The 3-bet is a vital part of any winning poker strategy. It forces other players to fold, isolates weak players, and holds the initiative. The 3-bet is also a great way to increase the size of your payouts. In this article, we will discuss how to use the 3-bet in both cash games and tournaments.
A 3-bet in poker is a raise that comes after an initial open-raise from a player. It can be made on any street in the game, but we will primarily focus on preflop 3-bets. In order to 3-bet correctly, you need to understand your opponents and the circumstances of the game.
Generally, you want to be 3-betting for value with mid-range hands that have strong equity against your opponent’s range. This includes high-card hands such as AK and QQ. You also want to avoid 3-betting light with lower suited connectors such as KQ and KJ, as these hands have a lot of fold equity against your opponent’s range.
When you’re 3-betting for value, it’s important to consider the original raiser and the circumstances of the game. For example, if you’re facing an aggressive player who 3-bets frequently, you’ll probably want to make your 3-bets much bigger in an attempt to re-steal the pot. You should also avoid making small 3-bets if you’re facing a loose player, as this will often result in a cold call and give them good odds to hold a strong hand on the flop.
Another important consideration when 3-betting for value is the player’s image and playing tendencies. If you’re facing a tight player who rarely 3-bets, your 3-bet should be much smaller as you don’t want to send the message that you are trying to steal. On the other hand, if you’re facing an aggressive opponent who rarely 3-bets, your 3-bet size can be larger as you will usually have a stronger hand when you make it.
A 3-bet can also be used as a bluff against an opponent’s range. This can be especially effective when you’re against an aggressive opponent who is 3-betting regularly and making mistakes such as calling too many cbets from late position or folding to bluffs.
The best time to bluff is when you can assume that your opponent has a capped range and will only 3-bet with their strongest hands. This is usually against a player who calls the first bet of an open-raise and then 3-bets again with a strong hand, such as AA or KK. By bluffing against this type of player, you can force them to tighten up the hands they play from late position and will often lead to a big post-flop pot.