What Is a 4-Bet in Poker? Learn How It Impacts Your Game
In our guide to how to bet in poker, we covered many of the possible bets and positions. We have also briefly discussed the 3-bet meaning and other unique betting situations. Now it’s the turn of the 4-bet, a strong and occasionally risky maneuver that every serious poker player should know about.
What is a 4-Bet in Poker?
A 4-bet is simply the fourth bet in a cycle. If there is a re-raise, it is considered a 3-bet. When someone re-raises the 3-bet, it’s a 4-bet.
A 4-bet often occurs before the flop, with players basing their bets on the strength of their hole hands or their reads on other players. But they can also happen after the flop, usually because there are at least two strong hands in play or because one of the players is adopting an aggressive stance and trying to steal the pot.
4-Bet Poker Example
Suppose you have drawn two aces during tournament play and are at a table with five other players. You’re in a late position, and you watch as a couple of your opponents call before someone raises. The player next to them re-raises, thus making a 3-bet, and then the play comes around to you.
You could call and then see the flop. You might catch another ace or see a weak flop that convinces you that you have the best hand. But if you’re calling, it means you’re adding chips to a pot that is already stacked high, which means the early callers might be tempted, the raiser will definitely be tempted, and the 3-bettor will almost certainly join you.
At the very least, you could end up in a pot with two other players. As noted in other poker guides, including our online poker strategy, pocket aces are always the best hand pre-flop, but the more opponents you have, the more likely you are to be beaten by a weaker hand. In this case, a 4-bet will make it costlier for weaker hands to see the flop while raising the bar for the raiser and 3-bettor.
Moreover, both players know that if they opt for a 5-bet, there’s a good chance you will go all-in. It’s what you want, but it might not be what they want, so you have the upper hand.
4-Bet Poker Strategies
There are two ways to play strong hands in poker. The first is to try and trap your opponent, but that doesn’t always work out. If they don’t catch anything on the flop, they might try to bully you out of the pot, but if you keep calling, they’ll likely figure out what you’re doing and then check-fold.
Alternatively, if you play it strong, you can get value when they have something and think you’re overly aggressive. Sure, they might fold, but if they are folding to a 4-bet, they almost certainly wouldn’t have bet big or shoved if you tried to trap them.
Therefore, the best time to 4-bet is when you have a strong hand. Play it like it deserves to be played, and get all the value you can from it.
So, if you have the nuts and others are raising and re-raising, give them a taste of their own medicine and let them know who’s boss.
If aggressive 4-bets eventually lead to a showdown and a big win, it puts you in a firm position. You’re showing your opponents how you play solid hands and what actions you’re likely to take. That way, when the pot is getting heated, and you’re not convinced your opponents have anything, you can bluff a 4-bet, and they will be more likely to believe you and fold.
Can You Only 4-Bet in Texas Hold’em?
No, you can 4-bet in all poker variants allowing no-limit play. It’s usually not possible with fixed-limit and pot-limit poker, though, unless the bets are minimal. In these games, you’re either limited by a predefined stake limit or by the size of the pot, with players not able to bet more than the current value of the pot.
Fixed/pot-limit games also prevent players from shoving on small pots. This aggressive play frustrates novices but delights professionals, as they can just wait until they have something good and then call.
Summary: What is a 4-Bet in Poker?
A 4-bet follows a 3-bet and refers to a re-raise of a re-raise. These bets indicate either a powerful hand or a daring bluff, and while they typically occur pre-flop, they can happen at any time during the hand.
Poker Common Queries
What size is 4-bet sizing in poker?
Experts recommend 4-betting between 2x and 3x the previous bet, with the optimal amount being 2.5x. You may choose the bet more when out of position, which puts you at a slight disadvantage. For more information on selecting the right seat, see the following guide: choose online poker seat.
What is the difference between a 3-bet and a 4-bet?
A 3-bet is a re-raise; a 4-bet follows it. A substantial wager usually reduces the hand to just two players — the 3-bettor and 4-bettor.
When should you 4-bet?
You should 4-bet when you have a strong hand or a good read on your opponent and think they will easily relinquish their chips.
What is a 3-bet in poker?
A 3-bet is a typical move before and after the flop. It is simply a re-raise. It can be an excellent way to get value from a strong hand or scare an opponent into folding and giving you the pot.
Can you 4-bet in other casino games?
You may encounter the expression in other games, but it won’t always have the same meaning. A 4-bet slot or roulette strategy is more likely to refer to a betting system, while in blackjack, it could reference the number of hands you play at any given time. Such occurrences are rare; we don’t know of any other 4-bet casino strategy or game. It’s mainly used in reference to poker.
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