What is a 4-bet in poker?
A 4-bet is a re-raise after a 3-bet: someone opens, another player 3-bets, and you raise again. At low stakes, a 4-bet is usually a very strong hand, so keep your own 4-bets mostly to A-A, K-K, Q-Q and A-K, and fold most hands when you face one.
The betting sequence
Section titled “The betting sequence”- Big blind = the 1st bet.
- Open raise = 2nd bet.
- Re-raise = 3-bet. See 3-bet.
- Re-raise again = 4-bet.
- Another re-raise = 5-bet (often all-in).
Which hands to 4-bet
Section titled “Which hands to 4-bet”- For value: A-A, K-K, often Q-Q and A-K.
- As a bluff (advanced): hands with an ace blocker like A-5 suited, mainly against players who 3-bet a lot and fold to 4-bets. See blockers.
At micro stakes, a value-only 4-bet range is usually best: few players 3-bet light enough to bluff.
4-bet sizes
Section titled “4-bet sizes”- In position: about 2.2–2.5× the 3-bet.
- Out of position: about 2.5–3× the 3-bet.
- With 40 big blinds or less, a 4-bet is often simply all-in.
Example: you open to 2.5 BB, a player 3-bets to 8 BB, and you 4-bet to about 20 BB.
Facing a 4-bet
Section titled “Facing a 4-bet”- At low stakes, it’s often Q-Q+ or A-K. Fold J-J and below in many cases, unless the player is very aggressive.
- With A-A or K-K, 5-bet all-in.
- Calling a 4-bet out of position with medium hands is usually a mistake.
See also pocket aces, pocket kings and ace-king.
What is a 4-bet in poker?
Section titled “What is a 4-bet in poker?”A re-raise after a 3-bet before the flop.
Which hands should you 4-bet?
Section titled “Which hands should you 4-bet?”Mostly A-A, K-K, Q-Q and A-K; bluffs with blockers are for advanced players.
How big should a 4-bet be?
Section titled “How big should a 4-bet be?”About 2.2–2.5 times the 3-bet in position, a bit more out of position, or all-in with short stacks.
What does a 4-bet usually mean at low stakes?
Section titled “What does a 4-bet usually mean at low stakes?”A very strong hand, often Q-Q or better, or A-K.