What is a 4-Bet?

A 4-bet is the re-raise after a 3-bet in no-limit hold'em. Posting the big blind is the 1-bet, an open-raise is the 2-bet, the first re-raise is the 3-bet, and the re-raise after that 3-bet is the 4-bet. If they 3-bet to 9bb and you raise to 22bb, that is a 4-bet. If you jam 40bb over the same 3-bet, that is also a 4-bet.

A cold 4-bet is a 4-bet from a player who has not yet put money in besides the blinds: someone opened, someone 3-bet, and you re-raise without having entered. That is still a 4-bet, just from a colder seat. If they raise again after your 4-bet, that next raise is a 5-bet.

What a 4-bet is

• The re-raise after a 3-bet.
• A cold 4-bet (you have not entered besides blinds) is still a 4-bet.
• Typical cash size versus a 3-bet at 100bb: about 2.2x to 2.5x that 3-bet.

How much to 4-bet (sizing)

Versus a 3-bet, cash-game sizes cluster around a few bands. These are typical starting points, not solver output. Do not copy open-raise 3-bet sizes here.

Do not invent a HUD 4-bet%. Size with the 3-bet you face, position, and stack depth.

Who to 4-bet (hot vs cold)

The 4-bet you make after you already opened is hotter than a cold 4-bet. Cold 4-bets should be tighter. Do not use a button-vs-cutoff 3-bet lecture as the 4-bet table.

Value 4-bet vs bluff 4-bet

A value 4-bet is a hand that beats a lot of the 3-bet calling range: QQ, KK, AA, and AK are the usual core. You want calls from worse 3-bets.

A bluff 4-bet needs fold equity and usually a blocker. It is not the main example. Do not 4-bet 98s as the default, and do not teach A5s as the default 4-bet bluff versus a sticky 3-bettor. If they never fold a 3-bet, stop bluff 4-betting.

Example spots

Spot 1: Value 4-bet with QQ vs a button 3-bet

You are in the cutoff at 100bb effective. A tight-aggressive player on the button 3-bets your open to 9bb. You look down at QQ. This is a clear value 4-bet. You are not just calling to set-mine; you are raising for value because QQ is ahead of the button's 3-betting range, which typically includes hands like JJ+, AQ+, and some bluffs. You make it 22bb (about 2.4x the 3-bet). This sizing puts pressure on the button's bluffs and gets value from worse hands like JJ or AK that might call. If the button 5-bets, you have a decision based on stack depth and reads, but you are not folding QQ to most 5-bets at 100bb unless you have a strong read that the opponent only 5-bets with AA/KK.

Spot 2: Don't 4-bet bluff with 98s against a tight 3-bettor

You are in the hijack at 100bb effective. A nit in the small blind 3-bets your open to 10bb. You have 98s. This is a tempting 4-bet bluff because the hand has good playability, but against a nit's 3-betting range (which is likely QQ+ and AK), your 4-bet bluff has very little fold equity. The nit will not fold those hands to a 4-bet, and you will be forced to fold to a 5-bet or play a bloated pot out of position with a weak hand. Instead, you should fold 98s here. A 4-bet bluff is only profitable when your opponent's 3-betting range contains enough hands that will fold to a 4-bet, such as light 3-bets from aggressive players. Against a tight range, your bluff is burning money.

When not to 4-bet

• When you are short-stacked (under 40bb): With a short stack, 4-betting to a non-all-in size commits you to the pot anyway. It is usually better to either jam directly over the 3-bet or fold. A small 4-bet with a short stack gives your opponent great odds to call and puts you in awkward spots on later streets.

• When your opponent's 3-betting range is extremely tight: If you are up against a player who only 3-bets with QQ+ and AK, 4-betting as a bluff is pointless because they will never fold. Even with value hands like QQ, you might consider just calling to keep their bluffs in, but if they never bluff, you can 4-bet for value and fold to a 5-bet if you are deep enough.

• When you are out of position and deep-stacked (150bb+): Deep stacks increase the cost of 4-betting and make post-flop play more complex. If you 4-bet and get called, you will be out of position with a large pot and a wide range. In this situation, you might prefer to call with some strong hands to keep the pot smaller and use your positional advantage.

• When you have a hand that plays well multiway or post-flop but not against a 5-bet: Hands like small pairs or suited connectors are often better as calls to a 3-bet if you have the odds to set-mine or see a flop. 4-betting them turns them into a bluff, which is only profitable if you have fold equity. If you don't, you are wasting chips.

• When you are in a multiway pot: If there are multiple callers of the 3-bet, 4-betting becomes riskier because you are building a huge pot with a hand that might not be best. In multiway pots, you should generally only 4-bet with very strong hands (QQ+ or AK) and avoid bluffing.

Facing a 5-bet

If they 5-bet large at 100bb, fold most 4-bet bluffs. Continue with the top of your value (often AA, KK, and sometimes QQ or AK depending on the size). Stack depth changes this: a short stack may already be committed, a deep stack can still fold leftover bluffs. Do not default to calling huge 5-bets with leftover 4-bet bluffs.

Common mistakes

• Thinking a 4-bet means raising 4 times the big blind: A 4-bet is the fourth bet in the betting sequence (blinds, open, 3-bet, 4-bet). It has nothing to do with a 4x sizing rule. Sizing is typically 2.2x–2.5x the 3-bet, not 4x the big blind.

• 4-betting too many hands as bluffs: Many players 4-bet bluff with hands like 98s or A5s too often. These hands have good post-flop playability but poor fold equity against tight 3-betting ranges. Only 4-bet bluff when your opponent's 3-betting range is wide and they are likely to fold to pressure.

• Using a uniform 4-bet size regardless of position or stack depth: Your 4-bet size should vary. In position, you can use a smaller size (2.2x) because you have the advantage of acting last. Out of position, you might need a larger size (2.5x) to discourage calls. When short-stacked, you should just jam instead of making a small 4-bet.

• Calling 5-bets with bluff 4-bets: If you 4-bet bluff and get 5-bet, you must fold. Continuing with a bluff is a classic leak. Your bluff has failed, and you are now risking your entire stack with a weak hand.

• 4-betting for value with hands that are not strong enough: Some players 4-bet hands like TT or AQ for value, but these hands are often dominated by the opponent's 5-betting range. At 100bb, a 4-bet for value should be QQ+ or AK. With TT or AQ, you are better off calling the 3-bet or folding.

• Ignoring the cold 4-bet scenario: A cold 4-bet (when you 4-bet without having opened the pot) is a very strong move. It represents an extremely tight range (usually QQ+ and AK). If you cold 4-bet with a bluff, you are risking a lot and will often get called or 5-bet by strong hands. Only cold 4-bet with premium hands unless you have a specific read.

Frequently asked questions

What is a 4-bet in poker?

The re-raise after a 3-bet. Posting the big blind is the 1-bet, the open is the 2-bet, the first re-raise is the 3-bet, and the next re-raise is the 4-bet. How much should you 4-bet?

Versus a 3-bet at about 100bb, start around 2.2x to 2.5x the 3-bet (for example a 9bb 3-bet to about 22–25bb). Out of position, size a bit larger. Short stacks often jam instead of making a small 4-bet. What is a cold 4-bet?

A cold 4-bet is a 4-bet made by a player who has not yet put any money into the pot voluntarily other than the blinds. For example, if the button opens, the small blind 3-bets, and the big blind 4-bets, that is a cold 4-bet. It represents an extremely strong range because the player is entering a large pot without having invested anything. Should I 4-bet or call a 3-bet with AK?

At 100bb, AK is a strong hand that can be 4-bet for value, but it is also a hand that can be called to keep the opponent's range wide. Generally, you should 4-bet AK when you are out of position to take the initiative, and you can call in position to see a flop. If you 4-bet and face a 5-bet, you need to decide based on the opponent's tendencies and stack depth. What is the difference between a 4-bet and a 5-bet?

A 4-bet is the re-raise after a 3-bet. A 5-bet is the next raise after a 4-bet. In most cases, a 5-bet is an all-in move, especially at 100bb. The 5-bet is the final raise preflop, and once it is made, the action is either call or fold. How does stack depth affect 4-bet sizing?

Stack depth is crucial. At 100bb, a standard 4-bet is about 2.2x–2.5x the 3-bet. When you are short-stacked under 40bb, you should usually jam instead of making a small 4-bet, because a small 4-bet would commit you to the pot anyway. When deep-stacked 150bb+, you might use a larger size to discourage calls, but you also need to be careful not to build a huge pot with a marginal hand.