Three-Bet
Action Level · Beginner Aliases: 3-bet, preflop re-raise
A three-bet is the second raise preflop, made in response to an opening raise.
What is Three-Bet
A three-bet is raising again after someone has already opened preflop. The name counts the big blind as the first bet and the opening raise as the second, so the next raise is the third bet. It can be for value with strong hands, and it can include selected bluffs with blockers and playability. Sizing depends on position, the size of the original raise, how many callers there are and the effective stacks. In position it can usually be smaller; from the blinds, or when callers are already in, it normally needs to be larger. Do not just memorise a multiplier — decide which worse hands you want to call, which hands you want to fold out, and what you will do if you get four-bet.
On the felt
Table6-max cash game
PositionBTN
FlopPreflop
ActionRe-raise to 8.5BB after a 2.5BB open
Example
The cutoff raises to 2.5BB and you make it 8.5BB from the button with A♥K♣. That is a three-bet, aimed at getting value from weaker aces, kings and pocket pairs while cutting down multiway pots.
Common mistakes
- Reading three-bet as one player's third raise. It is the third bet in the whole sequence, and usually only the first re-raise.
- Only three-betting with aces and kings. The range can include value hands and selected bluffs, adjusted for position and opponent.
Related terms
All-in
Going all-in means putting every remaining chip you have into the pot.
Bluff
A bluff is a bet made with a weak hand, aiming to make better hands fold.
Call
Calling means matching the current bet to stay in the hand.
Check
Checking means passing the action without putting in chips when there is no bet to face.
Check-Raise
A check-raise means checking first, then raising after an opponent bets on the same street.
Continuation Bet
A continuation bet is a bet on the flop by the player who raised last before it.