A 3-bet isn't just a 'strong hand raise.' Learn how to construct value and bluff 3-bet ranges and adapt by position.
Your opponent has open-raised. In many situations, 3-betting (re-raising) is more profitable than simply calling.
Hands that are profitable even when called. They hold sufficient equity against the opponent's range.
| Position | Value 3-Bet Hands |
|---|---|
| vs UTG | QQ+, AKs — very tight |
| vs CO | QQ+, AKs, AKo — slightly wider |
| vs BTN | JJ+, AKs, AKo, AQs — wide |
| vs SB (from BB) | TT+, AQs+, AKo — widest |
Hands that target fold equity. The key is blocker/unblocker effects.
| Situation | Size | Example |
|---|---|---|
| IP (In Position) | ≈3x the open | Open 3bb → 3-bet 9bb |
| OOP (Out of Position) | ≈4x the open | Open 3bb → 3-bet 12bb |
| Opponent's Position | 3-Bet Frequency | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| vs UTG | ≈5% | UTG range is strong, low bluff value |
| vs HJ | ≈7% | Can widen slightly |
| vs CO | ≈9% | CO range is wide, bluffs become profitable |
| vs BTN | ≈11% | BTN opens widest → maximize bluffs |
| vs SB (from BB) | ≈13% | SB opens wide, heads-up = high fold equity |
3-bet pots have a low SPR (typically 2–4). This simplifies postflop strategy.
Effective stack remaining: 100 - 16 = 84, flop pot 35 → SPR ≈ 2.4 (low SPR)
A♥K♠ = Top pair top kicker → Committing at this SPR is fine
Villain's ≈31% c-bet: raise or call → Call, then commit on turn/river
At low SPR, TPTK is profitable to stack off with (at 100bb full stack, SPR would be 5+ → only call-down recommended)
Source: Upswing Poker, GTO Wizard Blog
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