The 4-bet responds to an opponent’s 3-bet. 4-bet situations are among the most intense in poker — big pots, narrow ranges, high-stakes decisions.
When to 4-Bet for Value?
With A♠A♥, K♠K♥, and often Q♠Q♥ and A♠K♠, the 4-bet is almost always the best action. You’re building a massive pot with the top of your range.
The 4-Bet Bluff
To avoid being predictable, include 4-bet bluffs in your range. The best hands for this have blocker effects:
A♠5♠ and A♠4♠: excellent because you block the hands that dominate your bluffs
K♠Q♠ sometimes: blocker on K♠K♥ and Q♠Q♥
Avoid 4-bet bluffs without blockers — the risk is too high
4-Bet Sizing
In position: about 2.2 to 2.5x the 3-bet
Out of position: about 2.5 to 3x the 3-bet
Example: 3-bet to 12 BB → 4-bet in position to 26-30 BB.
Facing an Opponent’s 4-Bet
With less than 40 BB effective, a 4-bet often forces an all-in decision. Your options:
Fold: with J♠J♥, 10♠10♥, AQ against tight players
Call: with Q♠Q♥, A♠K♠ to realize equity
5-bet all-in: with A♠A♥ and K♠K♥, sometimes Q♠Q♥ and A♠K♠
The Impact of Stack Sizes
Stack depth changes everything. In tournaments with 20 BB, a 4-bet is almost always all-in. In deep-stacked cash games (200+ BB), you have room for post-flop play even after a 4-bet.
