3-Bet Percentage (3-Bet%)
Also known as: 3-Bet %, 3Bet%, Three-Bet Percentage
3-Bet% is how often a player re-raises preflop. Low (~2-4%) means a nit raising only the nuts; ~8-10% is a solid reg. Read whether their 3-bets are polarized or merged.
3-Bet % measures how often a player re-raises preflop after a single raise — the re-raise frequency that sits on top of PFR and VPIP as your third core preflop stat.
Benchmarks (6-max):
- ~2–4%: a nit re-raising only premiums. Their 3-bets are almost pure value, so respect them — fold marginal opens and 4-bet only the nuts.
- ~8–10%: a solid, balanced reg. They mix value with light/bluff 3-bets and apply real pressure.
- 13%+: aggressive, often a resteal-heavy player attacking late-position opens.
The bigger read is shape. A low 3-bettor runs a polarized range (premiums + a few bluffs) or a tight value-only range; a high 3-bettor leans linear/merged (all their strong-ish hands). The exploit against a low, value-heavy 3-bettor is simple: over-fold to their 3-bets and stop paying off, since they are not bluffing enough to make your calls profitable.
Example
A reg shows a 2.5% 3-bet over a solid sample. When they re-raise your CO open, their range is essentially QQ+ AK plus maybe one ace-bluff combo. Fold your 99 and AJs without agonising — you are crushed far too often and they simply are not 3-betting light enough to defend.