02 Jan 2025 Intermediate This material is for medium-skilled players 3-bet exploit squeeze The squeeze play is an advanced preflop poker move that can be used in both cash games and tournaments. It’s a highly effective strategy, but it must be used carefully and strategically. What Is a Squeeze Play? A squeeze play occurs when you notice a loose player open-raising from an early position, followed by another player cold-calling. You then re-raise (squeeze) to pressure both opponents into folding and take down the pot. Here’s the logic: The loose player likely open-raised with a wide range of hands, meaning they often don’t have a premium hand. The cold-caller is also unlikely to have a strong hand, as they didn’t 3-bet the loose open-raiser. This strategy attacks both opponents’ weak ranges, allowing you to win the pot even without a strong hand yourself. How to Squeeze Successfully A successful squeeze play depends on reading the situation rather than the strength of your cards. Squeezing is most effective when you’re in a late position with fewer players acting behind you. Squeeze Sizing A good rule of thumb is to re-raise 4x the size of the original raise. Use speculative hands with potential, like suited connectors, so you have equity if you’re called. Stack Sizes Matter Squeeze plays work best in cash games or early tournament stages when stacks are deep. If you’re short-stacked, a squeeze may not be as effective since opponents will have better pot odds to call. Why Does the Squeeze Work? The effectiveness of squeezing relies on the dynamics between Player A (the raiser) and Player B (the caller): Player A knows that the opponent's range is wide and unlikely to contain a premium hand. Player B doesn't 3-bet and cold-calls with a medium-strength hand. When you re-raise, both players are unlikely to have hands strong enough to continue. Player A folds because their hand is only good enough to raise but not to call a squeeze (most of the time). Player B folds because they cold-called to see a flop, not to face aggression preflop. This works regardless of your cards, as long as your opponents’ ranges are weak. Tips for Effective Squeezing 1. Pay Attention to Reads Reads on all players at the table are crucial. You need to know: The open-raiser’s tendencies (Are they opening loosely?) The caller’s tendencies (Are they cold-calling with weak hands? No trapping?) The likelihood of players behind you waking up with strong hands. Squeeze plays are most effective when you’re in late position, minimizing the chance of a premium hand behind you. 2. Consider Your Table Image Your table image plays a significant role in the success of a squeeze. If you’ve been playing tightly, opponents are more likely to believe you have a strong hand when you squeeze. If you’ve been active with marginal hands, opponents may call or 4-bet more often, making your squeeze less effective. 3. Use Proper Sizing The size of your squeezes should be large enough to discourage calls but not so large that it overcommits you to the pot. A squeeze should typically be at least 4x the original raise. If you’re short-stacked, your all-in squeeze should be at least 5x the original raise to reduce opponents’ pot odds. 4. Choose the Right Pot Size The pot should be large enough to justify the risk of squeezing but not so large that opponents are forced to call. Final Thoughts A successful squeeze play depends on your ability to accurately read your opponents and the situation. You need: A loose open-raiser A loose cold-caller A well-timed and well-sized re-raise When used sparingly and strategically, the squeeze play can be a powerful addition to your poker arsenal, helping you win pots without a showdown.
