Three bet online
Master the online 3-bet. This article explains value and bluff re-raising, optimal sizing, and adjusting your ranges based on position and opponent stats.
Exploiting Opponents with a Balanced Online Poker 3-Betting Strategy ====================================================================
For in-position re-raises, your standard sizing should be precisely 2.5x to 3x the initial raiser's stake. When out of position, immediately increase this to 3.5x to 4x the original raise. This adjustment accounts for the positional disadvantage and forces your opponent to make a more difficult decision with a larger portion of their stack at risk. Failing to properly size your re-raise gives your opponent correct odds to call with a wide variety of speculative hands.
Construct your re-raising range with a clear strategy. A polarized range is optimal against opponents who frequently fold to aggression; it combines top-tier holdings (AA, KK) with speculative bluffs (A5s, 76s). In contrast, a linear range–comprising your best hands down to medium-strength holdings like AQ or 99–is more effective against players who call re-raises too often, as you consistently have an equity advantage post-flop.
Adjust your re-raising frequency based on your opponent's position. An open from an early position (UTG, UTG+1) signals significant strength, demanding you tighten your re-raising selection to the top 4-5% of hands. Against a late position (Cutoff, Button) open, where ranges are wider, you can profitably expand your re-raising selection to as much as 18%, effectively punishing players attempting to steal the blinds with marginal holdings.
Constructing Your 3-Betting Ranges: Value and Bluffs
Construct your in-position reraising frequency with approximately one value hand for every two bluffing hands. Out of position, this ratio shifts closer to 1:1, demanding stronger holdings due to the post-flop disadvantage.
The value portion of your range is straightforward. From early positions, it's narrow: QQ+ and AK. From the cutoff or button against an early position open, expand this to include JJ, TT, and AQs. Against a late position raiser, hands like 99, AJs, and KQs become standard value re-raises.
Select your bluffing candidates based on their blocker effects and post-flop playability. https://spinwiz.pro containing an Ace or a King are prime choices as they reduce the likelihood your opponent holds AA, KK, or AK. For example, A5s-A2s are excellent semi-bluff re-raises because they block premium holdings and can flop nut flushes.
A polarized range consists of your strongest value hands and your best bluffs, with nothing in between. This is typically used from out-of-position spots like the blinds. You would put in the third wager with QQ+ and AK, plus hands like A5s, K9s, or 76s, while just calling with hands like 99, 88, and AJs. This approach simplifies post-flop decisions when you lack position.
A linear, or merged, range is constructed with the top X% of hands you wish to play. This is more common when in position, for instance, on the button versus a cutoff open. Here, you would escalate the action with a continuous spectrum of holdings like 88+, AJs+, KQs, and AQo+. You are not separating hands into value and bluffs but rather playing a condensed, strong selection of hands that perform well with the positional advantage.
Adjust your bluff-to-value ratio based on opponent tendencies. Against a player who folds frequently to the third wager (over 60%), increase the frequency of your bluffing candidates, such as suited connectors (87s, 76s) and suited gappers (T8s, 97s). Conversely, against an opponent who rarely folds, tighten your range significantly, focusing almost exclusively on hands you are willing to get all-in with pre-flop.
Calculating Optimal 3-Bet Sizing In and Out of Position
When acting with positional advantage, a standard re-raise sizing is 2.5x to 3x the initial raiser's investment. For an open to 2.5 big blinds (bb), your new wager would be between 6.25bb and 7.5bb.
When operating from a positional disadvantage, increase the re-raise to 3.5x to 4x the initial open. An open to 2.5bb should be met with a new stake of 8.75bb to 10bb. This larger sizing is designed to discourage callers and compensates for acting first on post-flop streets.
Adjust your calculations when there are callers between the initial raiser and you. For each caller, add 100% of the original raise amount to your intended sizing. If the initial raise was 2.5bb and one player called, your in-position re-raise becomes approximately 10bb (3x initial raise + 1x for the caller). Your out-of-position re-raise would be around 12.5bb (4x initial raise + 1x for the caller).
Effective stack depths modify these baseline calculations. Against shorter stacks (e.g., 40bb), reduce the sizing to maintain a manageable stack-to-pot ratio. Conversely, facing an opponent who rarely folds to aggression, a slightly larger re-raise with your premium holdings can be profitable. Your goal is to manipulate the pot size relative to the remaining stacks.
Adjusting 3-Bet Frequencies Based on Player Types and Table Dynamics
Against a loose-aggressive (LAG) player opening from the cutoff or button, expand your re-raising range to 12-15%, incorporating hands like ATo, KJs, and suited connectors such as 87s. This exploits their wide opening frequency. When facing a 4x wager from them, proceed with the top 3-4% of your range (QQ+, AK) and fold the rest. Your goal is to punish their aggression, not to engage in a variance-heavy war with marginal holdings.
Conversely, tighten your re-raising frequency to 6-8% against a tight-aggressive (TAG) opponent. Construct a polarized range: strictly premium holdings for value (QQ+, AK) and a small number of bluffs like A5s-A2s. This strategy balances your actions, making you difficult to read. Re-raising with medium-strength hands like AJ or 99 against a TAG is a recipe for facing difficult decisions post-flop.
When confronting a loose-passive “calling station,” abandon bluff re-raises entirely. Your range should be purely linear and value-oriented (TT+, AQo+). These opponents rarely fold to a re-raise, so your objective is to build a larger pot with a hand that has a significant equity advantage. Sizing your re-raise larger, up to 4.5x the initial raise when in position, extracts maximum value.
At a passive table where initial raises often take down the pot uncontested, increase your re-raise frequency from all positions, especially the blinds. Exploit this dynamic by re-raising with a wider array of speculative hands like suited gappers (J9s, T8s) and offsuit broadways (KQo, KJo) to steal the dead money. The high fold equity at such a table makes these actions profitable.
At a highly aggressive table with frequent re-raising, narrow your own re-raising range to the top 5-7% of hands. Defend against initial raises more often by flat-calling with hands like 99-JJ and AQs to control the pot size and keep stronger, aggressive players in the hand on your terms. This avoids inflating pots with hands that play poorly against a 4x wager.
Your position relative to the initial raiser dictates range construction. A re-raise from the button can include a wider, more linear set of hands (AJs, KQs, TT) because you guarantee post-flop position. A re-raise from the small or big blind must be more polarized, as you will be out of position. Balance your value holdings (QQ+) with bluffs that have good card removal and playability, like A4s or 76s.
Stack depth modifies your strategy. With effective stacks under 40 big blinds, your re-raising range should consist of hands you are comfortable committing with, removing speculative bluffs. With deep stacks of 150 big blinds or more, you can add hands like small pocket pairs (22-66) and suited connectors to your re-raising arsenal, as their implied odds to hit a monster hand and win a huge pot increase substantially.