Part: Part Five - Betting Before the Flop

Three-betting for value

Pre-flop
Blinds 100 / 200Pot 900 (4.5 BB)BTNA♦K♣● 25,000 (125 BB)YOUto actMP● 25,000 (125 BB)Openerraises 600 (3 BB)SB● 25,000 (125 BB)posts 100 (0.5 BB)BB● 25,000 (125 BB)posts 200 (1 BB)D

A player opens to 600 from middle position and it folds to you on the button with A♦K♣.

MP opens to 600 (3 BB); you hold A♦K♣ on the button. Best?

WhyThree-bet for value. A-K is far ahead of an opening range and three-betting builds the pot while you're ahead, denies the blinds a cheap look, and lets you play a big pot in position with the initiative.
What happensYou three-bet to 1,900 (9.5 BB); the blinds fold and the opener calls.  Pot: 4,300 (21.5 BB).
Flop
Heads-upPot 4,300 (21.5 BB)A♣9♦5♠BTNA♦K♣● 25,000 (125 BB)YOUtop pair, top kickerMP● 25,000 (125 BB)OpenerchecksD

Flop A♣ 9♦ 5♠ - you flop top pair, top kicker. He checks.

You flop TPTK in a three-bet pot and he checks. Best?

WhyBet for value. In a three-bet pot your TPTK is a monster - bet to get value from worse aces, pairs, and draws, and to build toward stacking him.
What happensYou bet 2,600; he folds.  You take a healthy pot.
You three-bet a premium for value, flopped top pair top kicker in the bloated pot, and bet to collect. Three-betting your big hands builds the pots you want to be playing.

Three-bet your strongest hands for value - it grows the pot while you're ahead and seizes the initiative in position.