2 · MAKE YOUR FIRST DECISIONS · LESSON 9 OF 29 · 6 min
Face a raise
Once another player raises, your range usually tightens. Calling leaves the raiser in control of the betting; re-raising, also called three-betting, puts more pressure on them. A strong starting hand may raise again, a medium one may call, and a weak one can be folded without regret.
Pocket kings are a strong re-raise candidate. A small offsuit ace is often a fold against a raise from early position.
Rebuild your plan after someone shows strength
An opening raise changes both the price and the hands you should expect. A player who raises from the first seat usually represents a narrower group than a player opening on the button. Start with the raiser's position and size, then your own position and stack. Do not treat a hand that was good enough to open as automatically good enough to call a raise.
With K♠K♦ and a single ordinary open, re-raising is a natural way to build a pot with a very strong starting hand. With J♠T♠ on the button against an early raise, a call can be close and dependent on stacks, rake, and players behind. The suited hand can make strong draws but is often behind the raiser's big pairs and high cards. A small offsuit ace is more easily dominated by a better ace and may be a clean fold.
If you call, ask what you will do on common flops, not only on the perfect one. If you re-raise, consider which worse hands can continue and what you do if the original raiser raises again. The trainer offers one simplified practice range; a real table's rake and opponents can shift close decisions.
In the prepared spot, name the raiser's likely strong hands, one hand that can call, and one that can re-raise. Then compare your choice with the chart.
The trainer's chart uses one ordinary raise size. It cannot infer an opponent's exact cards or adjust to every table.
MAKE THE CALL
What is a three-bet before the flop?
Start with a prepared decision, then play the rest of the hand with practice chips. Turn on guidance to see the trainer's reasoning.