What is a Squeeze in Poker?

A squeeze is a raise made after an opponent has raised and at least one other player has called that raise. The goal is to win the dead money already in the pot by forcing both the original raiser and the callers to fold. It is not a pure bluff; it is a semi-bluff that works because the callers usually have capped, medium-strength hands, and the original raiser is unlikely to continue without a premium hand.

This raise in the sequence

In the betting sequence, a squeeze is a raise over a raise and a call. For example, if the under-the-gun player raises to 3bb, the button calls, and you are in the big blind, a raise to 12bb is a squeeze. The key is that you are not just 3-betting the original raiser; you are also attacking the caller's dead money.

How much to raise

A standard squeeze size is 3 to 4 times the original raise, plus one more big blind for each caller. In the example above, the original raise was 3bb, and there was one caller, so a raise to 12bb (3 * 3bb + 1bb) is typical. If there are two callers, you might raise to 15bb. The exact size depends on your position and the tendencies of your opponents.

Who squeezes and who gets squeezed

Squeezes are most effective from the blinds or from late position, because you have position on the original raiser and the callers. The best targets are loose raisers who open too wide and callers who are passive and likely to fold to a big raise. You should avoid squeezing against tight, aggressive players who are likely to 4-bet you.

Two worked spots

Spot 1: The squeeze that works

You are in the big blind with 9♠ 8♠. The under-the-gun player raises to 3bb, the cutoff calls, and the button calls. The pot is 10.5bb. You raise to 15bb. The original raiser folds, the cutoff folds, and the button folds. You win the pot without a showdown. This is a successful squeeze because you used a reasonable hand with good equity when called, and you forced folds from players who likely had weak hands.

Spot 2: The squeeze that backfires

You are in the small blind with A♠ 2♠. The under-the-gun player raises to 3bb, the button calls. You raise to 12bb. The under-the-gun player 4-bets to 27bb. You are forced to fold, losing 12bb. This is a bad squeeze because your hand is too weak to call a 4-bet, and you chose a spot where the original raiser was likely to fight back. A better hand, like A♣ K♦, would have been a better squeeze, or you could have just folded.

When not to use it

Do not squeeze when the original raiser is a tight, aggressive player who rarely folds to 3-bets. They will often 4-bet you, and you will be forced to fold unless you have a premium hand. Also, avoid squeezing when the callers are calling stations who will call your raise with any pair or draw. In that case, your fold equity is low, and you will be playing a large pot out of position with a marginal hand.

The next decision after a squeeze

If your squeeze is called, you need to evaluate the flop. If you have a strong hand or a good draw, you can continue betting. If you have nothing, you can check-fold. If the original raiser 4-bets, you must decide whether to call or fold based on your hand strength and the pot odds. For example, if you squeezed with A♣ K♦ and the original raiser 4-bets, you can call or even 5-bet all-in. If you squeezed with 9♠ 8♠, you should fold to a 4-bet.

Leaks on this raise

• Squeezing too often: If you squeeze too frequently, observant opponents will start 4-betting you light, and you will lose money. Mix up your play and choose your spots carefully.
• Squeezing with weak hands out of position: Squeezing from the blinds with hands like A♠ 2♠ is a leak because you will often be called and then be out of position with a weak hand. Use hands that have good equity when called, such as suited connectors or strong broadways.
• Squeezing too small: If you raise too little, you give the original raiser good odds to call with a wide range, and you fail to generate enough fold equity. Make sure your raise is large enough to put pressure on your opponents.

Frequently asked questions

What is a squeeze in poker?

A squeeze is a raise made after an opponent has raised and at least one other player has called that raise. The goal is to win the dead money in the pot by forcing both the original raiser and the callers to fold.

How much should you raise when squeezing?

A standard squeeze size is 3 to 4 times the original raise, plus one big blind for each caller. For example, if the original raise is 3bb and there is one caller, a raise to 12bb is typical.

When should you not squeeze?

Avoid squeezing against tight, aggressive players who are likely to 4-bet you, and avoid squeezing when the callers are calling stations who will call your raise with any pair or draw. In those situations, your fold equity is low.

What should you do if your squeeze is called?

If your squeeze is called, evaluate the flop. If you have a strong hand or a good draw, continue betting. If you have nothing, check-fold. If the original raiser 4-bets, decide whether to call or fold based on your hand strength and pot odds.