What is a Cold 4-Bet?

A cold 4-bet is a preflop raise made by a player who has not yet invested any chips in the current hand, after there has been an open-raise and a 3-bet. The 'cold' part means you are entering the action for the first time with a raise, not continuing after you already called or raised. This is different from a regular 4-bet, where you are re-raising after you have already put money in the pot (for example, you raised, someone 3-bet, and you 4-bet).

A cold 4-bet is a powerful but rare move. It typically signals a very strong hand, because you are facing two players who have shown strength: the original raiser and the 3-bettor. However, it can also be used as a bluff in certain situations, especially against aggressive players who 3-bet too often. But at low-stakes live games, cold 4-bets are almost always for value.

This raise in the sequence

To understand a cold 4-bet, you need to see the preflop action sequence. Here is a typical example:

1. Player A raises to 3 big blinds (BB) with a strong hand.
2. Player B 3-bets to 9 BB with a wide range.
3. Player C, who has not yet acted, cold 4-bets to 22 BB.

Player C is making a cold 4-bet. They have not called or raised before this point. Their raise is a direct response to the 3-bet, but they are also re-raising the original opener.

How much to cold 4-bet

A cold 4-bet should be larger than a standard 4-bet because you are squeezing two players. A typical size is around 2.2 to 2.5 times the 3-bet size. For example, if the 3-bet is to 9 BB, a cold 4-bet to 20-23 BB is common. This size puts pressure on both opponents and gives you a clear commitment if you are called.

Who cold 4-bets and why

This table is a general guide, not a solver output. The exact range depends on the tendencies of your opponents.

When not to cold 4-bet

Do not cold 4-bet as a bluff at low-stakes live games. Most players at these stakes do not 3-bet often enough, and they will not fold to a 4-bet often enough. If you cold 4-bet with a hand like A5s or KQ, you will often get called by better hands and lose money.

Also, do not cold 4-bet if the original raiser is a tight player who rarely raises, or if the 3-bettor is a passive player who only 3-bets with premium hands. In those spots, your cold 4-bet will only get action from hands that beat you.

Finally, avoid cold 4-betting when you are short-stacked (for example, under 30 BB). With a short stack, you are better off shoving all-in or folding, because a standard cold 4-bet commits too much of your stack without giving you room to maneuver.

Leaks on this raise

• Cold 4-betting too wide: Many players cold 4-bet with hands like JJ or AQ because they look strong. But against a raise and a 3-bet, these hands are often dominated. Stick to QQ+, AK, and occasionally JJ or AQs in late position.
• Cold 4-betting as a bluff without a plan: If you cold 4-bet as a bluff, you must be prepared to fold to a 5-bet shove. But at low stakes, most players do not fold to 4-bets, so bluffing is rarely profitable.
• Using the wrong size: A cold 4-bet that is too small (for example, only 2x the 3-bet) gives your opponents good odds to call with speculative hands. A cold 4-bet that is too large (for example, 3x the 3-bet) may fold out worse hands and only get called by better ones.
• Ignoring the original raiser's range: If the original raiser is a tight player who only opens with premium hands, your cold 4-bet is less likely to succeed. You need to consider both opponents' ranges, not just the 3-bettor.

The next decision after a cold 4-bet

After you make a cold 4-bet, the action is on the 3-bettor. They can fold, call, or 5-bet (usually all-in). Your next decision depends on their action:

• If they fold: You win the pot without a showdown. This is a good result, especially if you were bluffing.
• If they call: You will see a flop. You need to be careful, because your opponent likely has a strong hand. Play postflop based on the board texture and your hand strength. If you have a premium pair like QQ or KK, you can continue for value on most flops. If you have AK and miss, you may need to check-fold to a bet.
• If they 5-bet all-in: This is a critical moment. You must decide whether to call or fold. If you cold 4-bet with a hand like QQ or AK, you should usually call, because your opponent's 5-bet range is often AA, KK, and sometimes AK. If you cold 4-bet as a bluff, you should fold.

This raise in the sequence

TAKE example: You are on the button with QQ. The under-the-gun player raises to 3 BB, and the cutoff 3-bets to 10 BB. You cold 4-bet to 24 BB. The cutoff calls. The flop comes 7-2-2 rainbow. You bet 30 BB into a pot of about 51 BB. Your opponent folds. You win a nice pot without showdown.

DON'T example: You are in the big blind with AQ. The player under the gun raises to 3 BB, and the small blind 3-bets to 10 BB. You cold 4-bet to 24 BB. The small blind shoves all-in for 100 BB. You call, but they show AA. You lose your stack. AQ is not a hand to cold 4-bet with, especially out of position.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a 4-bet and a cold 4-bet?

A standard 4-bet is a re-raise after you have already put money in the pot (for example, you raised, someone 3-bet, and you 4-bet). A cold 4-bet is a re-raise made by a player who has not yet acted in the hand, so they are entering the pot for the first time with a raise.

Is a cold 4-bet always for value?

No, but at low-stakes live games it is almost always for value. In higher-stakes games or against aggressive opponents, a cold 4-bet can be used as a bluff, but it is risky because you are representing a very strong hand.

What hands should I cold 4-bet with?

In most situations, you should cold 4-bet with QQ, KK, AA, and AK. In late position, you can add JJ and AQs occasionally, but only if the 3-bettor is aggressive and likely to fold to pressure.

What should I do if I get 5-bet after a cold 4-bet?

If you get 5-bet all-in, you need to compare your hand to your opponent's likely range. If you have AA or KK, you should call. With QQ or AK, it depends on the opponent. If they are tight, you can fold QQ and AK. If they are aggressive, you can call. If you cold 4-bet as a bluff, you should fold.