When a player puts in a bet larger than minimum bet, it’s called a raise and considered the second bet, or 2-bet for short. Any subsequent limps are considered calls since it’s calling the minimum bet of the posted big blind (or straddle). In Hold’em, the blinds posted are considered the first bet. Let’s first define what a 3-bet is for anyone completely new to the subject. There’s obviously more advanced concepts but the purpose of this lesson is to provide a general framework for knowing when to 3-bet, the range of hands to do it with, and why. This includes determining the situation, realizing your position, assessing hand strength values, and knowing how to exploit certain tendencies to assure our 3-bet is a profitable play. We need to be able to think beyond the basics. This is because it’s not nearly as simple as following a standard preflop hand chart.
For beginner poker players, 3-betting can be a hard concept to grasp, both in theory and application.
