A more advanced concept that you can apply to any poker game should you deem it appropriate, is a light three bet. Light three betting involves re-raising a raise with a hand that more than likely would not win at showdown. This is a very read-dependent play, and should only be made given you have history with the opponent, and you know he is capable of a fold, or you are familiar with his probable actions on subsequent streets.

Let’s say you are in the big blind and it is folded around to the cutoff, which makes it four times the big blind. If you hold a weak poker hand, you could flat call, and try to outplay him on the flop with a weak hand out of position. This is usually a very negative expectation move, as you did not make any indications of strength pre-flop, and you are in a poor position to get any information on the possible holding of your opponent. You could find yourself lost on the turn or river, and may be committing money to the pot drawing dead. To get yourself out of this kind of situation, if you choose to play a pot out of position, you can three bet, and re-raise to ten times the big blind or more, and put the cutoff to a decision. Now you are in the position to make a continuation bet post-flop if he does choose to call, and you also give him the option of folding a weak poker holding if he was just trying to steal.

Another way to make this play is from the cutoff, when someone in middle position opens. Now, you have position on your opponent, and can decide the action post flop. If you don’t like the flop, and think he may hold something strong given he made a call, then you can check behind on the flop, and then re-evaluate the turn. A light three bet is much stronger of a play than a flat call, and when used sparingly, can add great value to your other bets and raises, and may allow you to see more flops as other players will fear your impending action.