A cold 4-bet is a play where you make a 4-bet between an open raise and a 3-bet, and a 5-bet response is a play where you re-raise a 4-bet.
Basic Strategy
Basic Premise
- Based on cash games, 100BB stack
- Cold 4-bet: UTG raise → BTN 3-bet → Hero 4-bet
- 5-bet Response: Hero 3-bet → Opponent 4-bet → Hero 5-bet
- Very strong range vs. range situation
Basic Lines
The cold 4-bet range is extremely tight. It basically only includes JJ+, AK, and bluffs are rarely used. Because you are intervening against two strong ranges, it must be value-oriented.
5-bet responses are divided into two types:
- 5-bet All-in (100BB): KK+, AK (premium only)
- 5-bet Fold (bluff or weak value): 4-betting with a weak hand and then folding to an opponent's 5-bet
The key is that the range becomes very narrow, so the cost of mistakes is high.
Rationale
- A cold 4-bet faces two strong ranges, so it must have high equity.
- A 5-bet all-in is a decision to commit the entire 100BB, so only premium hands should be used.
- A bluff 4-bet must be planned in advance to fold to a 5-bet.
Responses by Situation
1. When Considering a Cold 4-bet
Only use very strong hands (QQ+, AK). Both the UTG raise and the BTN 3-bet are strong ranges, so only hands with high equity against both ranges are profitable. JJ can be used selectively, but if the opponent is tight, folding might be better.
2. When Facing a 4-bet (5-bet vs. Call vs. Fold)
If your 3-bet hand is for value (QQ+, AK), consider a 5-bet all-in. If it was a bluff (A5s, suited connectors), you will mostly fold. JJ, TT, AQ can call depending on the situation, but post-flop play is very difficult, so folding is also reasonable.
3. When Opponent 4-bets Frequently
Reduce 3-bet bluffs and adjust to be value-oriented. If your opponent's 4-bet frequency is high (15% or more), light 3-bet bluffs become less profitable. Narrow your 3-bet range, and if you face a 4-bet, only 5-bet or call with strong hands.
4. When Opponent Rarely 4-bets
Increase 3-bet bluffs and be prepared to fold if you face a 4-bet. If your opponent's 4-bet frequency is low (5% or less), 3-bet bluffs often succeed. If you rarely face a 4-bet, fold bluff hands and only 5-bet value hands.
Thought Framework
In 4-bet/5-bet situations, analyze in this order:
- Does my hand have high equity against the two opponent ranges (or 4-bet range)?
- What is the pot size and stack-to-pot ratio after a cold 4-bet or 5-bet? (Are you committed?)
- What is the opponent's 4-bet/5-bet frequency? (Tight or loose?)
- Which action has higher EV among 5-bet all-in vs. 5-bet fold vs. call vs. fold?
- Is post-flop play possible? (After calling a 4-bet)
Example Hand Analysis
Example 1: Cold 4-bet (Premium Hand)
Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Big Blind
Pre-flop: UTG raises $6, BTN 3-bets $20, Hero holds K♠ K♦
Pot: $27
Thought Process:
1. “Who is structurally favored in this situation?”
→ KK is a premium hand. While the UTG raise and BTN 3-bet are strong ranges, KK is ahead of most.
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
→ Top of the cold 4-bet value range. KK is only behind AA and beats all others.
3. “Are there enough hands for the opponent to fold / Do they call frequently?”
→ A cold 4-bet forces weak hands to fold and creates a large pot with strong hands.
Conclusion: Cold 4-bet $60 (3 times)
Comment: KK is a core value hand for a cold 4-bet. It's good if the opponent folds, and even if they call or 5-bet all-in, you can fight with strong equity. Although out of position, KK is strong enough to be worth 4-betting.
Example 2: Facing a 4-bet and 5-bet All-in (Top Premium)
Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Cutoff
Pre-flop: Middle Position raises $6, Hero 3-bets $18 (A♠ A♣), Middle Position 4-bets $50
Pot: $77
Thought Process:
1. “Who is structurally favored in this situation?”
→ AA is the best hand. It dominates the opponent's 4-bet range (QQ+, AK).
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
→ Top of the 5-bet all-in range. AA is always a 5-bet all-in.
3. “Are there enough hands for the opponent to fold / Do they call frequently?”
→ If the opponent has KK, QQ, or AK, they are likely to call. Extract maximum value.
Conclusion: 5-bet All-in $200 (entire stack)
Comment: AA is always a 5-bet all-in with a 100BB stack. It's a shame if the opponent folds, but if they call, you can take down a large pot with approximately 85%+ equity. A pre-flop all-in has higher EV than seeing a post-flop.
Example 3: Facing a 4-bet and Folding (Bluff 3-bet)
Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: BTN
Pre-flop: Cutoff raises $6, Hero 3-bets $18 (A♦ 5♦), Cutoff 4-bets $50
Pot: $77
Thought Process:
1. “Who is structurally favored in this situation?”
→ A5s was a light 3-bet bluff. The opponent's 4-bet is a strong range (QQ+, AK).
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
→ Bluff. If you 5-bet, the opponent almost always calls, and even if called, post-flop play is difficult.
3. “Are there enough hands for the opponent to fold / Do they call frequently?”
→ The opponent's 4-bet range is very strong, so A5s has low equity. Folding is best.
Conclusion: Fold
Comment: A5s was a good light 3-bet bluff, but folding to a 4-bet is the plan. A 5-bet bluff is very risky (the opponent almost always calls), and even if called, post-flop play is difficult. Fold cleanly.
Example 4: Facing a 4-bet and Calling (Middle Hand)
Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: BTN
Pre-flop: Cutoff raises $6, Hero 3-bets $18 (J♠ J♦), Cutoff 4-bets $50
Pot: $77
Thought Process:
1. “Who is structurally favored in this situation?”
→ JJ is a middle hand. It is slightly behind the opponent's 4-bet range (QQ+, AK).
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
→ Too weak to 5-bet, too strong to fold. A candidate for calling.
3. “Are there enough hands for the opponent to fold / Do they call frequently?”
→ Since you have position, you can play post-flop after calling. If no overcards appear on the flop, play strongly.
Conclusion: Call $50
Comment: JJ is a candidate for calling a 4-bet. 5-betting is less profitable because only QQ+, AK will call, and the rest will fold. It's too strong to fold, so you call and play post-flop. Be careful if overcards appear on the flop, and you can play aggressively if a J or low cards appear.
Key Patterns Summary
Pattern 1: Cold 4-bet range = JJ+, AK (extremely tight)
Pattern 2: 5-bet All-in range = KK+, AK (premium only)
Pattern 3: Bluff 3-bets facing a 4-bet mostly fold
Pattern 4: JJ, TT are candidates for calling a 4-bet (when in position)
Pattern 5: High opponent 4-bet frequency → Reduce 3-bet bluffs
Pattern 6: Low opponent 4-bet frequency → Increase 3-bet bluffs
Pattern 7: Cold 4-bet size = approximately 2.5 to 3 times the 3-bet
Pattern 8: 5-bet All-in = entire 100BB stack (pre-flop conclusion)
Quiz
Question 1
What are the core hands included in a cold 4-bet range?
- A) All pairs
- B) JJ+, AK
- C) 77+, AQ+
- D) Suited connectors
Question 2
You 3-bet and your opponent 4-bet. What is the correct action when your hand is AA?
- A) Fold
- B) Call
- C) 5-bet All-in
- D) Check
Question 3
You made a light 3-bet bluff (A5s) and your opponent 4-bet. What is the correct action?
- A) 5-bet bluff
- B) Call
- C) Fold
- D) All-in
Question 4
How do you typically respond with JJ when facing a 4-bet? (When in position)
- A) Always fold
- B) Always 5-bet
- C) Call and play post-flop
- D) Always all-in
Question 5
How should you adjust when your opponent 4-bets frequently (15% or more)?
- A) Increase 3-bet bluffs
- B) Reduce 3-bet bluffs and adjust to be value-oriented
- C) 4-bet more frequently
- D) Fold all hands
Answers and Explanations
Question 1
Answer: B) JJ+, AK
Explanation: The cold 4-bet range is extremely tight. Since it faces two strong ranges, the UTG raise and BTN 3-bet, only premium hands like JJ+, AK are profitable. JJ is also selective, with QQ+ AK being the core.
Question 2
Answer: C) 5-bet All-in
Explanation: AA is the top premium hand and is always a 5-bet all-in with a 100BB stack. It dominates the opponent's 4-bet range (QQ+, AK), so you should extract maximum value. A pre-flop all-in has higher EV than seeing a post-flop.
Question 3
Answer: C) Fold
Explanation: If you make a light 3-bet bluff (A5s) and face a 4-bet, folding is the plan. The opponent's 4-bet range is very strong (QQ+, AK), a 5-bet bluff is risky, and even if called, post-flop play is difficult. Fold cleanly.
Question 4
Answer: C) Call and play post-flop
Explanation: JJ is a candidate for calling a 4-bet. 5-betting is less profitable because only QQ+, AK will call, and it's too strong to fold. Since you have position, calling and playing post-flop is the best option. Be careful if overcards appear on the flop.
Question 5
Answer: B) Reduce 3-bet bluffs and adjust to be value-oriented
Explanation: If your opponent 4-bets frequently (15% or more), light 3-bet bluffs become less profitable. Narrow your 3-bet range to be value-oriented (QQ+, AK), and if you face a 4-bet, only 5-bet or call with strong hands.
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