squeeze

A squeeze is a 3bet after a prior open-raise and at least one flat call. The "squeeze" applies range pressure to both the opener and the caller at the same time.

Detailed Explanation

A squeeze's effectiveness comes from two factors:

1. Against the opener: like a regular 3bet, it forces them to decide fold/call/4bet in a big pot
2. Against the caller: their range is usually middle-strength (TT-66, AJs, KQs) — these hands rarely continue against a squeeze 3bet, because their value is in flatting and playing postflop, which the squeeze removes

Squeeze sizing is larger than a standard 3bet: standard 3bet is ~3× IP, ~4× OOP; squeeze is typically standard 3bet + 1× per caller. Example: 3bb open + 1 caller → squeeze to 12-14bb (vs 9bb with no caller).

Squeeze range design:

• Value: QQ+, AKs/AKo
• Bluffs: weak hands with blocker effect (A5s, A4s, K9s)

Medium hands (99, TT, AJs) usually don't fit a squeeze — flatting is poor (multi-way pot), and being 4bet after the squeeze is awkward.

Common Use Cases

• Late position squeeze: BTN vs EP open + MP flat — positional edge + both opponents OOP
• Blind squeeze: BB vs BTN open + SB flat — needs larger sizing (OOP postflop)
• Against wide callers: known loose-passive callers raise the bluff-squeeze efficiency