The fourbet is one of poker’s most sophisticated tools for exerting pressure on opponents, balancing value and deception while shaping post-flop play. For players looking to elevate their game, understanding when and why to fourbet — and how to construct effective fourbet ranges — is essential. Visit this resource for a practical perspective: https://fourbet.ng
At its core, a fourbet occurs after an opening raise, a reraise (threebet), and then a fourth bet by a player. In no-limit hold’em and other bet-size-variant forms, the fourbet serves multiple roles: as a value line with premium holdings, as a defense against repeated aggression, and as a powerful bluffing weapon to exploit opponents who overfold to pressure. The fourbet’s potency stems from its ability to close action preflop and define ranges sharply before the flop appears.
Why incorporate fourbets into your arsenal? First, they allow you to claim the pot immediately when your opponents’ opening and threebet ranges contain many dominated or marginal hands. Second, a well-timed fourbet narrows your opponent’s continuing range to either very strong hands or pure calls with equity; this simplifies post-flop decisions. Third, the fourbet can significantly increase the effective stack-to-pot ratio for the remaining players, forcing decisions for stacks that otherwise might have remained deeper.
Range construction is fundamental. A straightforward approach is to classify fourbet hands into three categories: value, polarized bluffs, and sometimes cold calls. Value fourbets typically include the very strongest holdings — premium pairs and top-tier suited connectors when they play well as blockers and have high showdown value. Polarized bluffs consist of hands with blockers to premium holdings (for example, A5s or KQs depending on the action) that can credibly represent top-range strength. The key is balance: too many bluffs makes value hands exploited, too few makes the fourbet purely predictable.
Position matters. In position, a fourbet allows you to maximize the leverage of post-flop skill and to choose whether to close the action or see a flop with a broader bluffing range. Out of position, fourbetting tends to be a more polarized, narrower strategy because it commits you to a difficult post-flop course if called. Consider adjusting sizes and ranges by seat — fourbetting from the button against a cutoff threebet differs meaningfully from a small blind fourbet after a button threebet.
Bet sizing is both art and science. Effective fourbet sizing should accomplish two goals: commit opponents with weaker hands while keeping certain hands (those you’d prefer to see a flop with) affordable. Common heuristics include using a size that is a fixed multiple of the threebet (e.g., 2.2–3x the threebet size) or a pot-sized figure that respects stack depth. Be mindful that larger fourbets fold out more hands but also increase variance and reduce the profitability of your bluffs when called.
Stack depth strongly influences fourbet strategy. Deep-stacked scenarios allow more speculative fourbet-calls and post-flop play; shallow stacks push fourbet value and shove decisions toward shove-or-fold dynamics. In tournament play, ICM and stack preservation often temper aggressive fourbet bluffing — preserving tournament life is more valuable than marginal extra pots. Conversely, in cash games with deep stacks and frequent post-flop edges, wider fourbet bluffing and float calling can exploit opponents who can’t navigate complex post-flop play.
Opponent profiling should guide your adoption of fourbets. Versus stationy players who call down light, tighten value fourbet ranges and reduce bluff frequency. Against players who fold excessively to pressure, increase your bluff share and exploit their weakness with well-timed pressure. Against highly aggressive threebettors, consider widening defenses with fourbet-calls to exploit their inability to fold strong but non-premium hands to continued pressure.
Balancing ranges is a theoretical ideal that pays practical dividends. A predictable fourbet range is easy to exploit; balance creates ambiguity. Use blockers intelligently: having an ace or a king in your hand often reduces the likelihood an opponent holds the strongest calling hands, making them excellent candidates for bluffing. Equally, mixing in some medium-strength hands you’re willing to flat can keep opponents guessing and maintain profitable post-flop approaches.
Post-flop considerations matter. If your fourbet gets called, you should have a plan for common flops and board textures. Dry boards favor aggressive continuation actions and allow high-frequency bluffing; wet, coordinated boards favor check-calling or value-mining when you hold showdown-ready hands. Constructing a fourbet strategy without a post-flop plan is a frequent mistake — the preflop raise sets the trap, but post-flop navigation wins the pot.
Practice and review accelerate mastery. Use hand history reviews, solver explorations, and targeted drills to refine sizing and range decisions. Simulations help reveal leak points: when you fold too often to a fourbet, when you bluff too thinly, or when your fourbet-calling range is exploitable. Study opponents’ reactions to different fourbet sizes and adjust dynamically; flexibility is a hallmark of advanced players.
Mental game factors also play a role. Fourbetting often commits you psychologically to high-variance spots; staying objective about expected value rather than short-term outcomes preserves long-term profitability. Maintain bankroll discipline and avoid overusing fourbets in tilt or frustration-driven sessions — the strategy thrives when rooted in clear, context-driven reasoning.
In summary, the fourbet is a multifaceted weapon that, when applied thoughtfully, reshapes preflop dynamics and creates significant strategic leverage. Mastery requires balanced ranges, careful sizing, positional awareness, stack-depth sensitivity, opponent profiling, and solid post-flop plans. Integrate theoretical knowledge with practical table experience, and the fourbet will become a central pillar in your advanced strategic toolkit.