → 3-bet to 9 BB |
| Out of position (OOP) | 4× the open raise | Open to 3 BB → 3-bet to 12 BB |
| Against a 3-bet (4-bet) | 2.2-2.5× the 3-bet | 3-bet to 10 BB → 4-bet to 22-25 BB |
Size larger out of position because you'll play the rest of the hand at a disadvantage. A bigger 3-bet denies the opener favorable implied odds and makes your range harder to play against.
Value 3-Bets vs. Light 3-Bets
Value 3-Bets
You 3-bet for value with hands that are strong enough to want more money in the pot. Classic value 3-bet hands: AA, KK, QQ, AKs, and sometimes JJ, TT, AKo, AQs depending on position and opponent tendencies.
Light 3-Bets
A light 3-bet (or bluff 3-bet) is made with a hand that isn't strong enough to call but has enough playability to be profitable as a bluff. You win when the opponent folds their open raise, which happens frequently.
Good light 3-bet hands: suited aces (A5s, A4s, A3s), suited connectors (76s, 87s), and suited gappers (T8s, J9s). These hands have good equity when called and can make strong disguised hands postflop.
Polarized vs. Linear 3-Bet Ranges
Polarized
A polarized 3-bet range contains your very best hands (for value) and your worst playable hands (as bluffs), skipping the middle. You flat call with medium-strength hands like AJs, KQs, TT. This is the standard approach against opponents who defend well.
Linear
A linear (merged) range 3-bets your best hands plus medium-strength hands, without bluffs. Use this against opponents who call 3-bets too loosely — they won't fold, so you need hands that have equity when called. Linear ranges work well against weak players and in position.
4-Bet and 5-Bet Dynamics
Once the pot is 3-bet, the original raiser must decide: fold, call, or 4-bet. At 100 BB effective stacks:
- 4-bet to ~22 BB: Commits about 22% of your stack. You can still fold to a 5-bet shove.
- 5-bet shove: All-in for 100 BB. At this point you should only have premium hands (AA, KK, sometimes QQ, AKs).
- 4-bet bluffs: Use the same hands you'd light 3-bet with — suited aces are best because they block AA and AK.
Stack Depth Considerations
- Deep stacks (150+ BB): 3-betting gets riskier because implied odds improve for the caller. Tighten your 3-bet bluffing range.
- Standard stacks (100 BB): The ranges discussed above apply at this depth.
- Short stacks (40-60 BB): 3-betting commits a large portion of your stack. Consider going all-in instead of a small 3-bet with medium-strong hands.
- Very short (20 BB): 3-bets are all-in shoves. Use a push/fold strategy.
Common Mistakes
- Never 3-betting light: If you only 3-bet premiums, opponents fold everything except their strongest hands.
- 3-betting too small: A min-3-bet gives your opponent a great price to call. Size it properly.
- Not adjusting to opponents: Against tight players, 3-bet more as bluffs. Against loose callers, 3-bet more for value.
- Flatting too much in the blinds: Flat calling from the SB is almost always a mistake — 3-bet or fold.
Next Steps
- Review position strategy to understand how position affects 3-bet ranges.
- Browse preflop charts to see which hands to open from each position.
- Study bluffing strategy for more on fold equity and semi-bluffs.