Fold to 4-Bet

Overview

Fold to 4-Bet (often abbreviated as F4B) is a key preflop statistic used in no-limit hold'em and other poker variants. It specifically tracks how often a player folds their hand when they have 3-bet and then face a 4-bet. This metric is crucial for understanding a player's tendency to continue after their initial aggression is re-raised.

Calculation

Fold to 4-Bet = (Number of times player folded to a 4-bet after 3-betting) / (Total number of times player faced a 4-bet after 3-betting) × 100%

For example, if a player 3-bets 10 times and faces a 4-bet on 6 of those occasions, folding 4 times, their Fold to 4-Bet is 4/6 = 66.7%.

Interpretation

• A low Fold to 4-Bet (e.g., under 30%) indicates a player rarely folds to 4-bets, meaning they often call or 5-bet. Such players tend to have strong ranges when 3-betting and are willing to play for stacks.
• A high Fold to 4-Bet (e.g., over 60%) suggests a player often 3-bets with a wide range and frequently folds when re-raised. This can be exploited by aggressive opponents who 4-bet light.

Strategic Implications

Knowing your own and opponents' Fold to 4-Bet helps in adjusting preflop strategies:

• Against a player with high F4B, you can 4-bet more frequently (even with marginal hands) to induce folds.
• Against a low F4B player, you should tighten your 4-betting range, as they are likely to continue.
• As a player, if your F4B is too high, opponents will exploit you by 4-betting light. Balancing your 3-betting range and having a plan versus 4-bets is essential.

Limitations

Sample size is important. A few hands can be misleading. Also, this stat does not distinguish between in-position and out-of-position scenarios, which can affect decision-making.

Related Concepts

• 3-Bet: A re-raise before the flop.
• 4-Bet: A re-raise of a 3-bet.
• 5-Bet: A re-raise of a 4-bet, often all-in.
• Fold Equity: The probability of causing an opponent to fold.
• 3-Bet Percentage: How often a player 3-bets.

In Tracking Software

Poker tracking tools like PokerTracker or Hold'em Manager display Fold to 4-Bet as a percentage in HUDs. It is often seen alongside other stats like 3-Bet and 4-Bet percentages to build a complete profile.