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THE POKER LOBOTOMY · REWIRE 016

You 3-Bet, They 4-Bet. Now What?

You 3-Bet, They 4-Bet. Now What?

A 3-bet is a tool, not a personality. It can isolate, build value, create fold equity, and seize initiative—but every benefit comes with a larger pot.

By Ed Reif · The Poker Lobotomy

LEAK3-betting automatically because aggression feels stronger than calling.
RULEAggression needs a reason: value, fold equity, isolation, range construction, or a clear exploit.
BETTER DECISIONBefore 3-betting, account for position, opponent opening range, response tendencies, effective stacks, and your plan after a call.

Why this matters

The hidden cost of a 3-bet is that postflop errors become more expensive. When the opponent calls, the stack-to-pot ratio falls and future bets represent more chips. Autopilot continuation betting can turn a reasonable preflop idea into a large mistake.

Strong 3-bet strategy therefore includes a plan for calls and 4-bets. The preflop raise creates leverage, but the board still gets a vote.

Fast example

You 3-bet a medium-strength hand and get called on a flop that strongly favors the caller’s range. “I was the aggressor” is not enough reason to fire a large c-bet. Update to board texture and the range that continued.

THE REWIREAggression needs a reason: value, fold equity, isolation, range construction, or a clear exploit.
One leak. One hand. One rule. One better decision.

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