Lesson
Solving the Ratio: Four-Bet Frequency vs a Maniac 3-Bettor
Exploiting Aggressive Players & Maniacs · advanced · 9 min
Tyler walks through how to adjust opening and four-betting strategy against an opponent who three-bets at an extreme frequency, using a 65% three-bet thought experiment. The lesson focuses on why raise-folding becomes unprofitable, how to estimate a four-bet frequency from solver ratios, and why keeping the same relative four-bet sizing matters.
Key takeaways
- Against a player who three-bets so often that opens rarely get through, do not open hands you plan to fold to a three-bet.
- From early position, the presence of aggressive three-bettors can force a slightly tighter opening range because there are more players left to act.
- Use the ratio of four-bet frequency to three-bet frequency as a practical shortcut; in the example, under the gun four-bets about 42% of the three-bet range.
- Against a 65% three-bet frequency the ratio implies a ~27% four-bet range — on tape Tyler's conclusion is categorical: EP always four-bets, MP always four-bets, the cutoff always four-bets, because those positions open less than 27% of hands.
- Keep four-bet sizing close to the solver's relative sizing, roughly 2.5x to 2.8x in the example, because changing sizing changes the frequency ratios.