Lesson 29 [Intermediate] Building a 3-bet Range

3-bet ranges are a balance of value and bluff. If you only 3-bet strong hands, opponents will easily fold, and if you only mix in bluffs, you'll be called/4-bet.

Basic Strategy

Construct your 3-bet range with a ratio of value (70%) to bluff (30%).

Basic Assumptions: 100BB cash game, 6-max, average opponent, in position

There are three key components to building a 3-bet range:

• Value Core: QQ+, AK (hands with high absolute strength)
• Value Expansion: JJ, TT, AQs (add depending on position and opponent)
• Bluff Selection: Suited connectors (98s, 87s), suited Ax (A5s, A4s), etc., hands with good playability

There are three reasons for this composition:

• A high proportion of value ensures profitability when the opponent calls instead of folding.
• Mixing in bluffs prevents opponents from only folding premium hands.
• Bluff hands should still be playable on the flop even if called.

Practical Application

1. When the opponent open-raises too often

Widen your 3-bet range (expand bluff proportion to 40%, add JJ, TT to value). Since the opponent's range is wide, applying pressure with a 3-bet will often lead to folds.

2. When the opponent folds too often to 3-bets

Increase the bluff proportion (value 60%, bluff 40%). If the opponent only calls/4-bets with QQ+, AK, increasing bluff frequency will still be highly profitable.

3. When 3-betting out of position

Tighten your range (value 80%, bluff 20%, value only QQ+, AK). The positional disadvantage is significant, so you must compensate with hand strength.

4. When the opponent 4-bets frequently

Reduce bluffs and increase value (value 80%, bluff 20%). If the 4-bet frequency is high, the profitability of bluffs decreases, so adjust towards stronger hands.

Thought Framework

When deciding whether to 3-bet, it's good to approach it with this framework:

1. How wide is the opponent's open-raise range? (Tight vs. Loose)
2. What is my position? (In position vs. Out of position)
3. Is my hand for value or bluff? (QQ+ vs. suited connector)
4. How does the opponent react to 3-bets? (Fold frequency, 4-bet frequency)
5. Is my 3-bet range balanced in terms of value/bluff ratio?

Example Hand Analysis

Example 1: In-position Value 3-bet

Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Button
Preflop: Middle Position raises $6, Hero receives Q♠Q♦ on the Button
Pot: $9

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → QQ is a premium hand belonging to the value core. It beats most of the Middle Position's raise range.
2. What role does my hand play within my range?
   → A value 3-bet hand. Being on the Button, I maintain positional advantage post-flop.
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call often?
   → The opponent will likely fold hands like AJ, KQ, and small pairs. Even if they call, I can play with positional advantage.

Conclusion: 3-bet $18 (3x)

Comment: QQ is a classic value 3-bet hand. Just calling risks creating a multiway pot and can make it difficult to play if overcards appear on the flop. 3-bet to isolate the pot and maximize your positional advantage.

Example 2: In-position Bluff 3-bet

Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Cutoff
Preflop: Middle Position raises $6, Hero receives A♠5♠ on the Cutoff
Pot: $9

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → A5s is currently weak but suitable as a bluff hand. The Ace blocker reduces the opponent's probability of holding AK, AQ.
2. What role does my hand play within my range?
   → A bluff 3-bet hand. Since it's suited, even if called, there's potential for a flush draw or wheel on the flop.
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call often?
   → The lower end of the Middle Position's raise range (KQ, QJ, small pairs) will fold. It must be mixed with value 3-bets (QQ+, AK) to maintain balance.

Conclusion: 3-bet $18 (3x)

Comment: A5s is ideal for a bluff 3-bet. The Ace blocker lowers the opponent's probability of having premium hands, and being suited makes it playable even if called. If you always 3-bet only value hands, opponents will easily fold, so you must mix in bluffs like this.

Example 3: Out-of-position 3-bet (Tight Range)

Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Big Blind
Preflop: Button raises $6, Hero receives A♣K♦ in the Big Blind
Pot: $9

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → AK is a value core hand. Although the Button's raise range is wide, AK beats most hands.
2. What role does my hand play within my range?
   → Although out of position, the hand is very strong, making a 3-bet possible. Just calling can make it difficult to play on the flop.
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call often?
   → The Button opened with a wide range, so they will likely fold often to a 3-bet. Even if they call, AK is a strong hand.

Conclusion: 3-bet $18 (3x)

Comment: When out of position, it's best to keep your 3-bet range tight. AK is a value core hand, so 3-bet it, but reduce the bluff proportion. This strategy compensates for the positional disadvantage with hand strength.

Example 4: Adjusting Value/Bluff Balance

Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Cutoff
Situation: The Middle Position player folded 5 times to 3-bets over the last 30 hands (very high fold frequency)
Preflop: Middle Position raises $6, Hero receives 9♠8♠ on the Cutoff
Pot: $9

Thought Process:

1. Who is structurally favored on this board?
   → 98s is a weak hand, but since the opponent folds often to 3-bets, it's suitable as a bluff.
2. What role does my hand play within my range?
   → Suited connectors are classic bluff 3-bet hands. Even if called, there's potential for a draw on the flop.
3. Does the opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call often?
   → The opponent reacts very tightly to 3-bets, so increasing bluff frequency will still be highly profitable.

Conclusion: 3-bet $18 (3x)

Comment: If the opponent folds too often to 3-bets, you can increase the bluff proportion to 40-50%. 98s is a suited connector that is playable even if called, making it an ideal bluff hand. This is a good example of an exploit strategy.

Key Pattern Summary

Pattern 1: Value Core (QQ+, AK) → 3-bet in all situations

Pattern 2: Value Expansion (JJ, TT, AQs) → Add when in position or opponent is loose

Pattern 3: Bluff Selection (suited connectors, suited Ax) → Hands with good playability

Pattern 4: Value 70%, Bluff 30% → Standard ratio (in position)

Pattern 5: Value 80%, Bluff 20% → Out of position or when opponent 4-bets frequently

Pattern 6: Value 60%, Bluff 40% → When opponent folds often to 3-bets

Pattern 7: 3-bet size 3x → Standard (in position, preflop)

Pattern 8: Utilize Ace blocker → Bluff 3-bet with A5s, A4s (reduces opponent's AK, AQ probability)

Quiz

Question 1
Middle Position raises, you receive J♠J♦ on the Button. What is the correct strategy?

A) Always 3-bet (value core)
B) Always call (set mining)
C) 3-bet or call depending on opponent's style
D) Fold (overcard risk)

Question 2
Cutoff raises, you receive A♥6♥ on the Button. What is the reason it can be included in your 3-bet range?

A) Because it's a value hand
B) Suitable for bluffing with an Ace blocker and being suited
C) Should always be included
D) Should never be included

Question 3
You are in the Big Blind facing a Button raise. How should you adjust your 3-bet range when out of position?

A) Increase bluff proportion (40% or more)
B) Decrease bluff proportion (20% or less)
C) Only 3-bet for value (0% bluff)
D) Maintain the same as in position

Question 4
The opponent folded 15 times to 3-bets over the last 20 hands (75% fold frequency). How should you adjust your 3-bet range?

A) Increase value proportion
B) Increase bluff proportion
C) Tighten the range
D) Stop 3-betting

Question 5
You are on the Button facing a Middle Position raise with K♠Q♠. What is the correct classification for this hand?

A) Value core → Always 3-bet
B) Value expansion → Sometimes 3-bet, mostly call
C) Bluff → Only 3-bet as a bluff
D) Fold → Too weak

Answers and Explanations

Question 1
Answer: C) 3-bet or call depending on opponent's style

Explanation: JJ is weaker than the value core (QQ+, AK) but can be included in value expansion. If the opponent is tight, 3-betting for value is good. If the opponent is loose and 4-bets frequently, calling for set mining might be more advantageous.

Question 2
Answer: B) Suitable for bluffing with an Ace blocker and being suited

Explanation: A6s is not a value hand but is a good hand for a bluff 3-bet. The Ace blocker reduces the opponent's probability of holding AK, AQ, and being suited means there's potential for a flush draw on the flop even if called. When constructing your bluff range, choose hands with good playability like this.

Question 3
Answer: B) Decrease bluff proportion (20% or less)

Explanation: When out of position, the positional disadvantage is significant, so you should keep your 3-bet range tight. It is advantageous to increase the value proportion to 80% or more (focusing on QQ+, AK) and reduce bluffs to 20% or less. This strategy compensates for the positional disadvantage with hand strength.

Question 4
Answer: B) Increase bluff proportion

Explanation: An opponent folding 75% to 3-bets means they are reacting very tightly. Against such an opponent, increasing the bluff proportion to 40-50% will still be highly profitable. Exploit their excessive folding with an exploit strategy.

Question 5
Answer: B) Value expansion → Sometimes 3-bet, mostly call

Explanation: KQs is a strong hand but weaker than the value core (QQ+, AK). It falls into the value expansion category, where you might 3-bet when the opponent is loose or you have good position, but generally, calling is safer. Be cautious as you might often face a 4-bet and have to fold if you 3-bet.