UTG 100bb Resteal
UTG 100bb Resteal
A resteal is a 3-bet made from a later position against an UTG (Under the Gun) open raise when both players have effective stacks of 100 big blinds.
What is a Resteal?
A resteal is a type of 3-bet designed to take down the pot preflop or isolate an initial raiser who is perceived to be opening a wide range. Typically, resteals are most profitable against late-position opens (e.g., cutoff or button), where the raiser's range is weaker. However, when the open comes from UTG—the first position to act preflop in a 9-handed or 6-handed game—the situation changes dramatically.
Why UTG is Different
UTG's opening range is generally tight and strong, often consisting of premium hands (e.g., TT+, AQ+, KQ) even in aggressive games. Because UTG is first to act, they must survive the entire table, so they rarely open weak holdings. This means a resteal against UTG requires more caution: the 3-bettor must have a hand that can either win a showdown or has enough equity to bluff against a strong continuing range.
Stack Depth Considerations at 100bb
With 100 big blinds (bb), stack depth is deep enough for standard 3-bet sizes (around 3-4x the open) and for post-flop play. At 100bb, UTG's calling range versus a 3-bet might include hands like AQ, KQs, and pairs, while they may 4-bet or shove with QQ+ and AK. A resteal from a later position therefore needs to be carefully sized and selected. Typical holdings used for UTG resteals include:
- High-card hands with blockers (e.g., AQ, AJs, KQ) to reduce the chance UTG holds premium hands.
- Medium pairs (e.g., TT, 99) that can flop sets and have showdown value if called.
- Suited connectors (e.g., JTs, T9s) as semi-bluffs with good post-flop playability.
Example Range (Illustrative)
A balanced UTG resteal range at 100bb might consist of about 3–5% of hands, such as: AQ+, ATs, KQs, TT, 99, A5s (as a blocker bluffer). The exact mix depends on game dynamics and opponent tendencies. Against a tight UTG opener, restealing too often is detrimental; against a loose UTG opener (some players open wider from early position), the resteal frequency can increase.
Conclusion
The UTG 100bb Resteal is a high-risk, high-reward play that requires an understanding of ranges and opponent adjustment. It is best employed sparingly and with holdings that have good equity or playability. Players who resteal too liberally against UTG often find themselves dominated or caught in 4-bet situations with marginal hands.