Three-betting (reraising preflop) is essential for winning poker, allowing you to build pots with strong hands, apply pressure to opponents, and balance your range.
Three-Betting for Value: Premium hands (QQ+, AK) should almost always three-bet for value. Against loose openers, widen value three-betting to JJ, TT, and AQ. Position influences value ranges—three-bet wider in position than out of position.
Three-Betting as a Bluff: Bluff three-bet with hands too weak to call but with equity when called. Suited connectors (76s-JTs), suited aces (A2s-A5s), and suited broadways work well. These hands flop favorably and benefit from fold equity.
Polarized vs. Linear Ranges: Against aggressive openers, use polarized three-bet ranges (very strong hands and bluffs, flatting medium strength). Against tight openers, use linear ranges (all hands better than their opening range).
Positional Considerations: Three-bet more frequently in position, where postflop play is easier. From the blinds, tighten three-bet ranges to compensate for positional disadvantage. Button vs. blind battles allow for aggressive three-betting.
Three-Bet Sizing: Standard three-bet sizing is 3x the original raise in position, 4x out of position. Against calling stations, increase sizing to 4-5x to reduce their pot odds. Against frequent folders, decrease sizing to risk less.
Facing Four-Bets: When three-bet bluffs face four-bets, fold all but premium hands. Your three-bet bluffs did their job by applying pressure. Don't turn bluffs into calls or five-bet bluffs without specific reads.
Opponent Adjustments: Against tight players who fold to three-bets frequently, bluff three-bet aggressively. Against loose players who call or four-bet often, three-bet value hands and eliminate bluffs.
Balancing Your Range: Against observant opponents, balance by sometimes flatting premium hands and three-betting medium hands. This balance prevents exploitation. Against recreational players, skip balancing and maximize exploitation.
Merging Ranges: Sometimes three-bet merged ranges containing only value hands of varying strength. This approach works well against opponents who call three-bets too frequently with marginal hands.
Postflop Planning: Before three-betting, plan your postflop strategy. Don't three-bet hands you're uncomfortable playing postflop. Bluff three-bets should have playability or high equity when called.
Common Mistakes: Three-betting too frequently without adjusting to opponents, using consistent sizing across all situations, and three-betting hands without postflop plans.
Responsible Gaming: Aggressive three-betting is exciting but can lead to excessive gambling. If you're three-betting for thrills rather than profit, reassess your motivations. Sound strategy should drive decisions, not adrenaline.