3-Bet
A 3-bet is the first re-raise in a betting round. Preflop it's the re-raise of an open raise, because the big blind counts as the first bet.
A 3-bet is the third bet in a betting sequence, which in practice means the first re-raise. The name comes from counting bets. Preflop, the big blind is the first bet, the open raise is the second bet, and a re-raise of that open is the third bet: the 3-bet. Postflop, the count starts fresh: a bet is the first, a raise is the second, and a re-raise is a 3-bet.
How the counting works preflop
| Action | Bet number | Example at 1/2 blinds |
|---|---|---|
| Big blind posts | 1-bet | 2 |
| Open raise | 2-bet | Raise to 6 |
| Re-raise | 3-bet | Raise to 18 |
| Re-re-raise | 4-bet | Raise to about 40 |
Why players 3-bet
- Value: premium hands like A♠ A♣, K♥ K♦, Q♣ Q♠ and A♦ K♦ want to build a bigger pot while they are likely ahead.
- Bluff or semi-bluff: hands like A♥ 5♥ or K♠ 9♠ can 3-bet as a bluff. They have blockers (an ace makes it less likely the opener has A-A or A-K) and decent playability if called.
- Initiative and isolation: 3-betting can push out players behind you and lets you lead the action on the flop.
Balancing value hands with some bluffs makes your 3-bets much harder to play against than a range that only contains aces and kings.
Sizing a 3-bet
A common rule of thumb is about three times the open when you are in position and about three and a half to four times when you are out of position, because you want to discourage calls when you will act first after the flop. With 100 big blind stacks, if the cutoff opens to 2.5 big blinds, a button 3-bet might be around 7.5 to 8 big blinds, while a big blind 3-bet might be around 10 to 11.
Example hand
Blinds 1/2, everyone has 200 chips. The cutoff opens to 5, and you are on the button with A♣ Q♣. Calling is fine, but a 3-bet to 15 is attractive: you dominate many of the hands the cutoff opens, you are in position, and the blinds behind you are more likely to fold. If the cutoff calls, the pot is 33 (15 + 15 + the 3 chips from the blinds) and you see a flop with the betting lead. If the cutoff 4-bets to around 40, you must decide whether A-Q is strong enough to continue against their 4-betting range, which is usually tight.
Common mistakes
- Only 3-betting with A-A and K-K, which makes you predictable.
- 3-betting too small out of position, giving the opener a great price to call.
- 3-bet bluffing players who never fold.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called a 3-bet and not a 2-bet?
Preflop the big blind counts as the first bet and the open raise as the second, so the first re-raise is the third bet.
How big should a 3-bet be?
A common guideline is about 3 times the open raise in position and about 3.5 to 4 times out of position.
What hands should I 3-bet?
Strong value hands such as big pairs and A-K, plus some bluffs that have blockers and playability, like suited aces. Exact ranges depend on position and opponents.
Related poker terms
- 4-Bet — A 4-bet is a re-raise of a 3-bet. Preflop it's the raise after an open raise has been re-raised, and it usually signals a very strong range.
- Raise — A raise increases the current bet so opponents must add more chips to continue. In No-Limit it must be at least the size of the last bet or raise.
- Range — A range is the full set of hands a player could hold in a given spot. Thinking in ranges instead of single hands is the core of modern poker strategy.
- Bluff — A bluff is a bet or raise with a weak hand that aims to make better hands fold. It wins when your opponent gives up the pot.
- Position — Position in poker is where you sit relative to the button, which decides when you act. Acting later gives you more information and more control.