Following the 3bet experiment, I received a lot of questions about how I handled my opponent’s adjustments to the excessive 3betting.
Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold’em – 9 players
Hero (BTN): $85.09
SB: $50.00
BB: $22.75
UTG: $46.09
UTG+1: $20.00
UTG+2: $59.14
MP1: $20.45
MP2: $89.93
CO: $50.25
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with 5
2
4 folds, MP2 raises to $1.25 (6.07s),
1 fold, Hero raises to $3.75, 2 folds,
MP2 raises to $10 (18.45s),
Going with my original hypothesis that an opponent who hesitates to make a preflop raise is more likely to be weak, I am more confident that my opponent’s 4bet is a natural reaction to my excessive 3betting and not an indication of strength.
Hero raises to $18, 1 fold
Final Pot: $20.75
Hero wins $20.75
Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold’em – 9 players
BB: $50.00
UTG: $50.00
UTG+1: $35.38
UTG+2: $75.75
MP1: $63.78
MP2: $51.19
CO: $50.00
Hero (BTN): $56.19
SB: $18.25
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with T
4
5 folds, CO raises to $1.50 (7.23s),
Again, my opponent’s timing fell into the experimental range and I decide to 3bet him.
Hero raises to $4.50, 2 folds,
CO raises to $10.50 (13.27s),
His timing is very similar to the last hand, as there is a long time down while deciding to 4bet after his original preflop raise hesitation.
Hero raises to $20, 1 fold
Final Pot: $21.75
Hero mucks T 4
Hero wins $21.75
Whenever an opponent hesitates a long time before placing a 4bet, they are more likely to be struggling to decide if they want to risk the money to defend against your 3bet. If you are able to combine this information with table dynamics and another read such as original preflop raise timing, you will find yourself in the position to make a very profitable 5bet bluff.
