Here are the answers and explanations for our “Do You Know When to C-Bet in 4-Bet Pots” quiz.
Note that this is an especially tough subject to make a quiz about because solver solutions are very fragile in 4-bet pot scenarios. In other words, small changes to the inputs can have a large impact on the postflop solution.
That said, you can certainly learn a lot from the answers and explanations below
Hand #1
Online $0.25/$0.50. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $50.
Hero is in HJ with Q♣ Q♦
UTG folds. Hero raises to $1.25. CO 3-bets to $3.75. 3 folds.
Hero 4-bets to $10.3. CO calls.
Flop ($21.35): A♠8♦ 3♣
Hero…?
A – Checks
B – Bets $5
The correct answer is B, bets.
Ace-high boards are amazing for the 4-bettor since most of the range contains an Ace. The range advantage is tremendous for you, so much so that the best strategy is to bet 100% of the time for a small size like 25-33% pot.
Hand #2
Online $0.25/$0.50. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $50.
Hero is on the BTN with K♠J♣
3 folds. Hero raises to $1.25. SB 3-bets to $5. BB folds.
Hero 4-bets to $11.5. SB calls.
Flop ($23.5): T♠8♦ 5♣
SB checks. Hero…?
A – Checks
B – Bets $7.75
The correct answer is B, bets.
With a dominating top range advantage (top pairs and overpairs), you should putting a lot of pressure on the Small Blind’s range. This is especially true given that he has to fold a lot of good equity hands such as AQo, KQs no backdoor flush draw, and KJs. Betting with KJo is mandatory in this scenario.
Hand #3
Online $0.25/$0.50. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $50.
Hero is on the BTN with A♥ 7♥
3 folds. Hero raises to $1.25. SB 3-bets to $5. BB folds.
Hero 4-bets to $11.5. SB calls.
Flop ($23.5): A♦ 8â™ 5â™
SB checks. Hero…?
A – Checks
B – Bets $6
The correct answer is A, checks.
It is true that Ace-high flops are the best for the 4-bettor. But when you are in position against the opponent, it’s much easier to realize your equity with the medium part of your made hands (KK–JJ, Q8s, etc.) because you can just check back. When you do so, you need to protect those hands with some hands that can call two bets such as A7-suited or A4-suited.
Hand #4
Online $0.25/$0.50. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $50.
Hero is on the BTN with A♦ T♥
3 folds. Hero raises to $1.25. SB 3-bets to $5. BB folds.
Hero 4-bets to $11.5. SB calls.
Flop ($23.5): J♠6♦ 3♦
SB checks. Hero…?
A – Checks
B – Bets $7.5
The correct answer is B, bets.
Jack-high flops are very good for you in position because some of your bluffs are now top pairs (KJo, J8s for example) and you still retain the overpair advantage. Overall, you want to play a very aggressive strategy, and betting with ATo with a backdoor nut flush draw and backdoor straight draw is a great decision.
Hand #5
Online $0.25/$0.50. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $50.
Hero is in the CO with A♦ A♥
2 folds. Hero raises to $1.25. BTN 3-bets to $3.75. 3 folds.
Hero 4-bets to $10.3. BTN calls.
Flop ($21.35): 9♣ 7♦ 3♦
Hero…?
A – Checks
B – Bets $7.5
The correct answer is B, bets.
Even though it’s not the best board for you, you have plenty of hands that want to value bet like AA. It’s not that hard to put the Button in a tough spot with a small bet, forcing him to defend with a bunch of very weak hands such as AQ and AJ without backdoor flush draws.
Hand #6
Online $0.25/$0.50. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $50.
Hero is in the CO with Kâ™ Tâ™
2 folds. Hero raises to $1.25. BTN 3-bets to $3.75. 3 folds.
Hero 4-bets to $10.3. BTN calls.
Flop ($21.35): 9♣ 7♦ 3♦
Hero…?
A – Checks
B – Bets $7.5
The correct answer is B, bets.
This isn’t a great board for you, but you still have plenty of hands that want value. You can put the Button in a tough spot with a small bet, forcing him to defend with a bunch of very weak hands. For this reason, and the fact that you are folding out better Kx hands (such as KQs and KJs without a flush draw), KTs is a great choice for semi-bluffing.
Hand #7
Online $0.25/$0.50. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $50.
Hero is in the CO with T♦ Tâ™
2 folds. Hero raises to $1.25. BTN 3-bets to $3.75. 3 folds.
Hero 4-bets to $10.3. BTN calls.
Flop ($21.35): A♣ Q♣ 7♦
Hero…?
A – Checks
B – Bets $5.5
The correct answer is B, bets.
Since Ace-high boards are so beneficial to the 4-bettor, the best strategy is often to bet with the entire range for a small size. TT acts as a semi-bluff in this case, folding out better hands such as JJ, and even KQs (at least in theory).
Hand #8
Online $0.25/$0.50. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $50.
Hero is in the CO with K♥ Q♣
2 folds. Hero raises to $1.25. BTN folds. SB 3-bets to $5.
BB folds. Hero 4-bets to $11.25. SB calls.
Flop ($23): T♦ T♣ 3â™
SB checks. Hero…?
A – Checks
B – Bets $7.5
The correct answer is B, bets.
The board is not amazing for the 4-bettor since none of the bluffs improve (AQo, KQo, AJo, K9s, etc.). That being said, AA-QQ want to bet for value and thus a bluffing range needs to be created. KQo works perfectly for this job since it has 2 overcards and a backdoor straight draw to improve in order to beat some of the pocket pairs that will call on the flop.
Hand #9
Online $0.25/$0.50. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $50.
Hero is in the CO with A♥ 5♥
2 folds. Hero raises to $1.25. BTN folds. SB 3-bets to $5.
BB folds. Hero 4-bets to $11.25. SB calls.
Flop ($23): K♠Q♣ T♦
SB checks. Hero…?
A – Checks
B – Bets $5.5
The correct answer is B, bets.
This board smashes your range so hard that the only missed hands are small Ax suited. When this happens, you need to use a very small size to persuade the opponent into calling with some hands still. Even AQs is struggling to find a profitable call against a quarter pot bet.
Hand #10
Online $0.25/$0.50. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $50.
Hero is in the CO with Q♥ Q♦
2 folds. Hero raises to $1.25. BTN 3-bets to $3.75. 3 folds.
Hero 4-bets to $10.3. BTN calls.
Flop ($23): 8♠7♣ 6♣
Hero…?
A – Checks
B – Bets
Despite having way more combinations of strong pocket pairs as the preflop aggressor, you actually have to play very passively on very connected and middling flops like this one. This is because the preflop caller has many more combinations of super strong hands, such as 88/77/66, 87s, and T9. When you have a “nut disadvantage” in this way, you have to check very often — arguably with your entire range — including with an overpair like pocket queens.
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