One of the commonest questions I'M asked is, “Which hands should I reraise with before the flop?” (A reraise could also be called a three-bet.) The answer's not cut and dry. As with most things in poker, your strategy should depend entirely for your opponents’ strategies. If you happen to blindly three-bet the similar range in all situations, you're going to lose an enormous sum of money within the long run.
Three-betting ranges are known as either “linear” or “polar.” A linear three-betting range contains only the most efficient hands. That is an example of a normal linear three-betting range:
It is perfect to three-bet with a linear range versus players who will call your three-bet with many hands that you just dominate, and only four-bet with premium hands that crush even your strong linear range. Nearly all of weak, straightforward small-stakes players fall into this category.
For example, if a somewhat splashy, small-stakes player raises from middle position to 3 big blinds out of his 100-big blind stack and also you are within the cutoff or at the button, you must often three-bet with the above linear range. Your opponent will usually call with many hands you dominate, corresponding to 4-4, A-4 suited, and K-10, and only four-bet with A-A, K-K, Q-Q, and A-K. Your strategy against these players is extremely simple and intuitive. After they call your three-bet, you extract an enormous amount of value and after they four-bet, you get off the hook. If you need an in depth discussion at the strategies I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF against small-stakes players, I wrote two books at the topic: Strategies for Beating Small Stakes Poker Tournaments and methods for Beating Small Stakes Poker Cash Games. You may get them at JonathanLittlePoker.com/books.
A polarized three-betting range includes the best possible hands and some hands that aren't quite ok to name a preflop raise with. That is an example of an ordinary polarized three-betting range:
It is perfect to three-bet with a polarized range versus players who will either four-bet or fold as a rule. Many good, aggressive players fall into this category. You will need to realize that your hand’s post-flop playability isn’t too important while you will rarely see a flop.
Notice that both the linear range and the polarized range examples contain about nine percent of hands. While 9 percent isn't a magic number, it is very important remember that players can three-bet the similar percentage of the time, but with drastically different ranges. Don't assume that every one three-bettors are three-betting with the similar set of hands.
In fact, the instance of a polarized range could encompass a distinct set of bluffing hands. This is another reasonable polarized three-betting range:
You must be more inclined to three-bet with hands containing a “blocker” (an ace or king), versus players who will most likely four-bet or fold. The presence of an ace or king for your bluffing hands makes it less likely that your opponent has a premium hand because there's one fewer ace or king within the deck. Against players who could also be inclined to name your three-bet, you wish to three-bet a variety that contains various suited connected hands since you will play postflop more often.
It is very important to know that once you three-bet with a polarized range, you might be calling with many hands that flop well, similar to 6-6, A-J, Q-10 suited, and 7-6 suited. Calling with these hands permits you to realize their post-flop equity versus three-betting them after which being forced to fold to a four-bet.
So, the following time you end up facing a preflop raise, wonder what you are expecting your opponent to do in the event you three-bet. In case you pay attention, you'll find many opportunities to get out of line with marginal holdings, allowing you to steal pots that you'd otherwise concede. Even though you steal just one preflop raise per hour, with the intention to add an enormous amount in your win rate ultimately. ♠
Read More... [Source: CardPlayer Poker News]
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