As the big and small blinds are placed, players can raise the bet before the flop. After the first player raises the bet, the next person can re-raise it, known as a 3 bet in poker. 

When used correctly, 3-bet in poker can be very powerful, as proven by poker legends such as Phil Ivey and Phil Hellmuth. Learn about this aggressive strategy and how and when to use it to increase your win rate, whether you play poker online or in land-based casinos.

What is a 3 Bet in Poker?

As the name suggests, a 3 bet in poker is the third bet in a poker sequence when a player decides to re-raise the amount after the first player has already raised it before the flop. 

In poker communities, this is considered an aggressive move, sending a specific message to the table. The poker’s 3 bet can either mean that the player has a really strong hand and hopes to collect the bets before the flop or after the flop. 

The other potential scenario is a bluff. Either way, 3-bet in poker is used by top-ranked players to gain an advantage and score some wins. 3-betting is found in almost every poker tutorial, and when used in moderation, it can become a powerful weapon that will help you gather the chips.

Why Use the 3 Bet?

There are multiple reasons why you should use 3-bet. When you re-raise the bet, you will scare several players at your table, who’ll end up folding the cards before the flop. By isolating weak players, your chances of winning the hand increase immediately. 

3-betting forces other players to make a decision without having any concrete information. If they think you’re bluffing, they’ll call, which will sweeten the pot. And if they think you have a strong hand, they will give up, which leaves you fewer players to deal with

Keep in mind that 3-betting is a rare strategy that allows you to pick up the stake pre-flop. You take the big and small blinds and get the money from the person who raised the stakes, assuming they decided to fold.

The 3 bet strategy can’t be used in all types of poker, but it’s pretty common in Texas Hold’em, Omaha or Seven Card Stud, as well as some other variations.

Types of 3 Bet Ranges

3-betting isn’t just re-raising the stakes. There are two main types of poker 3 bets, and here are the main differences:

Merged 3-Betting Range

A merged range is easy to understand. Also known as the depolarised range, the merged range includes 3-betting all the premium hands, as well as the next best ones.

For example, getting hands such as AA, AKs, AQs or AJs would be a premium hand. The other top combinations would be ATs or KTs, etc. Good combinations also include hands such as 99, 88 and 77. 

3-betting, in this instance, gives you an excellent chance to isolate the weak players while putting yourself in a position to have a strong play post-flop.

Polarised 3-Betting Range

A polarised 3-betting range includes betting with premium hands, while including some weaker hands as well. While you’ll 3-bet with KK, you can also 3-bet with K4s, for example.

3-betting with weaker hands will confuse players, not allowing you to figure out your strategy pattern. Remember that the weaker hand has to have some potential after the flop. You’re re-raising the stakes and you don’t want to throw the money away. 

Lastly, the polarised 3-betting range includes an occasional bluff. Be careful with bluffs and use them rarely. Otherwise, you’ll be called out on them and you’ll have no chances to win the money you’ve wagered. 

3-Betting Examples

Let’s take a look at some examples of using 3-bet in poker. 

Example 1: Value 3-Bet

• Scenario: You’re in the cutoff with pocket kings (KK). The player in the early position raises.
• Action: You 3-bet.
• Reason: You have a premium hand and want to build the pot while potentially isolating the initial raiser. Your 3-bet signals strength and can narrow the field, giving you a better chance to win the pot post-flop.

Example 2: Semi-Bluff 3-Bet (Polarised 3-Bet)

• Scenario: You’re on the button with Ace-Five suited (A5s). The player in the middle position raises.
• Action: You 3-bet.
• Reason: You’re leveraging your position and applying pressure with a suited ace, a semi-bluff. Your 3-bet aims to make your opponent fold a weaker hand, giving you a chance to win the pot without seeing a flop.

Example 3: Merged 3-Bet for Deception

• Scenario: You’re in the small blind with pocket sevens (77). The player on the button raises.
• Action: You 3-bet.
• Reason: By 3-betting with a medium-strength hand, you add deception to your game. Opponents may put you on a stronger hand, potentially folding better hands or allowing you to control the pot post-flop.

When to Use and When to Avoid the 3-Bet in Poker

There isn’t a specific rule that tells you when to 3-bet and when to call. In online poker, it might be more challenging to pick up on bluffs as you can’t see the facial expressions of other players and study them. 

When you’re in doubt, remember that the primary reason to three-bet is to gain value. In other words, if you have a strong hand and want to raise the stakes, three-betting is the way to do so.

However, your opponents will adjust over time and start folding, resulting in you not cashing in. That’s why you must include bluffs and semi-bluffs into your 3-bets. You must also be careful here because bluffing too much will cause your opponents to stop respecting you, and they’ll call.

The 3 bet poker strategy is the strongest when used in moderation. Read the table and switch things up. Your main goal is for your opponents to fold and pick up the stake pre-flop or have a solid winning chance post-flop.

3 Tips to Improve Your 3 Bet Poker Strategy

To master the 3-bet poker strategy, you need to practise. But now that you know the basics, read our three easy tips that will help you get good at 3-betting quickly.

Tip #1: Use Both Merged and Polarised Ranges

3 bet in poker only works when you combine both merged and polarised ranges. This makes the strategy dangerous for other players sitting at your table. 

However, there are different ways of exploiting weak 3-bettors. For example, other players can 4-bet, causing you to change your strategy, but this is just one method players use when there’s a 3-bettor at the table and when they want to expose them. 

It is something you have to be aware of, so striking the perfect balance between merged and polarised ranges is a key to success.

Tip #2: Adjust Your Bet Sizing

Most rookie poker players don’t adjust hand sizes. A lot of them bet more when they bluff, hoping their opponents will fold. On the other hand, they raise less when they bet on value and want others to call.

Experienced players can see through these moves quickly. This is why not adjusting your bet sizes can quickly cost you the game.

Tip #3: Don’t 3-Bet Too Much!

3-betting is best used scarcely. You want to use this strategy to win a few extra hands or a lump sum of money. 

If you start over-using it, the opponents will start folding or calling your bluffs, which can quickly cause you to lose your money.

Now that you know all about 3-betting in poker, you can add this strategy to your arsenal and increase the win chances at virtual and real tables!