3bet is probably the most confusing concept for a beginner! You may have scratched your head thinking how can a re-raise on the preflop be called a 3bet? Isn’t a re-raise a 2 bet? If you are confused, worry not! We are here to clear every doubt and give you the optimal poker strategy on how to use this powerful 3 bet poker move!
What is a 3Bet?
The 3 bet poker definition can be explained in the simplest possible way as the first re-raise on the preflop. That’s it!
Now, you must be wondering, “How is it a 3bet? Like the 3rd bet on the preflop? So, here’s the logic behind it:
Blinds = First Bet
First Raise = Second Bet
Re-raise = Third Bet or 3 Bet
Blinds are the forced bet that you need to put on the preflop. So, it becomes the 1st bet.
If any player raises, it becomes the 2nd bet.
And, if anyone re-raises, it becomes the 3rd bet.
But what happens if someone re-raises again? Well, it becomes a 4 Bet.
Blinds = First Bet
First Raise = Second Bet
Re-raise = Third Bet or 3 Bet
Re-re-raise = Fourth Bet or 4 Bet
This can go on to 5-bet, 6-bet or more if the other players keep re-raising.
3bet Ranges
Building a hand range starts on the preflop; preflop betting helps you to guess your opponent’s hand ranges and even construct your perceived range. 3 betting from your opponent helps you to accurately predict their hand ranges.
Let’s look at a simple example: You raise from the middle position with 56 off-suit and a loose-passive player calls from the button. However, a tight-passive player 3-bets (re-raises) from the big blind. So, do you call or fold?
Let us review this example with the concepts of Capped and Uncapped Ranges.
Capped Range: A capped range has a few strong hands.
Uncapped Range: An uncapped range has very strong hands.
In the above example, when the loose-passive player calls from the middle position, you can assume that he may not be holding a strong hand. He might be calling with a top 15% – 30% of the hands; thus, his range is capped. However, when a tight-passive player 3bets from the blinds, you can accurately predict that he is holding top 5% to 10% of the hands – AA to TT, broadways, etc. So, his range is uncapped. Here, you can safely fold.
Why is 3 Betting Important in Poker?
As you have probably noted, 3bet is a powerful preflop move that openly suggests that you have a very strong hand. Most of the players usually 3-bet with the top 3% to 10% of the total hands. So, if a player is 3 betting, you need to be very careful. Similarly, your opponents need to be careful if you 3bet.
6-max games mostly go multi-way, which can leave you in a tight spot if any of the opponents improve their hand post-flop. So, the best 3 bet strategy should be to go heads-up on the flop with a big re-raise. Lesser competition means greater chances of winning the pot.
What makes poker a great game is that you can look for value with a monster like AA or KK with a 3-bet or you can bluff with 3bet by representing a monster. Tricky, eh?
Here, two important concepts come into play – Polarized and Depolarized Ranges.
What is a Polarized Range?
What comes to your mind if I say that I have a polarizing opinion on the government’s tax reforms? A polarized opinion means that I either agree or disagree with the tax reforms.
Along the same lines, what does a polarized range mean in poker? It can mean that a player can have either Range A or Range B. He can be having two distinct sets of ranges – he can be holding the absolute nuts, or he is bluffing.
For example, you raise to 2.5X big blind (bb) with A♦ 8♦ from middle position and your opponent 3-bets 5X bb from late position. Both of you check till the turn. The board reads 3♣ 2♥ 9♣ Q♠ A♥ on the river. You bet half the pot but your opponent goes all-in.
What do you think his range is? His 3 bet range can includes an Ace with a better kicker like AK, AJ, AT and A9. He might be holding pocket aces, which seems unlikely as you also have an ace. Or is he bluffing? Although you have the best poker hand, this all-in shove has put you in a tough spot. Due to 3 betting, he was able to represent two different sets of range – The Nuts or Absolute Bluff.
What is a Depolarized Range?
Also called as merged ranges, it is the exact opposite of polarized range where you 3-bet with a very strong hand and continue betting for value when you have the nuts post-flop. The board texture makes a depolarized range look very obvious. If your opponent has a depolarized range and continues raising, you should fold and dare not to bluff.
For example, if you 3-bet with KK and the flop reads K♦ 10♠ 5♠, you should continue betting to extract maximum value. Do not allow your opponent to improve his hand to form a flush on the later streets.
Conclusion
You should always 3bet when you hold a strong hand. This helps you to build the pot or force your opponent to fold and win the pot uncontested. If you don’t 3bet, the pot can go multi-way and your best hand preflop might not be the best hand post-flop. 3betting helps you to maintain your strong perceived range, and you can bluff easily if any of the hands in your range hits the board.
