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When to 3-bet in cash game poker: value, bluffs and sizing

Re-raising late-position opens, especially in position, wins pots preflop and gets your strong hands paid more.

A♣Q♣
The example hand: Hero in the BTN, NL10 with 100 bb

The idea

A 3-bet is a re-raise over an open. It does two things: it puts more money in with your best hands and wins pots without a fight against players who open too much. Against opens from the cutoff or the button, which are wide ranges, 3-betting often is one of the most profitable plays there is.

Which hands

  • Value: QQ+ and AK always. Against wide late-position opens, also JJ, TT and AQ.
  • Bluffs: hands that block the ones that would continue (an ace cuts down your opponent's AA and AK) and that play well when called: A5s, A4s, KTs. Don't bluff 3-bet with hands you'd rather call with.

Sizing

  • In position: about 3 times the open (to 7.5 bb against 2.5 bb).
  • Out of position (from the blinds): about 4 times, because you'll play the rest of the hand at a disadvantage and you want to get called less.

After the flop

In a 3-bet pot, the remaining stack is small compared with the pot, so small bets (a third of the pot) put on just as much pressure. Keep betting the turn with your strong hands and good draws.

Common mistakes

  • 3-betting only with AA and KK: you become transparent.
  • Calling opens from the blinds with hands that should 3-bet or fold.
  • Bluff 3-betting against players who never fold.

Compare it with your 3-bet and fold to 3-bet numbers.

The example hand, step by step

Watch it in the replayer to see it action by action.

Preflop A♣Q♣

  1. Key Hero on the button with AQ of clubs A strong hand in the best position at the table.
  2. CO raises to 2.5 bb
    Key Cutoff opens The CO opens a wide range: many of its hands can't stand a re-raise.
  3. Hero raises to 7.5 bb
    Good 3-bet to 7.5 bb AQ suited is way ahead of a CO range. In position, about 3 times the open is enough.
  4. CO calls 5 bb
    Key Calls at a disadvantage The CO will play the whole hand out of position in an already big pot.

Flop Q♦8♥3♦

  1. Key Queen, eight and three with two diamonds We flop top pair with the best possible kicker.
  2. Hero bets 5.5 bb (33% of the pot)
    Good Small c-bet In a 3-bet pot a third of the pot is enough: lots of worse hands call (middle pairs, queens with a worse kicker, flush draws).

Turn 2♣

  1. Key Turn: a deuce Nothing changes: we're still way ahead.
  2. Hero bets 18 bb (65% of the pot)
    Good Second value bet Our opponent's pairs and draws still call: we keep betting.
  3. CO folds
    Key Fold We'd have liked to get paid on another street, but the pressure of the 3-bet wins us the pot.

3-betting in position with a strong hand builds a big pot that we win with the initiative and the best hand.

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