Bet vs Raise vs 3bet/4bet/5bet/6bet

Hey everyone,

I'm seeing a lot of people across all forums misusing these terms. So I thought I'd create a sticky to explain it all once and for all.

The confusion arises from what seems like a difference in terminology when describing preflop vs postflop action. So we will first explain these terms in the context of postflop.

Postflop:

If it's checked to someone or if someone is first to act, that person "bets".

Raising this bet is then referred to as a raise or a "2-bet".

Reraising this raise is then referred to as a reraise or a "3-bet".

Reraising this is then referred to as a re-reraise (if you're retarded) or a "4-bet" (if you're sensible).

And so on..

Preflop:

The confusion is because of preflop. In no limit and fixed limit games, people post a blind. This blind is actually short for a "blind bet". Therefore when someone raises this "blind" bet, it is referred to as a raise.

That is why if someone raises this raise, it is then referred to as a "3-bet" or a "reraise".

4-bets, 5-bets and 6-bets follow on logically.


I will now illustrate these concepts with some examples from cash games.


3-bet Examples:

Preflop:

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
SB ($267)
BB ($81.45)
UTG ($359)
UTG+1 ($293)
CO ($213)
Hero ($200)

Dealt to Hero 2 K

fold, fold, CO raises to $7, Hero raises to $21, fold, fold, fold

Hero shows 2 K

Hero wins $17

Postflop:

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
SB ($205)
BB ($305)
Hero ($263)
UTG+1 ($360)
CO ($152)
BTN ($200)

Dealt to Hero 6 5

Hero raises to $7, fold, CO calls $7, fold, fold, fold

FLOP ($17) A T 5

Hero bets $11, CO raises to $26, Hero raises to $41, CO folds

Hero shows 6 5

Hero wins $66


4-bet Examples:

Preflop:

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
SB ($221)
BB ($147)
UTG ($270)
UTG+1 ($165)
CO ($217)
Hero ($200)

Dealt to Hero A 3

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to $6, SB raises to $21, fold, Hero raises to $44, fold

Hero shows A 3

Hero wins $44

Postflop:

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $1(BB) Replayer
SB ($185)
Hero ($101)
UTG ($100)
CO ($183)
BTN ($269)

Dealt to Hero J T

fold, fold, fold, SB raises to $5, Hero calls $4

FLOP ($10) K 7 9

SB bets $7.50, Hero raises to $15, SB raises to $36, Hero raises to $95, SB folds

Hero shows J T

Hero wins $79


5-bet Examples:

Preflop:

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $1(BB) Replayer
SB ($119)
BB ($21)
UTG ($55.84)
CO ($352)
Hero ($109)

Dealt to Hero 3 A

fold, CO raises to $3.50, Hero raises to $10, fold, fold, CO raises to $25, Hero raises to $109 (AI), fold

Hero shows 3 A

Hero wins $51.50

Postflop:

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $1(BB) Replayer
SB ($153)
BB ($184)
Hero ($99.50)
CO ($46.60)
BTN ($84.95)

Dealt to Hero A T

Hero raises to $4, fold, fold, SB calls $3.50, fold

FLOP ($9) A 9 8

SB checks, Hero bets $6.50, SB raises to $13, Hero raises to $19.50, SB raises to $26, Hero raises to $95.50 (AI), SB calls $69.50

TURN ($200) A 9 8 J

RIVER ($200) A 9 8 J 6

SB shows 8 Q
(Pre 36%, Flop 22.8%, Turn 11.4%)

Hero shows A T
(Pre 64%, Flop 77.2%, Turn 88.6%)

Hero wins $197


6-bet Examples:

Preflop:

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
SB ($201)
BB ($314)
UTG ($309)
CO ($200)
Hero ($292)

Dealt to Hero K A

fold, fold, Hero raises to $6, fold, BB raises to $22, Hero raises to $48, BB raises to $100, Hero raises to $292 (AI), fold

Hero shows K A

Hero wins $201