Poker Polarised Three Bets
Before we delve into the intricacies of creating a polarised three betting range, let us first cover what the term ‘polarised’ means, when related to poker; you are saying that they have absolutely nothing or the complete nuts.
Polarised swings from one extreme to the other.
When you are creating a three betting strategy it often pays to have a polarised range. At the strong end of your range will be hands like AA-QQ & AK and at the bottom end of your range hands like 76s, 65s or other non-premium type hands.
Hands like pocket pairs (22-JJ) and the medium suited connectors have too much post flop playability to be wasted on a three bet.
Example: You are playing in a $1/2 No-Limit Hold’em Six Max cash game. A tight player, who has not gotten out of line, raises to $6 in the cutoff. You look down and see pocket tens, and decide to three-bet, making it $19 from position. Back to the cutoff and he four bets to $42.
In that example, you have now put yourself in a terrible spot with a great hand. Your options are to shove and play for stacks with a hand at the bottom of your range or fold and waste $19 with a great playable hand.
The only exception to the polarised three betting strategy is if your opponent is very loose and passive, never four-bets, and always check-folds the flop. With these types of opponents, you can widen your three-bet value range to incorporate hands such as 77-JJ.
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