Understanding a 3-Bet in Poker

We have all been there. It's late at night, you are playing a game of poker, and the stakes are high. You have the best hand in the world—so you think—and the other player decides to raise. The only problem is that they raised too much and now have nothing. Or so you think.

This article will help you understand everything you need to know about 3 bets in poker so that you can try your luck at them.

What is a 3 bet in poker?

A 3-bet is a reraise before and after the bet. It is when a player raises the previous raise by another player. This can happen multiple times, with each player raising the other's raise as often as they want until one of them folds or calls. 

When someone calls a bet, they have put money into the pot and will stay in that hand until it ends. If no one calls a bet, there will be no more betting until someone raises it again.

The 3 bet is when a player raises before the bet, which means they are betting more than the previous player did. But it also means that they could be bluffing, which means they don't have much of a hand.

Raising before the flop is known as opening a two-bet or a pre-flop raise while raising after the flop is called a three-bet or a post-flop raise.

Ranges in 3-bet poker

Strong range

A strong 3-betting range is composed of hands with a high chance of improving to a value hand on the next street. For example, a strong range against an early position raise will contain many suited cards (high cards and pairs) and connectors. 

This is because these hands have reasonable equity when called but also have many ways to improve.

Polarized range

A polarized 3-betting range is composed of very strong hands and very weak hands. Polarized ranges are often used by players who don't want to show their strength on the flop but rather wait until they get more information on later streets before committing to their hand.

Merged range

A merged range is one where your strongest hands are also your weakest hands (and vice versa). For example, if you have AKo in your hand, you would consider 3-betting any two cards if you thought your opponent was weak enough to call with them. The AKo might be considered a "strong" hand for calling raises preflop, but it can also be considered "weak" for making value bets post-flop if the board does not pair or connect when paired (i.e., if

3-bet, betting examples depending on your table position

Three-bet poker is a popular strategy for players who want to play a bigger pot. However, it’s also possible to employ a system where you check-raise your opponent’s 3 bet from out of position. Here are the most common three betting scenarios before moving on to check-raising.

In Position

In position means you have the first opportunity to act after the flop. If your opponent opens with a raise, you can call or raise as much as you like. 

If they check, you can bet or check-call their continuation bet as much as you like. If they put in more chips than you think they should have, this is known as "over-betting," and it’s likely they have a strong hand.

"Out of Position"

When someone is out of position, this means that they have to act last after the flop. They can only call or fold when someone opens the betting after the flop.

They have no choice but to put in chips if someone makes an aggressive raise from their left (or right). The advantage is that if someone checks in on them when they are out of position, they can re-position them.

FAQS

What does a +3 bet mean?

The +3 bet is the second raise in a betting sequence, usually by the player who opened pre-flop (but not always).

What is 3 bet poker? 

A 3 bet is usually made by a player who opened pre-flop (with less than half of the chips in play) and has been raised by an opponent after the flop. 

Why is it called a 3 bet?

It's called a +3 because you raise your opponent by 3 times the big blind. That's the smallest amount you can raise and still be considered legal in most poker rooms.

Conclusion

And there you have everything you need to know about 3 bet poker. You now understand what 3 bet poker is and some of the rules you must follow when dealing 3 bet poker. You also know the 3 ranges of 3 bet poker, like strong, polarized, and merged rangers.

Furthermore, you know the betting examples of 3 bets depending on your sitting position. You also understand why it is called 3-bet poker. These tips will take your 3 bet poker to the next level. I hope you found this article helpful.