Mastering the fourbet Advanced Poker Strategy and Practical Guidance

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The fourbet is one of the most powerful and polarizing tools in modern no-limit hold’em. It represents a re-raise after a three-bet and serves multiple strategic purposes: building a pot with the nut or near-nut hands, applying pressure to opponents with weaker ranges, and leveraging fold equity to steal pots preflop. This article explores the principles behind effective fourbetting, practical hand and sizing decisions, adjustments by position and opponent type, and pitfalls to avoid.

Understanding the fourbet begins with clarity on ranges. A fourbet range is typically polarized: it contains premium hands you intend to get called or committed with (e.g., AA, KK, AK suited) and bluffs that have good blockers to premium holdings (e.g., A5s, KQs occasionally, or suited broadways with specific blockers). The reason for polarization is straightforward—when you fourbet, you often face tough decisions postflop or an all-in commitment. Middle-strength hands that are neither strong enough to commit nor weak enough to fold should generally be avoided from most positions.

Position matters. From the button or cutoff, a fourbet bluff can be more profitable because you often play postflop with position, which increases the effective equity of your bluffs and allows you to realize fold equity more efficiently. From the blinds, fourbetting requires caution: out of position, you’ll be faced with more difficult postflop situations and a higher likelihood of facing a shove or cold-call that dominates your range. In general, tighten your fourbet bluff frequency in earlier positions and expand it on the button when facing steals or wide opening ranges.

Sizing is a critical component. Your fourbet size must be big enough to accomplish your goals—closing the action, applying pressure, or defining ranges—but not so large that it unnecessarily commits your stack when called. Common sizing heuristics include sizing to around 2.2–2.8x the three-bet in cash games depending on stack depth and the opener’s tendencies. Against very loose openers, a slightly larger fourbet can isolate and charge their wide calling range. Against tight opponents or in multi-way spots, calibrate smaller to avoid excessive risk. When deep-stacked, consider larger fourbet sizes to maximize fold equity; when short-stacked, a shove is often optimal.

Stack depth guides the decision between a fourbet and an all-in. In tournament play, where stacks often compress, the distinction becomes sharper: at 15–35 big blinds, shoving as a fourbet is frequently the most correct play versus a wide opener because it gives opponents a binary decision and simplifies postflop complexities. In deep-stacked cash-game scenarios, you can apply more nuanced fourbet lines and follow up with postflop pressure. Always assess effective stack sizes: if committing to a pot postflop is likely with your value hands, include more bluffs in your range; if a call will force you into marginal spots, lean towards premium-heavy fourbetting.

Blockers and removal effects are often what separate a good fourbet bluff from a poor one. Holding the ace of the suit that blocks AA or AK combinations reduces the likelihood that your opponent has the strongest possible counters, increasing bluff success. Hands like A5s, A4s, and KJs can serve as effective fourbet bluffs because they remove key parts of opponents’ calling ranges while retaining some equity when called. Conversely, avoid using gapper offsuit hands with poor blocker value: their equity and removal effects don’t justify frequent fourbet bluffs.

Opponent profiling is essential. Versus nitty, straightforward players who only three-bet with premiums, fourbetting light becomes costly: they will either call with a very narrow range dominated by your bluffs or shove back with premium hands. Against aggressive three-bettors who use wide ranges, you can fourbet more liberally to exploit their elasticity. Versus players who employ frequent squeeze plays or polarized lines, mix your fourbet strategy and incorporate more hands for balance. Adjust dynamically: if an opponent folds too frequently to fourbets, increase bluffing frequency; if they call too often, tighten and exploit with value-heavy fourbets.

Postflop plans are an underappreciated aspect of fourbet strategy. Before you fourbet, ask yourself how you will continue on different flop textures. Polarized fourbet ranges play well on dry flops that favor big hands, while some bluffs have better playability on certain turn textures where they can barrel credibly. If your planned bluffs cannot continue profitably on common flop textures, they are weaker candidates for fourbetting. Additionally, consider the frequency of check-calls and check-raises you are willing to face; if you don’t want to deal with frequent check-raises, reduce the hands in your bluffing bucket.

Tournament dynamics and ICM (Independent Chip Model) add additional layers. In late-stage tournaments, ICM considerations often discourage marginal fourbet bluffs because the cost of busting outweighs chip EV gains. Value fourbets with extremely strong hands remain viable, but exploitative adjustments should skew towards caution. Conversely, in ICM-irrelevant situations like deep cash games or isolated spots where marginal risk is acceptable, be more willing to apply pressure with bluffs that have theoretical merit.

Mental game and table image are practical levers. If you have established an aggressive image, your fourbet bluffs may succeed more often because opponents attribute wider ranges to you. However, overreliance on that image can backfire if opponents start adjusting by calling more broadly or reraising light. Blend your lines: occasionally fourbet for deceit when you’ve been perceived as tight and increase your value-heavy fourbets when players think you are too aggressive. Balanced frequency keeps opponents guessing and reduces exploitability.

Common mistakes include over-bluffing without proper blockers, using marginal hands from poor positions, mis-sizing to the point of unnecessary commitment, and neglecting postflop plans. One other frequent error is failing to adjust to stack dynamics: applying the same fourbet strategy across 100bb and 20bb stacks yields suboptimal results. Review hands with tools or a coach to fine-tune your ranges and understand how specific hands perform in various spots.

Practical exercises to improve: review a session and tag every fourbet attempt. Note position, effective stacks, opponent type, sizing, and result. Identify patterns where your fourbet bluffs were called by hands that dominate you, and adjust your blocker usage accordingly. Simulate ranges with equity calculators to see which bluffs keep enough equity when called. Practice balanced ranges in spot drills, then gradually introduce exploitative deviations based on opponent tendencies.

In summary, the fourbet is a sophisticated weapon that rewards thoughtful application. Focus on polarized ranges, exploit opponent tendencies, size appropriately for the situation, and always account for stack depth and postflop playability. With deliberate practice—analyzing spots, understanding blockers, and adjusting to table dynamics—you’ll convert the fourbet from a high-variance tactic into a consistent source of edge.

As with all advanced poker strategies, ongoing learning and adaptation are key. Combine theoretical study with real-game adjustments, and remember that the best fourbet decisions are those informed by range construction, opponent modeling, and practical postflop plans. When applied correctly, the fourbet can shift the balance of pot control and fold equity in your favor, turning marginal situations into profitable opportunities.