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Strategy

3-bet in poker

The second raise in a betting round, a re-raise over someone else's opening raise.

The big blind counts as the first bet before the flop, so an opening raise is the second bet and a re-raise over it is the third: a 3-bet. Raising again over that is a 4-bet.

3-betting ranges are usually built in two halves. The value half is hands strong enough to want a bigger pot, big pairs and the best broadways. The bluff half is hands that play badly as calls but hold useful blockers, such as the small suited aces.

Facing a 3-bet, the opener continues with a mix of 4-bets and calls that gets tighter the earlier their position, because an early-position opening range is already strong and the 3-bettor knows it.

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