10 More Essential Hold’em Strategy Moves: The Cold Four-Bet

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Arved Klöhn Pokerlistings Author
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: January 21, 2025

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There’s no simple fix for becoming a winning poker player.

But there are a handful of simple, easy-to-execute poker moves that can make a world of difference to your bottom line.

By fine-tuning these tactics you’ll have more tools to put to work at the poker table. You’ll be able to better understand your opponents and how to manipulate them, and that will translate directly to money in your pocket.

We already wrote the book on the 10 Essential Texas Hold’em Moves and now we’re back to bring you 10 more.

Today we’ll show you the cold four-bet, one of the strongest pre-flop lines you can take in Texas Hold’em. Used either as a bluff or for value, cold four-betting will make your opponents sit up and take notice, and then usually fold.

But since it’s a four-bet it’s not going to be cheap so we’re here to show you the ins and outs of cold four-betting profitably.

The What: Cold four-betting refers to four-betting without having already put money into the pot. For example: The player under-the-gun raises, the cut-off three-bets and you cold four-bet from the button.

The Why: Because you’re coming into the pot cold, with no money invested, a cold four-bet indicates very strong cards and will usually fold out anything but the most premium starting hands.

The Where: Cold four-betting is only done before the flop and just like the vast majority of poker moves it works best when you’re in position. And since you need a raise and a re-raise in front of you, you’ll find yourself cold four-betting from late position and the blinds most often.

The When: Cold four-betting works in cash games and tournaments but since you’re putting in a fourth bet it doesn’t work when you’re short-stacked.

Four-Betting the Right Way

If you’re playing low-stakes cash games and tournaments chances are you’re not seeing a lot of three-bets, let alone four bets.

And when you do see someone putting in a re-re-raise before the flop it’s with pocket aces or kings. That means when you cold four-bet it’s going to get the table’s attention.

Cold four-betting is such a strong line pre-flop it makes for a very effective bluffing tool. But on the flip side, when you cold four-bet with pocket aces you’re only going to get action from the very best hands.

And since you’ll have to commit 20 big blinds or more to the raise, cold four-betting willy-nilly can be a huge leak.

Cold Four-Betting as a Bluff

In order to cold four-bet bluff profitably you need to find spots where it’s likely the raiser and re-raiser in front of you are playing a wide range of hands and are likely to fold to another raise.

The two biggest factors in determining this are how loose/aggressive those players are and the positions from which they are raising and re-raising.

You should always be aware of how many hands your opponents are playing, and whether they’re raising and re-raising more often than calling.

Look for players who open-raise and 3-bet a lot and go after them. Similarly, most players will raise and re-raise with a wider range of hands when they’re in late position.

There’s a big difference between a raise and a re-raise from early position compared to a raise from the cut-off and a re-raise from the button.

When you’re cold four-bet bluffing always try to do it against players raising and re-raising from late position. Also consider cold four-bet bluffing when you have an ace in your hand since it’s less likely for your opponent to have aces or A-K.

Example: You open to 2.5 big blinds from the cutoff with K Q . The button re-raises to 8 big blinds. From the small blind, you cold four-bet to 20 big blinds holding 9 8 . The button thinks for a while but ultimately folds, giving you the pot.

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Watch the full video below to see how it’s done:

Cold Four-Betting for Value

When cold four-betting for value look for the opposite conditions compared to when you’re bluffing. Since you’re raising with what you believe is the best hand you want to do it against players who will call with worse.

Loose/passive calling stations are the best players to target since they’ll rarely fold and will pay you off when they catch a piece of the flop.

While just flat-calling a three-bet when you’ve got a big hand like pocket aces or kings can be appealing, for beginners it’s far better to raise and play a bigger pot against just one opponent.

You’re always going to need a big hand to be cold four-betting for value but just like when you’re bluffing, things change depending on what position your opponents are raising from.

At most tables you shouldn’t be cold four-betting pocket jacks for value against a raise and a re-raise from early position, but it could be the right move against two loose, late-position raisers.

Example: An under-the-gun player raises to 2.2 big blinds and the hijack re-raises to 7 big blinds. You cold four-bet from the cutoff with A K , expecting to get action from weaker ace holdings or mid-pocket pairs.

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Balancing Your Cold Four-Bet Range

When you see an amateur cold four-bet it’s safe to assume he has an absolute monster. That’s because he only ever does it with pocket aces or kings.

That is to say his cold four-bet range is not balanced. By mixing in bluffs you’ll make yourself less predictable, and you’ll get paid off more often when you do it with pocket aces.

Look for the loose, late-position raisers we described above and get creative with a few cold four-bet bluffs.

Most of the time you’ll win the pot then and there, but when you do get five-bet shoved on and show 6 7 you’ll make your opponent think twice about folding when you do it with aces.

Cold Four-Betting in Tournaments

Cold four-betting as a bluff is particularly useful in tournaments – especially with a 25-big-blind stack. These days players raise and re-raise a very wide range of hands.

By cold-four betting you can increase your stack in a big way even if you don’t pick up a big hand. When you’re playing deep-stacked, cold-four betting as a bluff is a great way to balance your four-betting range.

Cold Four-Betting in Action

Cold four-betting as a bluff is a high-risk maneuver and as you’ll see in the clip below, even if you pick the perfect spot it can still blow up in your face. In this hand from the WSOP Simon Muenz executes a great cold four-bet shove with 6 7 . It was a move that should have worked but somehow Lex Veldhuis figures it out and makes the right call.

Cold 4-Bet Key Takeaways

  • Cold 4-betting works best against loose aggressive opponents raising a really wide range of hands.
  • The more solid your table image, the more credit your opponents will give your four-bet
  • To be effective as a bluff your four-bet has to be big enough to push your opponents out of the hand; usually 25 big blinds is about right.

Expanding Your Cold Four-Bet Repertoire

Cold four-betting thrives in games where opponents play aggressively, but to truly master this move you need to incorporate advanced poker theory and make precise reads on your opponents’ tendencies. Tight-aggressive players respond differently from loose-aggressive ones, so recognizing table composition is essential.

Timing and Table Image

The success of any cold four-bet depends on well-chosen timing. If you’ve shown down only premium hands and have barely played a pot, opponents will be more inclined to fold after your cold four-bet. A good table image often means you’ll face less resistance. However, constantly cold four-betting will erode that tight image and lead to lighter calls. Striking a balance between maintaining a solid reputation and picking off profitable opportunities is what truly separates skilled players from the rest.

Adapting to Changing Stack Depths

Cold four-betting with a short stack can be a powerful all-in maneuver, especially if you’re looking for fold equity in situations where your opponents are raising wide. As stacks get deeper, you have the option to size your 4-bet so it leaves room for post-flop play. Deeper stacks also require more caution, since you risk facing a well-timed five-bet or a call from someone willing to see a flop with strong implied odds. Paying attention to both your own stack size and those of your opponents can help you determine whether a cold four-bet is the best course of action or if you should take a less risky line like flat-calling.

FAQ

What is a cold four-bet?

A cold four-bet is the fourth bet placed pre-flop by a player who hasn’t yet invested chips in the pot, often signaling very strong cards since that player is coming in “cold.”

How can I pick the best spots to cold four-bet bluff?

Choosing when to bluff with a cold four-bet depends on reading opponents’ tendencies and position. You want to target aggressive players who raise and re-raise from late position with wide ranges, since they are more likely to fold to additional pressure.

Should I ever cold four-bet pocket jacks for value?

If you’re facing tight players raising from early position, it’s usually better to proceed with caution and maybe just flat-call or fold. But against loose players who open and three-bet from later positions, cold four-betting with jacks can be a profitable value line.

How does GTO play factor into cold four-betting?

GTO (Game Theory Optimal) play aims to balance your range of hands so you remain unpredictable. By mixing premium hands and selective bluffs in your cold four-bet range, you avoid becoming too transparent and force your opponents into tough decisions.

What if my table is full of tight players who rarely three-bet?

If three-bets are rare, cold four-betting loses some appeal because when someone does three-bet, they usually have a premium hand. In these spots, either adopt a more conservative approach or wait for truly premium hands before cold four-betting.

Are there specific stack sizes that favor cold four-betting?

Players with around 25 big blinds can threaten an all-in cold four-bet in tournaments to maximize fold equity. In deeper cash games, cold four-betting often works best when you size your bets carefully to maintain pressure without committing yourself too heavily unless you’re comfortable playing a big pot.

How does balancing my cold four-bet range help me in the long run?

Balancing your range prevents opponents from putting you on only aces or kings whenever you cold four-bet. Mixing in a few carefully chosen bluff hands keeps competitors guessing, ensuring you get more action when you do hold a monster.

Read More Essential Texas Hold’em Moves:

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