What is a squeeze play in poker?
A squeeze is a 3-bet made after one player raises and one or more players call. The raiser is “squeezed” between you and the callers, and the callers have usually shown they don’t have a premium hand. Squeezes win the pot preflop often and build big pots with strong hands.
Example
Section titled “Example”The cutoff raises to 2.5 BB, the button calls. You’re in the big blind and re-raise to 12 BB. That’s a squeeze. The cutoff has to worry about the button behind; the button called instead of 3-betting, so they rarely have A-A or K-K.
Why it works
Section titled “Why it works”- The callers’ ranges are capped: they would often 3-bet their best hands.
- The raiser must act with a player left to act behind.
- There’s dead money in the pot from the callers and blinds.
Which hands to squeeze
Section titled “Which hands to squeeze”- For value: A-A, K-K, Q-Q, A-K, often J-J and A-Q.
- As a bluff (advanced): suited hands with an ace or king blocker, like A-5 suited or K-9 suited. See blockers.
Bigger than a normal 3-bet because of the extra players: roughly 4× the raise plus 1× for each caller (more out of position). In the example: 2.5 × 4 + 2.5 = 12.5 BB.
When not to squeeze
Section titled “When not to squeeze”- Against a tight early-position raiser.
- When the callers are calling stations: they won’t fold.
- With short stacks, where a shove is simpler. See push/fold.
When someone squeezes you
Section titled “When someone squeezes you”If you called a raise and face a squeeze, fold most hands that called for implied odds, like small pairs and suited connectors. Continue with strong hands only.
What is a squeeze in poker?
Section titled “What is a squeeze in poker?”A 3-bet made after a raise and at least one call.
Why does the squeeze play work?
Section titled “Why does the squeeze play work?”The callers rarely have premium hands, the raiser is caught in the middle, and there is extra money in the pot.
How big should a squeeze be?
Section titled “How big should a squeeze be?”About 4 times the raise plus one raise for each caller, a bit more out of position.
Which hands should you squeeze?
Section titled “Which hands should you squeeze?”Strong value hands like A-A, K-K, Q-Q and A-K, plus some suited ace or king bluffs for advanced players.