The fourbet is one of the most powerful and nuanced moves in modern preflop poker strategy, signaling strength, aggression and the ability to shape ranges before the flop. For players looking to expand their preflop arsenal and to exploit opponents who rely too heavily on predictable three-bet patterns, understanding when and how to employ a fourbet is essential. For more context on tools and resources that can support practice and analysis, visit https://fourbet.ng.
At its simplest, a fourbet is a re-raise of a re-raise: the bet that follows an initial raise and a subsequent three-bet. This sequence compresses the action and often commits players to more difficult decisions. Executed correctly, a well-timed fourbet can accomplish several objectives: it can isolate a weaker opponent, take down the pot immediately, deny equity to speculative hands, extract value from dominated holdings, and leverage fold equity to win large pots without seeing a flop. Because of these effects, fourbets are used differently in cash games, where stack depths are typically deeper, and in tournaments, where stack sizes change dynamically and ICM considerations apply.
Range construction is the backbone of profitable fourbetting. A pure value fourbet range typically contains premium hands that fare well against the likely three-bet range — for example, AA, KK, sometimes AK, and very occasionally QQ or AKs depending on opponents and dynamics. A mixed or polarised fourbet strategy, however, blends value hands with bluffs: balanced bluffs might include hands that have blockers to opponent value hands (like A5s or KQs in some spots) or hands that play well in position postflop even when continuing. Linear fourbet strategies (only strong hands) are simpler but easier to exploit; polarised strategies add unpredictability at the cost of requiring more advanced postflop skill and accurate fold equity estimation.
Position dramatically affects fourbet strategy. When out of position, a fourbet tends to be more polarized and value-heavy because the difficulty of playing postflop from the blinds punishes marginal hands. In position, a fourbet is more comfortable as a tool to both extract value and to apply pressure: in position you can often follow through with a continuation bet on favorable textures or use positional leverage to outplay opponents on later streets. Stack depth dictates whether a fourbet should be sized with shove intent, a large sizing designed to commit based on fold or call likelihood, or a sizing that preserves maneuverability for later streets.
Bet sizing in fourbet spots should be considered carefully. A fourbet sizing must balance fold equity, the pot odds offered to a caller, and the range advantage. Typical fourbet sizes in cash and deep-stacked online play are often in the 2.5x to 3x of the threebet amount or a fixed amount that creates unattractive pot odds for marginal hands. In tournament or short-stack situations, fourbet shoves are common: when effective stacks are 20 big blinds or less, a shove turns the decision into a binary action and often forces folds from hands that cannot profitably call due to fold equity and the shover’s top-end range.
Hybrid strategy — mixing bluffs and value — requires thoughtful selection of bluff candidates. Blockers are crucial: hands containing an ace or a king can block opponent premium hands and reduce the chance of being dominated. Suited connectors and small pairs make poor fourbet bluffs because they have high reverse implied odds and often need to see flops to realize equity. Conversely, hands that reduce an opponent’s calling range and still have some playability postflop make good bluff candidates in a polarised fourbet range.
Exploitative considerations matter. Against an opponent who folds too often to fourbets, you should increase your bluff frequency to take advantage of that leak. Against a calling station who flat-calls fourbets with wide ranges, tighten up and focus on value hands, or adjust your sizing to punish calls. Pay attention to tendencies such as over-folding to aggression on specific streets, multi-way dynamics, and how often three-bettors continue postflop. Table dynamics and image also change the optimal mix: a tight table may require fewer bluffs when fourbetting, while a loose table invites more aggression.
Equity and math are the foundation of sound fourbet decision-making. Calculate the break-even call frequency for a given fourbet and understand the equity needed to continue. For example, if a fourbet shove puts an opponent to a decision for a pot-sized commitment, estimate the range they must hold to justify calling and whether your hand or range can beat that threshold often enough. Use tools like equity calculators and solvers to study common scenarios and internalize the mathematics behind fold equity and range versus range outcomes.
Mistakes to avoid include: bluffing with hands that have little blocker value or playability, fourbetting too predictably from one spot only, neglecting postflop plans for hands that continue, and ignoring tournament-specific constraints like ICM. Another common error is over-relying on a one-size-fits-all fourbet sizing; effective fourbetters vary their amounts depending on opponent tendencies, stack sizes, and the specific pot context to maximize pressure and minimize exploitability.
Practicing fourbet situations is best done in a layered manner. Start with clear rules for short-stack shoves, establish a basic value-only fourbet range for deep cash game spots, then gradually introduce polarised bluffs with well-chosen blockers. Review hand histories and solver outputs, and use training software to experiment with different ranges and sizings. When studying, pay special attention to spots where your fourbet induces fold equity on the flop or preflop, and take note of how opponents respond to various line combinations.
The psychological aspect of fourbetting is often underrated. A well-timed fourbet can alter table dynamics, earning you respect and more fold equity going forward. But the reverse is true: if your fourbets are called frequently and you cannot justify that with value, your opponents will adjust and exploit your range. Maintain balance and unpredictability while ensuring you have a coherent postflop plan for hands that continue.
In tournaments, adapt fourbet strategy to stack depths and ICM. Early where stacks are deep, a mix of polarized fourbets can be effective. As bubbles and payout jumps loom, be more cautious: non-folding opponents can punish wide bluffing ranges, and the cost of losing big pots becomes larger relative to tournament equity. In cash games, with deeper stacks and the option to buy back in, more aggressive fourbetting with a thoughtful bluff component can yield long-term profit if executed with discipline.
To summarize, mastering the fourbet requires a synthesis of range construction, position awareness, stack size sensitivity, sizing strategy, opponent exploitation and math. Start with a solid, simple framework: know your value range, pick sensible bluffs with blockers and playability, adjust sizing to the context, and practice with both solvers and hand reviews. Over time, disciplined application and iterative study will let you turn fourbets into a powerful lever that wins pots, constructs profitable confrontations, and keeps opponents guessing.
Whether you are refining a cash game approach or sharpening your tournament instincts, the fourbet remains a high-impact tool. Use it sparingly, intelligently, and always with a plan — and you’ll find it pays dividends in both chips and long-term edge at the tables.
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