What is a Successful 4-Bet Strategy and How to Use It?

When done correctly and timely, the 4-bet can provide a much-needed boost to your hourly win rate over time. The 4-bet technique allows you to take advantage of aggressive opponents and turn their strengths into weaknesses.

In this article, we will discuss what a successful 4-bet strategy is and why you should add this to your Texas Hold’em poker tools.

What is a 4-bet in poker?

4-Bet

It is always better to play premium hands strongly than slow-playing

If you want to play poker seriously, or just to have fun playing, you will eventually find yourself in 4-bet situations. All poker players should be able to use this strategy at the table and win against all types of opponents. It’s not as simple as you might think.

Continue reading to learn more about how bold poker play can produce great results when used in the right circumstances.

How does a 4-bet work?

4-Bet

A 3-bettor is someone who re-raises an initial pre-flop raise. A 4-bettor is someone willing to re-raise the 3-bet player.

We mention pre-flop raises because it is more common to use 4-betting before the community cards are shown. Players 4-betting based on the strength of their hole cards as well as their opponents.

There are many reasons to 4-bet with your poker hand. You might want to get maximum value out of players who have poor hands and can’t let go. You might be bold enough to use a 4-bet as a bluff, and there are certain situations where a 4-bet bluff is most effective.

When to place a 4-bet

A 4-bet can be very profitable if you have a premium hand or the nuts. It’s better to play premium hands in No-Limit Hold’em than to slow-play to trap your opponents. Slow-playing hands can sometimes be advantageous, but playing strong hands will allow you to build a larger pot and extract more value from your opponents.

If you’re facing a 3-bet from your opponent pre-flop, and you have pocket kings or aces, it’s a good idea for you to 4-bet most times. When your pre-flop hand is better than theirs, you’ll help build funds into the pot.

A 4-bet should be used when you are playing out-of-position. This can be a scary leap into unknown territory, but it can work against players who lack faith and fold quickly to aggressive opponents.

How your opponents come into play

The decisions you make about when and how often you 4-bet can be heavily influenced by your opponents. When you’re playing against aggressive and loose gameplay, 4-bets can be a good strategy.

As you progress through the poker ranks, 4-bet bluffs will be an essential skill. They will help you survive when tournaments go deep or you play against more experienced players for bigger prizes.

4-betting can be very useful against aggressive 3-bettors who aren’t afraid of raising an initial raiser with a wide variety of holdings, especially if they are the victim of a 4-bet. Against tight and unafraid opponents, however, 4-betting is almost useless.

If you are willing to 4-bet aggressive, imposing players, it shows the rest of your table that you aren’t a shrinking violet. It also shows that you have confidence and trust in your abilities. This can help you gain the respect that can be used to extract value from hands that might be bluffing in the future.

How to respond to a 4-bet

If you are up against someone who regularly 4-bets against you after your 3-bet, keep in mind that you will often get good odds to flat-call. This can sometimes be as high as 3 or 4 to 1. It could be a profitable decision to make long-term if you have 25-30% equity compared to your opponent’s 4-bet range.

4-bet tips and strategies

When you begin to use a 4-bet strategy, you mustn’t just use your hands arbitrarily. Semi-bluffs which could turn weak holdings into competitive holes cards on the flop are opportunistic. Choose the right moment to 4-bet, rather than betting with two hole cards at once.

Statistics show that suited aces are the best hands for a 4-bet situation. Because you have an ace in your hand, the chances of the 3-bettor having 2 aces in their hand are reduced. Pre-flop outs are also possible with suited aces, whether it be straight draws or nut flush draws.

This will help your original 4-bet to pay off.

You might also consider 4-betting using suited connectors that aren’t strong enough for you to call and see a fail. Off-suit face cards hands such as KQ offsuit or JQ offsuit could be useful 4-betting hands. This will keep premium holdings out of your hands and increase your chances of improving to a broadway hand.

Conclusion

If you’re willing to learn and apply this information to your advantage, then you can successfully use the 4-bet technique at the poker table!