4th Lesson [Beginner] Responding to 3-bets and 4-bets

The key to responding to a 3-bet is “hand strength”.

Basic Strategy

When facing a 3-bet, only call or 4-bet with premium hands, and fold the rest.

Game situation: Cash game 1/2, stack 100BB+, average opponent skill level

Basic Terminology

• 3-bet: Raising again after someone has raised. Example: I raise $6 → Opponent re-raises to $18 (3-bet)
• 4-bet: Raising again in response to a 3-bet. Example: I raise $6 → Opponent $18 (3-bet) → I re-raise to $50 (4-bet)

Basic Response Rules

When facing a 3-bet

• Call or 4-bet: AA, KK, QQ, AKs (only premium hands)
• Fold: JJ, TT, AQs, KQs, and all other hands

There are three reasons for this:

• A 3-bet is a strong hand signal: When an opponent 3-bets, they usually have a strong hand. Marginal hands like JJ or AQs can be at a disadvantage.
• Pot gets bigger: After a 3-bet, the pot grows significantly, often leading to difficult decisions post-flop. If you don't have a strong hand, it can be unprofitable in the long run.
• Loss of position: If you face a 3-bet out of position, you'll have to play from a disadvantageous spot post-flop.

Situational Responses

1. When the opponent 3-bets frequently

Slightly widen your calling range (add JJ, AQs). If your opponent 3-bets with weaker hands, medium-strength hands might also be profitable. However, it's safer for beginners to still play tight.

2. When facing a 3-bet in position

Slightly widen your calling range (add JJ, TT). Good position makes post-flop play easier, so you can call with a slightly wider range of hands. You can decide after seeing your opponent's action on the flop.

3. When facing a 4-bet

Only call or go all-in with AA, KK, and fold the rest. A 4-bet is a very strong hand signal, so folding QQ or AKs is often more profitable in the long run. Beginners are at high risk of making big mistakes in 4-bet pots.

Thought Process

When facing a 3-bet, try to think in this order:

1. What is my hand? Is it premium?
2. Who is the opponent? Tight or loose?
3. What is my position? In position or out of position?
4. What are the stacks? 100BB+ or 50BB-?
5. Action choice: Call/4-bet if premium, otherwise fold.

Example Hand Analysis

Example 1: Calling a 3-bet with a premium hand

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack: 200BB
Position: Cutoff
Preflop: Hero raises $6 from the Cutoff (QQ), Button 3-bets to $20
Pot: $29 (Hero $6 + Button $20 + Blinds $3)

Thought Process:

1. “What is my hand's strength?”
   → QQ is a premium hand.
2. “How does my hand stack up against their range?”
   → It's a strong hand that can contend with the opponent's 3-bet.
3. “Will my opponent fold enough / do they call often?”
   → A 3-bet is a strong hand signal, but QQ is strong enough. Even though it's in position (Button 3-bet), it's worth calling.

Conclusion: Call $14 (total $20)

Comment: Folding QQ might be too tight. A 4-bet is also possible, but calling is safer for beginners. If overcards (K, A) appear on the flop, play cautiously.

Example 2: Folding with a marginal hand

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack: 180BB
Position: Middle Position
Preflop: Hero raises $6 from Middle Position (AQs), Button 3-bets to $18
Pot: $27 (Hero $6 + Button $18 + Blinds $3)

Thought Process:

1. “What is my hand's strength?”
   → AQs is a strong hand, but it's borderline for countering a 3-bet.
2. “How does my hand stack up against their range?”
   → If the opponent has hands like QQ+, AK, you're in a disadvantageous situation.
3. “Will my opponent fold enough / do they call often?”
   → You're out of position, and a 3-bet is a strong signal. Post-flop play can be difficult.

Conclusion: Fold

Comment: AQs is a good hand, but it's difficult to play out of position in a 3-bet pot. Losing $6 is regrettable, but folding is likely more profitable in the long run.

Example 3: 4-betting with a premium hand

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack: 220BB
Position: Hijack
Preflop: Hero raises $6 from the Hijack (AA), Cutoff 3-bets to $18
Pot: $27 (Hero $6 + Cutoff $18 + Blinds $3)

Thought Process:

1. “What is my hand's strength?”
   → AA is the best premium hand.
2. “How does my hand stack up against their range?”
   → You can 4-bet to get more value.
3. “Will my opponent fold enough / do they call often?”
   → If the opponent 3-bet with hands like QQ, JJ, AK, they might call your 4-bet or go all-in.

Conclusion: 4-bet to $50

Comment: Just calling with AA might lead to a pot that's too small post-flop. 4-bet to build the pot and make your opponent put in more money if they have a strong hand. For beginners, it's safest to only 4-bet with AA and KK.

Example 4: Folding when facing a 4-bet

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack: 200BB
Position: Button
Preflop: UTG raises $6, Hero 3-bets to $18 from the Button (AKs), UTG 4-bets to $55
Pot: $79 (UTG $55 + Hero $18 + Blinds $3 + Hero needs to call an additional $37)

Thought Process:

1. “What is my hand's strength?”
   → AKs is a strong hand, but a 4-bet is a very strong signal.
2. “How does my hand stack up against their range?”
   → The opponent is likely to have AA, KK, in which case you're at a disadvantage.
3. “Will my opponent fold enough / do they call often?”
   → An UTG 4-bet is almost always AA, KK. For beginners, folding is safer.

Conclusion: Fold

Comment: Calling a 4-bet or going all-in with AKs is also possible, but beginners are at high risk of making mistakes in 4-bet pots. Losing $18 is significant, but folding can be the safer choice in the long run.

Key Pattern Summary

Pattern 1: When facing a 3-bet, only call/4-bet with premium hands (AA, KK, QQ, AKs)

Pattern 2: Fold marginal hands (JJ, TT, AQs, etc.) to a 3-bet

Pattern 3: When facing a 4-bet, only call/go all-in with AA, KK, fold the rest

Pattern 4: When facing a 3-bet in position, play slightly wider (add JJ, TT)

Pattern 5: When facing a 3-bet out of position, play tighter

Pattern 6: If the opponent 3-bets frequently, you can slightly expand your calling range

Quiz

Question 1
You raise $6 from the Cutoff (JJ), the Button 3-bets to $18. What should you do?

A) Fold
B) Call
C) 4-bet to $50
D) All-in

Question 2
You raise $6 from Middle Position (AQo), the Hijack 3-bets to $18. What is the correct action?

A) Fold
B) Call
C) 4-bet to $50
D) All-in

Question 3
You raise $6 from the Hijack (KK), the Button 3-bets to $18. What is the best action?

A) Fold
B) Call
C) 4-bet to $50
D) B or C, depending on the situation

Question 4
You 3-bet to $18 from the Button (QQ), UTG 4-bets to $55. What should you do?

A) Fold
B) Call
C) All-in
D) Take more time to think

Question 5
What is the most important factor when responding to a 3-bet?

A) Pot size
B) Hand strength
C) Opponent's tendencies
D) Position

Answers and Explanations

Question 1
Answer: A) Fold

Explanation: JJ is a strong hand, but it's borderline for responding to a 3-bet. For beginners, it's safer to only call with premium hands (QQ+, AKs). While calling might be an option in position, folding is generally recommended.

Question 2
Answer: A) Fold

Explanation: AQo is a strong hand, but it's difficult to play out of position in a 3-bet pot. If the opponent has hands like QQ+, AK, you're at a disadvantage. Folding is likely more profitable in the long run.

Question 3
Answer: D) B or C, depending on the situation

Explanation: KK is a premium hand, so both calling and 4-betting are options. Calling is safer for beginners, but 4-betting for value is also a good choice. Decide based on your opponent's tendencies and your position.

Question 4
Answer: A) Fold

Explanation: A 4-bet is a very strong signal, and even stronger from UTG. Folding QQ is likely more profitable in the long run. For beginners, it's safest to only call a 4-bet with AA and KK.

Question 5
Answer: B) Hand strength

Explanation: The most important factor when responding to a 3-bet is hand strength. If you don't have a premium hand, folding is the default. Position, opponent's tendencies, and pot size are also important, but for beginners, it's safest to prioritize hand strength.