A 3-bet is a re-raise after an open raise. The big blind is the first "bet," the open is the second, and your re-raise is the third.
Value 3-bets
A value 3-bet is made with a hand that's ahead of the hands that will call or 4-bet. Q♠Q♦, K♣K♥, A♠A♦ and A♥K♦ are value 3-bets against almost anyone.
Beyond those, it depends on who opened and from where. Against a tight under-the-gun raise, J♣J♦ and A♠Q♠ are often better as calls, because the hands that continue against a 3-bet (Q-Q+, A-K) have you beat or flipping. Against a button open with a wide range, the same J-J and A-Q are strong value 3-bets, since plenty of worse hands like A-J, K-Q and 9-9 will call.
Beginners do well to start with a mostly value 3-betting range and add bluffs later.
Bluff 3-bets
A bluff 3-bet needs a reason beyond "this hand looks playable." Good bluff candidates usually have some of these:
- Blockers: A♠5♠ holds an ace, which makes it less likely the opener has A-A or A-K.
- Playability when called: A5s can make the nut flush or a wheel straight. K♥T♥ and 7♠6♠ flop decent draws.
- Poor as a call: hands that would struggle in a called pot, especially out of position.
Hands like K♦J♣ or Q♠T♦ offsuit are usually poor bluffs. They block little, and when called they make dominated pairs.
How big to 3-bet
Common sizing guides:
- In position (for example, button vs a cutoff open): about 3 times the open.
- Out of position (from the blinds): about 4 times the open, because the caller gets to act last after the flop.
- Add more for each player who already called the open.
At $1/$3, if the cutoff opens to $15 and you're on the button, a 3-bet to about $45 works. From the big blind against the same open, go to around $60. If the open was $15 and one player called, make it about $60 in position and $75 out of position.
Live opens are often much bigger than online ones, so fixed multipliers can create strange pots. A 3-bet to $100 facing a $25 open with $300 stacks leaves you with $200 behind and little room to play. Look at the pot you're creating and the stack left behind, not just the multiplier. See bet sizing for more.
Stack depth and the next decision
A 3-bet isn't the end of the hand. Before you raise, know what you'll do if the opener folds, calls or 4-bets.
Example: $1/$3, 100 big blinds ($300) effective. The cutoff opens to $15, you 3-bet to $45 on the button with A♥Q♥, and the blinds fold. If the cutoff calls, the pot is $94 with $255 behind. On a Q♣8♦4♠ flop, top pair top kicker is happy to get all the money in. On a K♣J♦5♠ flop, you have a draw and some bluffs to consider. If the cutoff 4-bets to $110 instead, most players at this stake have Q-Q+ or A-K, and A-Q is often a fold.
With A♠A♦ you want the 4-bet. With A♠5♠ you're happy to fold to it. Knowing that ahead of time keeps you from getting stuck.
Position changes everything
Out of position, it's harder to realise your equity after the flop, so you need a stronger or larger 3-bet to make up for it. From the small blind, many players prefer 3-bet or fold over calling, because calling invites a squeeze from the big blind and leaves you out of position anyway. In position, you keep the information edge on every street. See poker positions.
Adjusting to the live table
If an opener almost never folds to a 3-bet, bluff 3-bets lose their appeal. Just 3-bet bigger for value and let them call with worse. If a player opens too wide and folds too often, selective pressure with hands like A5s and K9s works well.
Most low-stakes live players 3-bet with a narrow, strong range. When a quiet player 3-bets you for the first time in two hours, give them credit.
Common questions
What is a 3-bet in poker?
A 3-bet is a re-raise of an open raise before the flop. It's called a 3-bet because the big blind counts as the first bet and the open raise as the second.
How much should I 3-bet?
About 3 times the open in position and about 4 times out of position, plus extra for each caller. At $1/$3 against a $15 open, that's roughly $45 on the button or $60 from the blinds.
What hands should I 3-bet?
Always 3-bet Q-Q, K-K, A-A and A-K for value. Against wider late-position opens, add hands like J-J, T-T and A-Q. Bluff 3-bets work best with hands like A5s that block strong hands and play well when called.
Should I 3-bet or call with pocket jacks?
Against a wide late-position open, 3-bet. Against a tight early-position raise, calling is often better because the players who continue against a 3-bet usually have jacks beaten or are close to a coin flip.
By the TorontoPoker.org editorial team · Updated September 2026 · 19+ · Play responsibly