5‑bet
A 5-bet is a raise over a 4-bet: the third re-raise in the same betting round.
The simple explanation
After an opening raise, one player 3-bets, another 4-bets, and a player raises once more. That final raise is a 5-bet. The number tells you where this raise falls in the sequence, not how many times larger it must be. A 5-bet often happens before the flop, but the same counting can apply on a later betting street.
A closer look
A 5-bet often puts a large part of the effective stack at risk and may be an all-in raise, but neither is required by the term. It can be made with a strong hand for value or as a bluff against a range that may fold. The opponent's 4-betting range, stack depth and raise sizes matter more than any rule that a 5-bet always means aces.
A practical example
With blinds of 1/2 chips, Player A raises to 6, Player B 3-bets to 18, Player A 4-bets to 45, and Player B raises to 100. Player B's raise to 100 is the 5-bet. These are total amounts for the round.
Full explanation
A 5-bet is a raise over a 4-bet: the third re-raise in the same betting round.
Before the flop, the big blind is the first bet. An opening raise is the 2-bet, followed in order by a 3-bet, a 4-bet and then a 5-bet. For example, if Player A raises, Player B re-raises, Player A raises again and Player B raises once more, Player B has made a 5-bet.
A 5-bet is a betting action, not a promise of a particular hand or an automatic all-in. It often creates a large pot, so the opponent’s range, effective stacks and prior raise sizes matter. It can be for value or occasionally a bluff. The term can also apply after the flop when enough raises occur on the same street.
See a 5-bet
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. The big blind counts as the first bet before the flop.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN). Player B posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player C posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. The big blind counts as the first bet before the flop.
- Player A BTN JJack of hearts (Jh)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 300 · In this round 0
- Player B SB AAce of spades (As)KKing of clubs (Kc) · Stack 299 · In this round 1
- Player C BB 88 of hearts (8h)33 of spades (3s) · Stack 298 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 9 chips
Player A raises to 6 chips.
- Player A BTN JJack of hearts (Jh)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 294 · In this round 6
- Player B SB AAce of spades (As)KKing of clubs (Kc) · Stack 299 · In this round 1
- Player C BB 88 of hearts (8h)33 of spades (3s) · Stack 298 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 26 chips
Player B raises to 18 chips. This is a 3-bet.
- Player A BTN JJack of hearts (Jh)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 294 · In this round 6
- Player B SB AAce of spades (As)KKing of clubs (Kc) · Stack 282 · In this round 18
- Player C BB 88 of hearts (8h)33 of spades (3s) · Stack 298 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 26 chips
Player C folds.
- Player A BTN JJack of hearts (Jh)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 294 · In this round 6
- Player B SB AAce of spades (As)KKing of clubs (Kc) · Stack 282 · In this round 18
- Player C BB 88 of hearts (8h)33 of spades (3s) · Stack 298 · In this round 2 · Folded
- Preflop · Pot: 65 chips
Player A raises to 45 chips. This is a 4-bet.
- Player A BTN JJack of hearts (Jh)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 255 · In this round 45
- Player B SB AAce of spades (As)KKing of clubs (Kc) · Stack 282 · In this round 18
- Player C BB 88 of hearts (8h)33 of spades (3s) · Stack 298 · In this round 2 · Folded
- Preflop · Pot: 147 chips
Player B raises again, to 100 chips. This raise over the 4-bet is the 5-bet.
- Player A BTN JJack of hearts (Jh)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 255 · In this round 45
- Player B SB AAce of spades (As)KKing of clubs (Kc) · Stack 200 · In this round 100
- Player C BB 88 of hearts (8h)33 of spades (3s) · Stack 298 · In this round 2 · Folded
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.