A common leak for many regulars (regs) is a lack of 3betting aggression from the BB.
Conversely, many regs are close to a GTO 3bet frequency from the SB and even potentially surpass GTO poker 3bet frequencies from the BTN positions and earlier. This situation leaves the BB position specifically in need of work.
We can further divide BB 3betting into two broad categories:
- 3betting against opponents who are IP (BTN and earlier)
- 3betting against the SB
3betting against the SB is the low-hanging fruit here for a couple of key reasons:
- The SB RFI range is often wide and will fold more frequently to a 3bet compared to other positions.
- We get to play in position postflop when we get action.
BB 3betting Range vs SB 3x Open
We should defend roughly half of the time out of the BB against a SB 3bb open raise.
Solver defending frequencies will be like the following –
- Cold Call ~31%
- 3bet ~18.8%
Note that this means we are supposed to 3bet nearly 1 in 5 hands that we get.
Many poker regs will have closer to 10% 3bet frequency in this scenario. This fact is true despite 3betting somewhat aggressively,
Let’s deconstruct a solver 3betting range for a solver.
3bet Range – Value Region
Understanding the value region is straightforward. The following hands,99+, suited broadways, and AJo+/KQo are either pure 3bets or mixed into the 3betting range with some frequency.
Most players understand this and often 3bet appropriately. The missing frequency typically originates from the poker bluff, semi-bluff region.
3bet Range – Semi-bluff Region
The following holdings need to be 3bet as a semi-bluff (with some frequency). This strategy helps to balance out the value region (assuming balance is necessary, which it usually is not).
- Lower off-suit Ax (e.g., A3o)
- Suited high cards (e.g., Ax, Kx, Qx, Jx and Tx suited)
- Suited connectors (e.g., 54s)
- Suited one-gappers (E. e.g., T8s)
- Off-suit high cards (e.g., K7o, Q9o, J9o)
Rather than attempt to memorise precise 3betting strategies and frequencies, it’s better to have a solid grasp of the big picture.
We are 3bet for value while also ensuring 3betting aggressively with a selection of non-premiums.
The precise semi-bluff selection is not that critical, especially when we consider that a slight change in our opponents’ tendencies could result in a significantly different selection of optimal 3bets.
Adjustments to the GTO Strategy
The solver 3bet strategy assumes that SB will be folding around 62% of the time vs a 9bb BB 3bet after open raising to 3bb.
When examining player pools in most poker games, we find that the SB typically folds less often than this. Our weaker 3bets become less significant as a result.
The logical approach is then to strengthen the semi-bluff region. So, instead of 3betting holdings like J3s, we prefer to 3bet holdings like K8s etc.
This fact technically means our 3betting strategy becomes unbalanced towards strength. However, so long as our opponent continues to under-fold, it increases our profitability and ensures we don’t make any losing semi-bluffs.
On the flip side, if we run into opponents who are folding noticeably above 62% of the time, we can increase our poker chips value by pushing our 3betting strategy even wider and weaker.
Key Takeaway – Blind vs Blind 3betting
As we’ve demonstrated, the precise composition of the 3bet semi-bluff region is not essential and will depend heavily on Villain. Our job is to ensure that the semi-bluff region exists and is sufficiently mixed across a range of different types of holdings.
