Facing a regular 3bettor preflop

[Talking Poker]

Consider the BB to be the first bet if that makes it easier. Calls add 0 bets. Raises add 1.

So opening (to 40 in our example) is the 2nd bet and reraising (to 120 in our example) is the third - tada - three betting.


FWIW, I feel that I can pretty much dominate any table where no one 3 bets light (ie, if they reraise preflop, they have a BIG hand). The tables I have the most trouble with are when there are multiple people who three bet me light. In position, I call quite a bit - probably more than I should - and I HATE calling 3 bets out of position. I probably fold to 3 bets OOP too often and don't 4 bet (light) enough... I just don't seem to have the sones to pull it off very often.

IMO, light 3 betting is probably the biggest difference between the low limit NL cash games and the mid limit ones. Yes, lots of other things change and the players improve in general, but I'm saying it's the difference in 3 betting hand ranges that I think is the single biggest skill difference as you move up - not to mention the hardest one (for me) to counteract.

When I'm the guy doing all the light 3 betting, life is good.... when my opponents start playing back at my raises (and reraises) though, I start to get frustrated.