You’ve been playing poker for a while and you keep hearing the term “3-bet”. What might that be and why is it important? HowtoCasino will gladly explain in an all-embracing guide to three-betting in poker. Review the important steps below.
Understand What 3-Bet Means
People normally use the term “3-bet” while discussing poker strategy. It represents the act of putting in the third bet, which would technically be the second raise. The Big Blind is considered to be the initial bet, so the first raise is the second bet and the second raise is the third bet.
Advanced poker strategies differentiate between the value 3-bet and the light 3-bet. The value 3-bet is the “traditional” one, the same as any other value bet.
You make it when you believe to have the best hand. In this situation, you’d like to invest more money into the pot while you have the advantage.
If you 3-bet light, that means you are betting with a hand that is not that strong/optimal. This takes place before the flop. The light 3-bet is a light bluff, as you wish to get your hands on the pot by making your opponent to fold after your re-raise.
Use 3-Bet Selectively
It is important that 3-betting takes place at opportune moments. This strategy can make your opponents’ decisions more difficult. It is considered that 3-betting with only premium hands (A-A, K-K, Q-Q and A-K) is too conservative.
Furthermore, if you only choose to 3-bet J-J or better, you will quickly become easy to play against. Make sure to include some non-premium hands in your 3-betting range.
When to 3-Bet Light
There are several pieces of advice you can take on the subject of making light 3-bets. It is recommendable to 3-bet light with mid connectors/suited connectors like 6-7, 7-8 and 8-9, or 1 gap suited connectors like 6-8 and 7-9. Play the 3-bet in position. You shouldn’t 3-bet light with hands like K-Q, K-J, Q-J or A-J.
The idea is to win the hand without a showdown. This will not always work, so you want to have a hand that is playable on the flop if your opponents call.
Mind the Sizing
The smallest 3-bet you can make is worth double the open raise. However, you should avoid minimum 3-betting, in general. You will not contribute much to the pot and make it easier for other players to call your 3-bet.
The correct way to go is to re-raise to at least three times the previous raise value if you are in position (knowing that you will act on the last pre-flop).
