3-Bet

Definition

A 3-bet is the third bet in a sequence: the big blind is the first bet (the forced bet), an open-raise is the second bet, and a re-raise on top of that is the 3-bet. You'll hear this term constantly in poker — any time someone raises a raise, that's a 3-bet. It can happen pre-flop or post-flop, but "3-bet" almost always refers to pre-flop action in everyday poker conversation.

Example

You're on the button. A player in middle position raises to $6 in a $1/$2 game. Everyone folds to you and you look down at Q♠ Q♦ — a premium hand. Rather than just calling the $6, you re-raise to $18. That re-raise is a 3-bet. The original raiser now has to decide whether to fold, call your $18, or re-raise again (which would be a 4-bet). When you 3-bet with a strong hand like queens, you're building the pot while you have the advantage and narrowing the field to fewer opponents. You want to play your best hands for as many chips as possible.

Why It Matters

3-bets communicate strength — loudly. When someone 3-bets pre-flop, the entire table takes notice, and most players will fold unless they have a genuinely strong hand. As a beginner, you should 3-bet with your strongest hands (aces, kings, queens, ace-king) when someone raises before you. This accomplishes two things: it builds the pot when you have the best hand, and it reduces the number of players you face. One of the most common beginner mistakes is just calling with big hands pre-flop, hoping to "trap" someone — but most of the time you just let in players with bad hands who occasionally get lucky against you.