3-Bet

A 3-bet is the third bet in a betting sequence: a re-raise made after an opponent has already raised, used either for value or as a bluff. The name counts the aggressive actions in a round — the big blind is the first "bet," the initial raise is the second, and the re-raise on top of that raise is the third, hence "3-bet." It is one of the defining moves of modern no-limit hold'em, applying pressure and building the pot with your strongest and most well-chosen hands. A value 3-bet aims to get called by worse holdings (with hands like aces, kings, or ace-king), while a bluff 3-bet — often made with "blockers" or hands that play well when called — forces the original raiser to fold hands that would otherwise have equity against you. Position matters enormously: 3-betting is far more effective in position than out of position. Worked example: with blinds at $1/$2, a player opens to $6 from the button. From the big blind you 3-bet to $20 — roughly 3.3x the open, a standard out-of-position sizing. If your 3-betting range at this spot is 60% value and 40% bluffs, opponents cannot profitably call or 4-bet everything, so your bluffs earn immediate folds while your value hands get paid. A tighter 3-bet range of, say, 4% of hands signals real strength. Facing frequent 3-bets, a disciplined player folds marginal opens, calls in position, and 4-bets premiums. Compare with four-bet, continuation-bet, squeeze-play and position.