How to 3-Bet Like a Pro | Upswing Poker Level-Up

Summary

In the Upswing Poker Level Up podcast, Mike Brady discusses three betting strategies with Gary Blackwood. They cover when to three bet, deciding hands for value, bluff candidates, sizing, and the impact of position and stack depth on three bet strategy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of a balanced three bet range and provides insights into specific hand ranges for different positions.

Takeaways

• 🃏 The importance of a well-thought-out three-bet strategy has increased due to its frequent use in modern poker play.
• ⚒️ Players should adapt their three-bet strategy based on their position and the position of their opponent's open raise.
• 📏 The size of the three-bet is crucial and should be adjusted based on the opponent's raise size and stack depth.
• 🔑 Including bluffs in the three-bet range is essential for balance and to avoid being exploitable by opponents.
• 👜 The value range for three-betting is narrower from early position but widens as the opening position becomes later.
• 📉 The impact of rake on win rates should be minimized by avoiding flat calls, which can be achieved by a three-bet or fold strategy.
• 🤔 The three-bet size should be larger out of position to discourage opponents from calling with a wide range of hands.
• 💡 Board coverage is important in the three-bet bluff range to ensure profitability on various flop textures.
• 🛑 Disastrous hands like pocket threes or suited gappers should be avoided in the three-bet range as they are poor bluff candidates.
• 🔄 The range of hands to three-bet from the small blind is significantly wider against a button raise compared to an early position raise.
• 💰 The advanced solver ranges from Upswing Poker Lab provide a valuable tool for players looking to refine their three-bet strategy.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the Upswing Poker Level Up podcast episode?

The main topic of discussion is three betting in poker, specifically how to approach three betting, also known as reraising before the flop.

Why is having a well-thought-out three bet strategy important according to Gary Blackwood?

Gary Blackwood emphasizes that a well-thought-out three bet strategy is important because three betting is now a common part of the game and opponents are likely to have solid three bet strategies themselves.

How does position affect the value three bet range according to the discussion?

Position significantly affects the value three bet range. For instance, when facing an early position open, the value range is narrower, but it widens when facing a late position open like the cutoff.

What is the general sizing strategy for three bets in and out of position?

The general sizing strategy is to go three times the opponent's raise size when in position and four times when out of position.

Why is it suggested to adjust the three bet size when facing smaller opens from opponents?

Adjusting the three bet size is suggested to counter opponents who open with smaller sizes to keep the pot small out of position. If only a standard three times the raise size is used, it allows them to exploit the player.

Why is it important to include bluffs in the three bet range?

Including bluffs in the three bet range is crucial for maintaining balance. Without bluffs, the range would be too narrow and exploitable, and the player would miss out on opportunities to win pots with a wider range.

What types of hands are considered good three bet bluffs according to Gary?

Hands like suited ace x, suited double broadway, and low suited connectors are considered good three bet bluffs, especially from certain positions like the big blind.

How does the stack depth affect the optimal three bet size?

Stack depth affects the optimal three bet size by requiring adjustments based on the depth of the stacks. Smaller stacks may require a smaller three bet size for more post-flop playability, while deeper stacks may allow for a slightly larger size.

What is the special consideration for three bet sizing from the big blind position?

From the big blind position, a more polarized range is used, which often includes a higher three bet size, such as 4.5 times the original raise, to reflect the polarized hand range and being out of position.

What is the recommended approach for playing from positions like the cutoff or middle position?

The recommended approach is to play a three bet or fold strategy from these positions to avoid the negative impacts of flatting, such as capped range and increased vulnerability to squeeze plays.

What is the Upswing Poker Lab and how can it help players improve their three bet strategy?

The Upswing Poker Lab is a training course that provides advanced solver ranges and over 85 lessons covering crucial strategy topics, play and explain videos, and access to a community for discussions, which can significantly help players refine their three bet strategy.