TLDR
A 4-bet is the second re-raise in a betting sequence. It most commonly refers to a preflop raise made after one player opens and another player 3-bets.
Also called: Four-bet, 4bet
A 4-bet gets its name from the way poker wagers are counted. Preflop, the big blind is the first bet, the open raise is the second bet, the first re-raise is the 3-bet, and the next raise is the 4-bet.
You will encounter 4-bets most often in No-Limit Texas Hold’em preflop play. They create large pots and represent a much stronger or more aggressive range than a standard open raise. Depending on the players, positions, stack depths, and raise sizes, a 4-bet can be made for value or as a bluff.
How the Betting Sequence Works
| Action | Conventional Name |
|---|---|
| Big blind posts 1 BB | First bet |
| A player raises to 2.5 BB | Open raise, technically the second bet |
| Another player raises to 8 BB | 3-bet |
| The opener raises to 20 BB | 4-bet |
The player making the 4-bet does not have to be the original raiser. If one player opens, a second player 3-bets, and a third player raises again without having entered the pot previously, the third player has made a cold 4-bet.
Although a 4-bet can technically occur after the flop, the term is used primarily for preflop action. Postflop, players more often describe the sequence as a bet, raise, re-raise, and another re-raise.
Value 4-Bets and 4-Bet Bluffs
A value 4-bet is made with a hand that expects to perform well when the opponent continues. Premium pairs such as AA and KK are common value candidates, but the exact value range can expand when positions are late, stacks are shallower, or an opponent 3-bets aggressively.
A 4-bet bluff aims to make the 3-bettor fold. Strong candidates often combine useful card removal with limited appeal as calls. An Ace in your hand, for example, reduces the number of AA and strong Ace-King combinations your opponent can hold. This blocker effect can make certain suited Aces reasonable bluff candidates in appropriate situations.
That does not mean every hand containing an Ace should be 4-bet. Your decision still depends on the opponent’s 3-bet range, fold frequency, position, effective stack, and the amount you risk. Against a player who 3-bets only premium hands and rarely folds, bluffing becomes much less attractive.
Position, Stack Depth, and Sizing
Position affects both your range and your sizing. A player with position after the flop can often use a relatively smaller 4-bet because positional advantage makes it easier to realize equity. An out-of-position player may choose a larger size to charge calls and reduce the opponent’s positional advantage.
Effective stack depth matters just as much. At around 100 big blinds, a non-all-in 4-bet can leave enough chips for postflop play. At shorter stacks, the same action may effectively commit a large part of the stack. At deeper stacks, calling a 4-bet becomes more viable for some hands because more chips remain to be played after the flop.
There is no universal 4-bet size. Common non-all-in sizes are often a little more than twice the 3-bet, with larger sizes used out of position, but the correct choice depends on the original raise, 3-bet size, effective stacks, and range construction. A 4-bet should be large enough to apply pressure without risking more chips than necessary.
Practical Example
In a $0.50/$1 cash game with $100 effective stacks, the cutoff opens to $2.50. The button 3-bets to $8, and the cutoff raises to $20. The raise to $20 is a 4-bet.
Before the 4-bet, the pot contains $12: the $0.50 small blind, $1 big blind, the cutoff’s $2.50, and the button’s $8. The cutoff adds another $17.50 to make the total wager $20, so the pot becomes $29.50 before the button responds.
The raise is also legally large enough. The button increased the wager from $2.50 to $8, which is a raise increment of $5.50. A full 4-bet must therefore be to at least $13.50, calculated as the current $8 wager plus the previous $5.50 raise increment. The raise to $20 comfortably meets that requirement.
Common Mistakes
- Treating every 4-bet as AA or KK: Some players have extremely tight ranges, but active players can include lighter value hands and bluffs. Use position and opponent tendencies rather than assuming one fixed range.
- 4-bet bluffing against the wrong range: Bluffing works poorly when the 3-bettor starts with a very strong range or rarely folds to another raise.
- Ignoring effective stacks: A size that works at 100 big blinds may leave an awkward or excessively small stack behind at a different depth.
- Calling a shove automatically after 4-betting: Investing chips with a 4-bet does not mean you must call every 5-bet all-in. Your pot odds and equity against the opponent’s shoving range still determine the decision.
- Using the same range against every position: A 3-bet from early position is usually different from one made in a late-position battle. Your 4-bet strategy should adjust accordingly.
FAQ
Question 1: Does an all-in raise after a 3-bet count as a 4-bet?
Answer: Yes. If a player raises all-in after a 3-bet, that action is a 4-bet shove. A short all-in that does not constitute a full legal raise can affect whether action is reopened under the applicable poker room rules.
Pro Insight: Always check effective stacks before 4-betting because they determine whether a non-all-in raise or an immediate shove is available.
Question 2: Is a 4-bet always a value raise?
Answer: No. Balanced strategies can include both value 4-bets and 4-bet bluffs. In practical play, the appropriate mix depends heavily on how often the opponent 3-bets and how frequently that player folds, calls, or 5-bets.
Question 3: What is the difference between a 4-bet and a cold 4-bet?
Answer: A regular 4-bet is often made by the original opener after facing a 3-bet. A cold 4-bet is made by another player who has not previously called or raised in that betting round.
Pro Insight: Cold 4-bet ranges are often especially strong because the player must raise through both an opener and a 3-bettor, although aggressive games can still contain cold 4-bet bluffs.