fourbet.ng — the term „four-bet“ refers to a re-raise after an initial raise and a re-raise (three-bet) in no-limit hold’em. Understanding four-betting is essential for players who want to move beyond basic preflop charts and into a layered strategic approach that blends mathematics, psychology, and table dynamics. This article explores why four-bets matter, how to construct balanced ranges, when to employ them as bluffs or value plays, and how to adjust across cash games and tournaments.
At its core, a four-bet serves two main purposes: to extract value from stronger hands and to apply pressure, forcing opponents into difficult decisions. Against aggressive opponents who three-bet widely, a well-timed four-bet can isolate and reclaim initiative. Conversely, against tighter opponents, four-betting can be a strong signal of premium strength and often succeeds in winning the pot preflop. Effective four-betting requires an understanding of ranges rather than single hands; you want your four-bet range to include both strong made hands and credible bluffs so opponents cannot easily exploit you by folding or by making incorrect calls.
Position is a critical factor. Four-betting from the button or cutoff against a late-position three-bettor is different from four-betting out of position from the small blind. In position, you gain postflop advantages and can defend a broader range. Out of position, you should tighten your range and prioritize hands that perform well in blind-versus-blind or heads-up scenarios. Stack depth also drives your decisions: with deep stacks, implied odds make some speculative holdings viable as four-bet shoves, while with short stacks, shove-or-fold dynamics simplify choices and often convert four-bets into all-ins.
Balancing your four-bet range is both art and science. Include clear value hands — premium pairs and top-tier broadways — alongside blocker-based bluffs such as Axs or Kxs that reduce the opponent’s ability to hold nut hands. Blockers are particularly valuable because they lower the chance that a caller holds the hands that dominate your bluffs. For example, Ace-king acts as a strong value hand, while Ace-ten with the ace-suited blocker can function as a credible bluff in some matchups. The exact composition should vary based on opponent tendencies: against callers who fold too much, increase bluff frequency; against sticky players who call down, prioritize value-heavy ranges.
Understanding pot odds and fold equity is essential. When deciding whether to four-bet as a bluff, calculate whether the fold equity you generate justifies the risk. If your opponent folds a high percentage of the time, bluffing becomes more profitable; if they rarely fold, bluffing loses its edge. Use simple math: if your four-bet represents X% of the effective stack and you need your opponent to fold Y% of the time to break even, you can estimate whether attacking is advantageous. Many players rely on software and solvers to refine these thresholds, but a practical in-game sense of opponent tendencies often suffices.
Postflop play following a four-bet can be complex. If your four-bet is called, you’ll often face a pot-sized or larger range on the flop. Plan for continuation betting strategies that consider board texture and range advantage. When you are the preflop aggressor and hold the range advantage, target dry boards for continuation bets as bluffs and slow-play strong made hands on coordinated boards where check-calls or check-raises are more effective. Be mindful that a four-bet caller’s range is typically polarized: either very strong hands or speculative floats. This polarization informs your approach on later streets.
Tournament play imposes different constraints. ICM (Independent Chip Model) pressure can both discourage and encourage four-betting depending on stack depths and payouts. Near the bubble or in late-stage tournaments, the risk of busting outweighs marginal chip gains, so four-bet frequencies often decline. Conversely, in deep-stack tournament phases, the same deep-stack logic from cash games applies and four-betting becomes a weapon to accumulate chips. Adjust based on tournament stage, opponent tendencies, and the payout structure.
Common mistakes beginners make include four-betting without a plan, overusing four-bets in multiway pots, and failing to consider stack-to-pot ratios. A four-bet is rarely appropriate in multiway situations because the fold equity and clarity of opponent ranges diminish. Similarly, using four-bets as a default aggressive tool rather than a targeted exploit reduces long-term profitability. Cultivate discipline: each four-bet should serve a purpose, whether isolating a loose three-bettor, building a pot with a premium, or representing an imbalanced range to steal blinds and antes.
Modern players benefit from study tools. Solvers reveal theoretically optimal four-bet frequencies and constructions against idealized opponents; training sites and hand databases help you see how real opponents deviate from theory. Track your four-bet performance in databases to identify leaks: are you being exploited postflop, or are your bluffs getting called too often? Use this data to iteratively refine your ranges and your postflop plans.
Mental game and table image also matter. A tight image allows occasional four-bet bluffs to carry more weight, while a loose image demands a tighter, more value-heavy approach. Observe how opponents respond to aggression: do they respect raises, or do they frequently shove over four-bets? Adapting quickly to these signals will improve your four-bet ROI. Remember, poker is a long-term game — balance, patience, and ongoing study outperform short-term heroics.
In summary, four-betting is a nuanced and powerful tool when used thoughtfully. Focus on range construction, position, stack depth, opponent tendencies, and postflop planning. Use blockers and mathematical intuition to craft bluffs, and lean heavily on value hands when facing stubborn callers. Combine solver insights with real-game adjustments, and avoid overusing four-bets in unclear spots. Mastering the four-bet elevates your preflop strategy and opens avenues for exploiting opponents across stakes and formats.
Practical next steps: review your recent sessions to tag hands involving four-bets, study similar spots in solver software, and practice constructing polarized ranges for common positions. Prioritize learning how your opponents react rather than rigidly following a single strategy — adaptability is the hallmark of an advanced four-betder. With disciplined study and deliberate practice, your four-bet decisions will shift from guesswork to a replicable edge.