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Appearing in an average of 5-10% of hands and used primarily to exploit one's position in a hand is the 3bet. Formerly a tactic seen almost exclusively in online NL play, 3bets are now used widely across all ranges of limit and no limit play online and off.
Learning what a 3bet is, how it's used, and how to recognize when and how it may be used against you, can help you take down more pots and get bluffed less frequently out of pots that you could have won.
What is 3-Betting?
3Betting is essentially placing the second raise (aka the third bet) in a betting round.
- Before the flop, a 3bet is the second raise - because the big blind is considered the first bet, so one player raises the big blind and then another player raises that bet, thereby placing a 3bet, or 3betting
- After the flop, a 3bet is the third bet - player 1 bets, player 2 raises, player 3 raises again with the 3bet
It's that simple. At least understanding the definition of 3betting. Making optimal use of this tactic to your chip stack's ultimate advantage, however, is a bit more complicated.
Why 3Bet?
The value of 3betting is first and foremost in the impression it makes on the other players. That is because, traditionally, a person would only 3bet if they were holding a really good hand. There is, of course, always the chance that, knowing this, a player will 3bet as a way of bluffing and trying to steal the pot, but this occurs far less often as it is a high-risk bluff and can easily backfire, scaring all the other players out.
Therefore, unless you are holding a stellar hand yourself, it is usually wise to fold to a 3bet. On the other hand, if you've pegged your opponent as a frequent bluffer and loose player, and your chip stack is considerably larger than them, by all means try calling their bluff. You can even 4bet them (i.e. raise their 3bet) and see how committed they really are to that hand and that bet.
Incidentally, there's a name for 3betting when you don't have a fantastic hand, and that is: 3betting light, considered akin to a bluff.
3Betting when you're in position, however, can be an excellent way of putting loose players prone to raising on tilt because it takes away the initiative they would gain had they placed the 3bet before you. More, the value to them of calling your 3bet is extremely low because of the wide range in the betting round (that is, three players ahead of them already putting meat in the game.)
And if you get caught 3betting, it only means that in future betting rounds your opponents will be more likely to call your bets and raises with weaker hands of their own, believing you're simply 3betting lightly again.
So to summarize, the potential benefits of 3betting are:
- The wide opening range in bets scares loose players into folding
- Placing a 3bet has potential added value while facing a 3bet from an opponent has potential negative value
- Taking the initiative yourself subverts opponents from 3betting you and having that advantage
- Everyone is likely to think your next move is going to be to go all-in
Also keep in mind, when you 3bet light preflop, even if you don't make your hand on the flop, you are still in the position to take down the pot with a continuation bet on the postflop betting round (a continuation bet being a second consecutive presentation of strength, which generally demonstrates an even stronger or improved upon hand)
The ultimate goal of most 3betting, and the only real reason to do it, is to get your opponent to fold. That said, let's move on to the best times and places in which to 3bet.
When to 3Bet?
So now that you know what 3betting is and why you might want to do it, when should you do it, and in what position?
The four best times to 3bet are:
- When you're in position (it's much riskier out of position, and this is in fact the best time to 3bet and the most common time in which players do)
- With mid-range connectors (e.g. 7-8) or 1-gap suited connectors (e.g. 6S-8S)
- Against players raising from last position (much more likely a player raising in early position has a stronger hand and a player raising from last position is bluffing/trying to steal the pot)
- Against tight but aggressive opponents (who are more prone to fold when put on the defensive)
In short, 3betting is a way to beat aggressive players at their own game, by taking the initiative back into your own literally.
Read other articles from our Advanced Poker Strategy section.
Posted by M.B |
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