How big should I 3-bet preflop?

Around 3x the open when in position, and 3.5–4x when out of position. Adjust for very small or very big opens.

Bet Sizes in Poker: Simple Sizing for Every Street

Q: What is a good default c-bet size?

About one third of the pot on dry boards. Use bigger sizes on draw-heavy boards.

Q: When should I overbet?

On turns and rivers where you have a nut advantage. Use 1.2–1.5x pot with strong value and select bluffs.

Good bet sizing makes poker simple. Use clear, repeatable sizes. Small on dry boards, bigger on draw-heavy boards. Preflop: open small and steady; 3-bet bigger when you are out of position. This page shows the common sizes and when to use them.

Preflop opens

2.0–2.5x from most seats · 2.0–2.3x on the Button · Iso limpers to 4–6x.

3-bets

In position: ~3x the open · Out of position: ~3.5–4x.

Postflop

¼–⅓ pot (small), ½ pot, ⅔–¾ pot (big), Pot, 1.2–1.5x (overbet).

What is a “bet size”?

Preflop (x = big blinds)

You raise to a number of big blinds. Example: blinds 1/2. An open to 2.2x = 2.2 × big blind (about 4.4 in chips).

Postflop (fraction of the pot)

You bet a part of the pot: ¼, ⅓, ½, ⅔, ¾, Pot, or Overbet.

Preflop bet sizes

Open-raise (first raise)

Early / Middle: 2.0–2.5x
Cutoff: 2.0–2.4x
Button: 2.0–2.3x (you act last later → can open smaller)
Small Blind: vs folds, 3x is common (you’ll be out of position postflop)

Isolating limpers

Raise larger to play heads-up with position.

Rule of thumb: 4–5x + 1x per limper
Example: blinds 1/2, two limpers → raise to 6–7x.

3-bets (re-raise)

In position: about 3x the open (open 2.2x → 3-bet ~6.5x–7x)
Out of position: about 3.5–4x (open 2.2x → 3-bet ~8x–9x)
Vs very small opens, go slightly bigger; vs big opens, slightly smaller.

4-bets (raise the re-raise)

Not all-in: roughly 2.2–2.5x the 3-bet size in position; 2.5–2.8x out of position.
All-in: common with short stacks (tournaments / blinds high).

Postflop bet sizes (when to use them)

Small (¼–⅓ pot)

Dry boards (few draws): e.g., K♣-7♦-2♠
Range/c-bet often with strong advantage
Bluffs are cheap; keeps weak hands in

Medium (½ pot)

Balanced “default” size
Value + semi-bluffs on many boards

Big (⅔–¾ pot)

Wet boards (many draws): e.g., J♥-T♥-9♣
Strong value / strong draws
Charge draws, deny equity

Pot & Overbet (1.0–1.5x)

When you have nut advantage (more very strong hands)
Polarised: strong value or strong bluffs
Good on turns/rivers where your range crushes

Bluff math (1-line rule)

Break-even bluff % = bet / (pot + bet). If you think they fold more than this, your bluff can profit.

Bet size

Break-even folds

Example (pot 100)

¼ pot

20%

Bet 25 → needs 25/(100+25)=20%

⅓ pot

25%

Bet 33 → needs ~25%

½ pot

33%

Bet 50 → needs 33%

⅔ pot

40%

Bet 67 → needs ~40%

Pot

50%

Bet 100 → needs 50%

1.5x pot

60%

Bet 150 → needs 60%

Simple tip: Small bets need fewer folds and let you bluff more often. Big bets deny equity and build the pot when you are strong.

Calling math (quick pot odds)

Call if your chance to win (your equity) is higher than the price you pay.

Facing bet

Your price

Needed equity

¼ pot

Call 25 to win 125

20%

⅓ pot

Call 33 to win 133

25%

½ pot

Call 50 to win 150

33%

⅔ pot

Call 67 to win 167

40%

Pot

Call 100 to win 200

50%

Use the “Rule of 2 & 4” to estimate equity from your outs (see Odds & Outs).

Stack depth tips

Short (≤ 25bb)

Open smaller (2.0–2.2x).
3-bet / shove more often with strong hands.
Postflop: fewer streets; size to get all-in by river with value.

Medium (25–60bb)

Standard opens (2.0–2.5x).
3-bet sizes normal (3x IP, 3.5–4x OOP).
Postflop: small-to-medium on early streets, bigger on turns/rivers.

Deep (60bb+)

Open sizes steady; avoid huge preflop bloats with weak hands.
Use bigger sizes on wet boards with strong value.
Overbets are powerful when you have nut advantage.

Common mistakes

Random sizes each hand (hard to learn from). Pick a few standard sizes.
Betting big on dry boards with weak hands (you fold out worse, get called by better).
Betting too small on wet boards (cheap cards let draws catch up).
3-betting too small out of position (gives great price to call).
Forgetting the math: break-even fold % is bet/(pot+bet).

FAQ — Bet Sizes

What is a good default c-bet size?

⅓ pot on dry boards is a simple default. Go bigger (⅔–¾ pot) on wet boards.

When should I overbet?

On turns/rivers where your range has many very strong hands and the opponent is capped. Use 1.2–1.5x with strong value or strong bluffs.

How big should I 3-bet?

In position: ~3x the open. Out of position: ~3.5–4x. Adjust a bit for very small or very big opens.

Bet Sizes (Easy Guide)