4-Bet
A 4-bet is the third re-raise in a preflop betting sequence. It occurs after an open-raise, a 3-bet, and then a raise on top. 4-bets signal extreme strength or a well-timed bluff, and they often commit a significant portion of the effective stack.
The 4-bet is a high-stakes preflop action that dramatically narrows hand ranges. When a player 4-bets, they are representing a very strong hand and putting immense pressure on the 3-bettor. In tournament poker, 4-bets carry extra weight because of ICM implications and the risk of elimination. A typical 4-bet sizing is 2.2x to 2.5x the 3-bet size. At deeper stacks (80bb+), there is room for 4-bet bluffs with hands that block the opponent's calling range, such as AKo, AQs, or even hands like A5s that block aces. At shorter stacks (below 30bb), a 4-bet is almost always an all-in because the pot-to-stack ratio leaves no room for postflop maneuvering. Constructing a balanced 4-bet range is critical. If you only 4-bet AA and KK, observant opponents will fold everything except their absolute best hands, and you will never get paid. By including some bluff 4-bets, you make your range unpredictable and force opponents to call lighter with hands like QQ or AKs. However, in ICM-heavy spots near a final table or bubble, 4-bet bluffing becomes far riskier and should be reduced significantly. The key to a profitable 4-bet strategy is understanding stack-to-pot ratios. At 100bb deep, a 4-bet to around 22bb still leaves room to fold. At 40bb deep, a 4-bet is essentially a commitment to put all chips in the middle. Recognizing this threshold helps you choose between a 4-bet and a flat call with hands at the top of your range.
Concrete example
In RangerPro's 100bb ranges, when the BTN faces a 3-bet from the BB, the 4-bet range is tight but balanced. It includes AA, KK, and AKs for value, while mixing in occasional bluffs with hands like A5s that block the opponent's strongest holdings.
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help Frequently Asked Questions
What hands should I 4-bet with in a tournament? expand_more
Your core 4-bet value range should include AA, KK, and often QQ and AKs. For bluffs, choose hands with ace blockers like A5s or A4s. Adjust based on stack depth: at 100bb you can include bluffs, but below 30bb your 4-bet should essentially be a shove with your strongest hands only.
What is the difference between a 4-bet and a squeeze? expand_more
A 4-bet occurs after an open, a 3-bet, and then a raise on top of the 3-bet. A squeeze happens when someone raises over an open and one or more callers. The squeeze targets the dead money from the callers, while a 4-bet specifically challenges the 3-bettor.
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