Three‑Bet
A three-bet is the third bet in a betting round, which means a re-raise of the opening raise. Before the flop, the blind is the first bet, the opening raise is the second, and the re-raise is the third.
The simple explanation
Before the flop, the big blind counts as the first bet. When a player raises, that is the second bet, and when another player re-raises, it is the three-bet. It is a big play that shows strength or is a bluff.
A closer look
Three-bets are used for value with strong hands and as bluffs with hands that have good blockers. The size is usually about three times the original raise, or more out of position. The opponent can fold, call or four-bet. A three-bet takes the initiative and builds a pot.
A practical example
A player raises to 6, and you re-raise to 18 with A♥ K♦. That is a three-bet.
Full explanation
A three-bet is the third bet in a betting round, which means a re-raise of the opening raise. Before the flop, the blind is the first bet, the opening raise is the second, and the re-raise is the third.
A three-bet is a re-raise of the opening raise.
The blind is the first bet, the raise the second.
It can be for value or a bluff.
The next raise is a four-bet.
See a 3-bet
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Before the flop, the big blind counts as the first bet.
Read the example transcript
Player B has the button (BTN). Player C posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player D posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Before the flop, the big blind counts as the first bet.
- Player B BTN AAce of hearts (Ah)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
- Player C SB 77 of clubs (7c)22 of diamonds (2d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player D BB KKing of spades (Ks)QQueen of hearts (Qh) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Player A JJack of clubs (Jc)1010 of clubs (Tc) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
- Preflop · Pot: 9 chips
Player A raises to 6 chips. This is the first raise, sometimes called a 2-bet.
- Player B BTN AAce of hearts (Ah)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
- Player C SB 77 of clubs (7c)22 of diamonds (2d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player D BB KKing of spades (Ks)QQueen of hearts (Qh) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Player A JJack of clubs (Jc)1010 of clubs (Tc) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Preflop · Pot: 27 chips
Player B raises again, to 18 chips. This re-raise is the 3-bet.
- Player B BTN AAce of hearts (Ah)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 182 · In this round 18
- Player C SB 77 of clubs (7c)22 of diamonds (2d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player D BB KKing of spades (Ks)QQueen of hearts (Qh) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Player A JJack of clubs (Jc)1010 of clubs (Tc) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.