A8s A7s
K8s K7s K6s K5s K4s K3s K2s
Q8s Q7s Q6s Q5s Q4s Q3s Q2s
J8s J7s J6s J5s J4s J3s J2s
KTo QTo JTo T7s T6s T5s T4s T3s T2s
K9o Q9o J9o 96s 95s 94s 93s 92s
K8o Q8o J8o 86s 85s 84s 83s 82s
K7o Q7o J7o T7o 97o 87o 75s 74s 73s 72s
K6o Q6o J6o T6o 96o 86o 76o 65s 64s 63s 62s
K5o Q5o J5o T5o 95o 85o 75o 65o 55 54s 53s 52s
A4o K4o Q4o J4o T4o 94o 84o 74o 64o A4o 44 43s 42s
A3o K3o Q3o J3o T3o 93o 83o 73o 63o 53o 43o 33 32s
A2o K2o Q2o J2o T2o 92o 82o 72o 62o 52o 42o 32o 22
Modern 3-Bet Ranges
A Free Course to Boost your Pre-flop Edge
Peter Clarke
Table of Contents
1. About these Ranges
2. In Position vs. UTG
3. In Position vs. HJ
4. In Position vs. CO
5. SB vs. BU
6. BB vs. BU
7. BB vs. SB
8. Useful Terminology for 3-Betting
About These Ranges
The 3-Bet ranges recommended in this small course are approximations of Game
Theory Optimal pre-flop play. They may differ in minor ways from those
recommended by solvers and by other experts. I take every opportunity to explain
why I have recommended each range instead of simply spoon feeding charts.
Applying these ranges to your default game will improve your play and make you
more solid. That said, the mere application of a solid pre-flop 3-bet strategy is just
one ingredient of a strong poker game and solid win-rate. The implication of these
ranges alone will not necessarily be enough to transform a losing player into a
winning one. That said, 3-Betting is a very important area of your game to improve
for two reasons.
1. 3-Bet opportunities arise very frequently and thus have a profound effect on
win-rate.
2. On most sites, hands that do not go to the flop are not raked, this makes the
profits gained from pre-flop fold equity are more pure. It is, therefore, very
beneficial to 3-bet an aggressive range that looks to capitalize on pre-flop fold
equity.
The ranges in this course are default strategies. This means that they are the most
accurate way of playing against both strong balanced opponents and where there is
no indication that our opponent has an observable imbalance. Use these strategies
against unknowns and solid regulars alike but look to deviate in the following ways
as you gain more information on your opponent.
1. Widen up every 3-bet range against recreational players who open the pot
wide.
2. Develop more of a flat-calling range when in position with recreational players
waiting to act in the blinds. Drawing weaker players into the pot can be more
profitable than isolating a regular.
3. Tighten these ranges dramatically when opener is a very tight player who opens
much too strong of a range in the first place.
Finally, this miniature course does not cover every pre-flop 3-Bet opportunity
possible. I would advise the reader to use the patterns and ideas contained in the
ranges given to construct their own default ranges for spots that have not been
addressed here. This course does not cover squeeze ranges.
1.
In Position vs. UTG
The first four ranges we shall recommend do not build any kind of cold-calling range.
Instead, they choose to enter the pot for a 3-bet or not at all, making them fully
linear in shape. These days, calling opens in position is becoming increasingly
unpopular and for good reason. We pay rake on every pot that goes to the flop and
so the lure of taking down pots pre-flop is irresistible. This first range assume the
UTG opener is playing a snug normal strategy of raising around 14%-19% of hands.
3-Bet 25%
3-Bet 100% Fold 75%
3-Bet 50%
Fold 50% Fold
AA AKs AQs AJs ATs A9s A8s A7s A6s A5s A4s A3s A2s
AKo KK KQs KJs KTs K9s K8s K7s K6s K5s K4s K3s K2s
AQo KQo QQ QJs QTs Q9s Q8s Q7s Q6s Q5s Q4s Q3s Q2s
AJo KJo QJo JJ JTs J9s J8s J7s J6s J5s J4s J3s J2s
ATo KTo QTo JTo TT T9s T8s T7s T6s T5s T4s T3s T2s
A9o K9o Q9o J9o T9o 99 98s 97s 96s 95s 94s 93s 92s
A8o K8o Q8o J8o T8o 98o 88 87s 86s 85s 84s 83s 82s
A7o K7o Q7o J7o T7o 97o 87o 77 76s 75s 74s 73s 72s
A6o K6o Q6o J6o T6o 96o 86o 76o 66 65s 64s 63s 62s
A5o K5o Q5o J5o T5o 95o 85o 75o 65o 55 54s 53s 52s
A4o K4o Q4o J4o T4o 94o 84o 74o 64o 54o 44 43s 42s
A3o K3o Q3o J3o T3o 93o 83o 73o 63o 53o 43o 33 32s
A2o K2o Q2o J2o T2o 92o 82o 72o 62o 52o 42o 32o 22
Combos: 99 3-Bet Frequency : 7.5% 2.
In Position vs. HJ
HJ’s opening range usually expands to about 19-23% of hands. As a result our 3-Bet
range expands also. There is still no need to develop a calling range here unless
incentivized by a weaker table.
3-Bet 25%
3-Bet 100% Fold 75%
3-Bet 50%
Fold 50% Fold
AA AKs AQs AJs ATs A9s A8s A7s A6s A5s A4s A3s A2s
AKo KK KQs KJs KTs K9s K8s K7s K6s K5s K4s K3s K2s
AQo KQo QQ QJs QTs Q9s Q8s Q7s Q6s Q5s Q4s Q3s Q2s
AJo KJo QJo JJ JTs J9s J8s J7s J6s J5s J4s J3s J2s
ATo KTo QTo JTo TT T9s T8s T7s T6s T5s T4s T3s T2s
A9o K9o Q9o J9o T9o 99 98s 97s 96s 95s 94s 93s 92s
A8o K8o Q8o J8o T8o 98o 88 87s 86s 85s 84s 83s 82s
A7o K7o Q7o J7o T7o 97o 87o 77 76s 75s 74s 73s 72s
A6o K6o Q6o J6o T6o 96o 86o 76o 66 65s 64s 63s 62s
A5o K5o Q5o J5o T5o 95o 85o 75o 65o 55 54s 53s 52s
A4o K4o Q4o J4o T4o 94o 84o 74o 64o 54o 44 43s 42s
A3o K3o Q3o J3o T3o 93o 83o 73o 63o 53o 43o 33 32s
A2o K2o Q2o J2o T2o 92o 82o 72o 62o 52o 42o 32o 22
Combos: 118 3-Bet Frequency : 9%
3.
In Position vs. CO
CO is the first so called ‘steal’ position and where opening ranges start to widen
dramatically. An aggressive regular might open something like 30-35% of hands from
this seat. Consequentially, our frequency increases, the urge to build a flatting range,
however, is still negligible without incentives lurking in the blinds.
3-Bet 25%
3-Bet 100% Fold 75%
3-Bet 50%
Fold 50% Fold
AA AKs AQs AJs ATs A9s A8s A7s A6s A5s A4s A3s A2s
AKo KK KQs KJs KTs K9s K8s K7s K6s K5s K4s K3s K2s
AQo KQo QQ QJs QTs Q9s Q8s Q7s Q6s Q5s Q4s Q3s Q2s
AJo KJo QJo JJ JTs J9s J8s J7s J6s J5s J4s J3s J2s
ATo KTo QTo JTo TT T9s T8s T7s T6s T5s T4s T3s T2s
A9o K9o Q9o J9o T9o 99 98s 97s 96s 95s 94s 93s 92s
A8o K8o Q8o J8o T8o 98o 88 87s 86s 85s 84s 83s 82s
A7o K7o Q7o J7o T7o 97o 87o 77 76s 75s 74s 73s 72s
A6o K6o Q6o J6o T6o 96o 86o 76o 66 65s 64s 63s 62s
A5o K5o Q5o J5o T5o 95o 85o 75o 65o 55 54s 53s 52s
A4o K4o Q4o J4o T4o 94o 84o 74o 64o 54o 44 43s 42s
A3o K3o Q3o J3o T3o 93o 83o 73o 63o 53o 43o 33 32s
A2o K2o Q2o J2o T2o 92o 82o 72o 62o 52o 42o 32o 22
Combos: 215 3-Bet Frequency : 16%
4.
SB vs. BU
From the SB we are disincentivised from calling opens due to the fact that we are
not closing the action and have significantly worse pot odds than we would have in
the BB. The strategies we just examined for in position play can also be used in the
SB vs. their respective positions. With a weaker player in the BB it might be lucrative
to build a flat-calling range here, but otherwise we shall play like this vs. a BU open.
3-Bet 25%
3-Bet 100% Fold 75%
3-Bet 50%
Fold 50% Fold
AA AKs AQs AJs ATs A9s A8s A7s A6s A5s A4s A3s A2s
AKo KK KQs KJs KTs K9s K8s K7s K6s K5s K4s K3s K2s
AQo KQo QQ QJs QTs Q9s Q8s Q7s Q6s Q5s Q4s Q3s Q2s
AJo KJo QJo JJ JTs J9s J8s J7s J6s J5s J4s J3s J2s
ATo KTo QTo JTo TT T9s T8s T7s T6s T5s T4s T3s T2s
A9o K9o Q9o J9o T9o 99 98s 97s 96s 95s 94s 93s 92s
A8o K8o Q8o J8o T8o 98o 88 87s 86s 85s 84s 83s 82s
A7o K7o Q7o J7o T7o 97o 87o 77 76s 75s 74s 73s 72s
A6o K6o Q6o J6o T6o 96o 86o 76o 66 65s 64s 63s 62s
A5o K5o Q5o J5o T5o 95o 85o 75o 65o 55 54s 53s 52s
A4o K4o Q4o J4o T4o 94o 84o 74o 64o 54o 44 43s 42s
A3o K3o Q3o J3o T3o 93o 83o 73o 63o 53o 43o 33 32s
A2o K2o Q2o J2o T2o 92o 82o 72o 62o 52o 42o 32o 22
Combos: 234 3-Bet Frequency : 18%
5.
BB vs. BU 2.5X
From the BB we will always have a flatting range and so we now have a new hand
group available - call. Hands stronger than this group will tend to 3-bet for value or
mix 3-betting with calling. Some hands from this call group will also elect to 3-bet as
a bluff with some frequency. Such a strategy is known as a mixed polarized strategy
where there are two distinct types of 3Bet range – value bets and bluffs and these
are sometimes mixed with call option.
3-Bet 50%
3-Bet 100% Call 50%
Call Fold
AA AKs AQs AJs ATs A9s A8s A7s A6s A5s A4s A3s A2s
AKo KK KQs KJs KTs K9s K8s K7s K6s K5s K4s K3s K2s
AQo KQo QQ QJs QTs Q9s Q8s Q7s Q6s Q5s Q4s Q3s Q2s
AJo KJo QJo JJ JTs J9s J8s J7s J6s J5s J4s J3s J2s
ATo KTo QTo JTo TT T9s T8s T7s T6s T5s T4s T3s T2s
A9o K9o Q9o J9o T9o 99 98s 97s 96s 95s 94s 93s 92s
A8o K8o Q8o J8o T8o 98o 88 87s 86s 85s 84s 83s 82s
A7o K7o Q7o J7o T7o 97o 87o 77 76s 75s 74s 73s 72s
A6o K6o Q6o J6o T6o 96o 86o 76o 66 65s 64s 63s 62s
A5o K5o Q5o J5o T5o 95o 85o 75o 65o 55 54s 53s 52s
A4o K4o Q4o J4o T4o 94o 84o 74o 64o 54o 44 43s 42s
A3o K3o Q3o J3o T3o 93o 83o 73o 63o 53o 43o 33 32s
A2o K2o Q2o J2o T2o 92o 82o 72o 62o 52o 42o 32o 22
Combos: 176 3-Bet Frequency : 13%
6.
BB vs. SB 2.5X
Blind vs. blind the battle really heats up and ranges widen even more. As the big
blind we will again adopt a polarized strategy and will widen our calling range
significantly given that we now have position and are in many cases against an even
wider range. Note that against opponents who do not fold much to 3-bets we should
not apply such a strategy, favouring a more linear approach (3-Betting from the top
down). We have left the 3-Bet bluffs the same here for ease of memorisation.
3-Bet 50%
3-Bet 100% Call 50%
Call Fold
AA AKs AQs AJs ATs A9s A8s A7s A6s A5s A4s A3s A2s
AKo KK KQs KJs KTs K9s K8s K7s K6s K5s K4s K3s K2s
AQo KQo QQ QJs QTs Q9s Q8s Q7s Q6s Q5s Q4s Q3s Q2s
AJo KJo QJo JJ JTs J9s J8s J7s J6s J5s J4s J3s J2s
ATo KTo QTo JTo TT T9s T8s T7s T6s T5s T4s T3s T2s
A9o K9o Q9o J9o T9o 99 98s 97s 96s 95s 94s 93s 92s
A8o K8o Q8o J8o T8o 98o 88 87s 86s 85s 84s 83s 82s
A7o K7o Q7o J7o T7o 97o 87o 77 76s 75s 74s 73s 72s
A6o K6o Q6o J6o T6o 96o 86o 76o 66 65s 64s 63s 62s
A5o K5o Q5o J5o T5o 95o 85o 75o 65o 55 54s 53s 52s
A4o K4o Q4o J4o T4o 94o 84o 74o 64o 54o 44 43s 42s
A3o K3o Q3o J3o T3o 93o 83o 73o 63o 53o 43o 33 32s
A2o K2o Q2o J2o T2o 92o 82o 72o 62o 52o 42o 32o 22
Combos: 176 3-Bet Frequency : 13%
7.
Useful 3-Betting Terminology
Fold Equity: The amount of the time we win the pot by all other players folding. This
value is unknown and usually only estimated.
Linear: A range that is comprised by taking an action with the top X% of hands,
terminating where we consider a hand too weak to take that action.
Mixed: A range that contains at least some sub-range that takes one action some %
of the time and a different action some other % of the time.
Mixed-Linear: A range that selects its hands from AA downwards until a hand
becomes to weak to take X action. Also a range that mixes some of its hands
between different actions.
Mixed-Polar: A range that selects its hands using two distinct groups: value seeking
and fold equity seeking, but one that mixes actions with some of its hands.
Polarised: A range that has two distinct parts: value seeking hands and fold equity
seeking hands (known commonly as bluffs).
Rake: The cut of the pot taken by the poker site as a fee for providing the gaming
service. Rake is commonly only paid on pots that go to the flop, increasing the
importance of aggressive 3-betting, particularly at low-stakes where rake is higher.
8.
