In the evolving landscape of competitive poker, understanding and optimizing your poker 3 bet range is crucial for long-term success. Whether you’re grinding online cash games, entering tournaments, or facing off in live poker rooms, an efficient and well-balanced 3 bet strategy can dramatically increase your win rate. But what exactly is a 3 bet range, and how should you tailor it based on your opponents and positions?
What Is a 3 Bet in Poker?
In no-limit Texas Hold’em, a “3 bet” refers to the third bet in a betting sequence. Here’s a quick breakdown:
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Player A makes the first raise (open raise)
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Player B re-raises (this is the 3 bet)
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Player A can then call, fold, or 4 bet (re-raise again)
The poker 3 bet range includes all the hands you are willing to re-raise with when facing an open.
Why Is Your 3 Bet Range Important?
A strategic 3 bet serves multiple purposes:
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Punishes weak opens and exploits loose players
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Builds bigger pots with strong hands
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Applies pressure, especially in late positions
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Balances your play, making you tougher to read
An unbalanced or overly narrow 3 bet range can make you predictable, while an overly wide range can leak chips quickly.
Building Your Poker 3 Bet Range
1. Positional Awareness
Your position at the table significantly influences your 3 bet range. For example:
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From the blinds vs late position: Use a polarized range (strong hands + bluffs like suited connectors or suited aces).
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From the button vs middle position: Use a merged range (mostly strong value hands like AKo, AQo, TT+).
2. Adjusting to Opponents
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Against tight players: Focus on value hands; bluffing is less effective.
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Against loose-aggressive players: Widen your 3 bet range to include more bluffs.
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Against fish (recreational players): Lean toward value hands and exploit their calls.
3. Sample 3 Bet Ranges by Position
Here’s a rough guide for a 6-max cash game setup:
Button vs Cutoff Open
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Value: QQ+, AK
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Bluffs: A5s-A2s, K5s-K9s, T9s, 98s
Small Blind vs Button Open
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Value: JJ+, AQ+
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Bluffs: A4s-A2s, 76s, Q9s
Big Blind vs Cutoff Open
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Value: TT+, AQo+
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Bluffs: A5s, KTs, QTs, J9s, 65s
Remember, these ranges can shift depending on stack sizes and table dynamics.
3 Bet Sizing
A good general rule:
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In position: 3x the open size
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Out of position: 3.5x to 4x the open size
Proper sizing increases fold equity and prevents opponents from calling profitably with speculative hands.
Common Mistakes with 3 Betting
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Always 3 betting the same hands: Makes you easy to read.
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Never 3 betting light: Misses chances to exploit tight opponents.
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3 betting marginal hands out of position: Often ends up in tough spots post-flop.
Final Thoughts: Sharpening Your Poker 3 Bet Range
Mastering your poker 3 bet range is a blend of theory, practice, and adaptation. The best players constantly tweak their ranges based on game flow, opponent tendencies, and stack dynamics. As you build experience, your 3 bet decisions will become sharper and more profitable.
Whether you’re an intermediate grinder or a seasoned pro, refining your 3 bet game can give you a serious edge at the tables.