Updated on 21 Feb 26 by
Barry carter
Poker Expert

Why you should only 3-bet or fold from the Small Blind

Throw the cold calls out of your Small Blind game with this new video from one of our mid stakes coaches.

DeanD pokerstrategy.com

Video type

Theory

Coach:

DeanD

Status:

Diamond

Duration:

31 minutes

Watch the Video

DeanD returns today for his third video which is a unique lesson from the mind of a mid stakes crusher. 

Our options are limited in the Small Blind because we have to play out of position. Preflop most of us try and mix between folding, cold calling and 3-betting depending on the situation. 

Our coach argues today that you should always 3-bet if you are going to play a hand from the Small Blind. If you are not willing to 3-bet the hand you should always fold - cold calling should no longer be an option. 

DeanD explains his 3-betting strategy from the Small Blind and takes us through some interesting Small Blind hands he recently played at NL400 to demonstrate why it is such an effective strategy. 

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Click to watch the video

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Poker Expert

Barry Carter is the editor of PokerStrategy.com and the co-author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 & 2, Poker Satellite Strategy, PKO Poker Strategy, Endgame Poker Strategy, GTO Poker Simplified, Mystery Bounty Poker Strategy and Beyond GTO. In 2025, he won the Global Poker Awards for Best Book and Twitter Personality of the Year.