What is 1/3 No Limit Holdem Poker? The Complete Expert Strategy Guide

Hey poker fans! As a professional player and streaming enthusiast, I get asked all the time – what‘s the deal with 1/3 no limit holdem? How does it compare to the standard 1/2 games? Do you play differently with deeper stacks?

In this in-depth guide, I‘ll break it all down for you. By the end, you‘ll be a 1/3 expert ready to crush those juicy 100BB+ pots!

Blinds Structure – Where the 1/3 Comes From

The name "1/3" refers specifically to the blinds in the game:

• Small blind: $1
• Big blind: $3

Contrast this to a 1/2 game with $1 and $2 blinds. It‘s only a difference of a dollar, but as we‘ll see, that has a huge impact on strategy!

It means everyone starts the hand with a $3 "ante" up for grabs. This seeds a bigger pot pre-flop compared to 1/2 games.

But the 1/3 part has nothing to do with bet sizing or limits. It‘s still no limit holdem – you can bet or raise anything from $3 up to your entire stack whenever the action allows.

Game Characteristics: Stacks, Buy-ins, and Players

Beyond the blinds, there are some other key differences between 1/3 and 1/2 to consider:

• Stack depths: 100 big blinds is standard in 1/3, versus 50-100BB in 1/2
• Max buy-in: Usually $100-$300 for 1/3, while 1/2 ranges from $50-$300
• Player types: More recreational players and gamblers, less pros and regs
• Rake: Higher in 1/3 due to consistently bigger pots

So in a nutshell, the stakes are a notch higher in 1/3 than 1/2, which attracts looser and less experienced players to the game.

The deeper starting stacks also encourage a more dynamic and aggressive playing style pre-flop and post-flop.

Let‘s look at how to adjust your strategy to crush these juicy games!

Pre-Flop Play: Opening Ranges and 3-Betting Light

Playing 100BB+ deep right from the start changes how we construct pre-flop ranges compared to a short stacked 1/2 game.

Some key adjustments:

• Open looser from early position
• Flat speculative hands in position
• Light 3-bet bluff more frequently
• Mine for implied odds with small pockets

Wider Opening Ranges

With everyone at 100BB stacks, hands like suited connectors and small pockets gain value relative to big card hands.

For example, from UTG I would open:

• 1/2 game: JJ+, AT+, KQs+
• 1/3 game: 66+, A9s+, K9s+, QTs+, JTs, 54s+

See how I‘ve added more suited broadways, connectors, and pocket pairs?

This trend continues as we move towards the button. From the cutoff I‘d add hands like 76s, 65s, 53s, A5s-A2s, and suited aces as opening raises.

Calling Speculative Hands

The deeper stacks allow you to call raises more liberally in position with hands like suited connectors and small pocket pairs.

You‘ll often see players flat from the button or SB with holdings like:

• 78s, 67s, 56s
• 22-44, A2s-A5s
• JTs, T9s, 98s

When stacks are shallow like 50BB, these hands must be open raised or folded. But with 100BB, you can call and realize your equity post-flop.

Light 3-Betting

Recreational players don‘t fold to 3-bets nearly as much as pros and regs. Thus light 3-betting for steals becomes more profitable in 1/3 games.

Hands normally too weak to 3-bet for value become profitable bluffs. From the BTN vs a UTG open, mix in hands like:

• A5s, A4s, 76s, 65s
• 77, 88, JTs, T9s
• KQo, AQo (no Ace blocker)

Be willing to fire two barrels with these hands when called. But don‘t overdo it against observant opponents who will fight back.

Set Mining

Set mining with small pocket pairs (22-55) is more profitable in a 1/3 game due to the implied odds when you hit a set. Stacks go in on the flop all the time when someone connects big.

Make sure you adjust your calling range accordingly based on position. Call a raise in position with up to 55. But tighten up from the blinds – I would only flat 22-33 in the SB and only play higher pairs from the BB.

Post-flop Play: Bigger Bets, Raises, and Bluffs

Once the flop comes, having 100BB or more behind changes post-flop play dynamics significantly.

Some key adjustments:

• Make bigger bets for value and as semi-bluffs
• Raise more frequently as bets and for protection
• Watch out for large check-raises
• Increase your bluffing frequency
• Look to stack off with strong hands

Let‘s explore these concepts further.

Bet Sizing

On dry boards like Q73 or K52, bet 60-75% pot with your strong made hands like top pair good kicker. Go on the smaller end multi-way.

But on wet boards like 6h7h8h or AhJh9d, bet closer to full pot. Charge draws appropriately and deny equity from hands with potential.

Raising and 3-Betting

Players love to raise in 1/3 games with big hands for protection and value. Don‘t be afraid to pile money in when you have it good.

For example, if you flop top set on 972, make it 3x the original bet when raised rather than just calling. Build that pot!

You can also raise as a semi-bluff with your draws more often, since you‘ll likely have fold equity with 100BB stacks.

Check-Raise All-In

When checked to on the flop, betting around 60% pot builds a pot effectively. But occasionally check-raise all-in with monsters like sets or two pair when facing a weak stab.

Just be careful not to overuse this move. Mixing in some check-calls keeps opponents guessing.

Bluffing and Overbets

More chips in play means more opportunities for large bluffs and overbets. On good runouts where you rep the nuts, you can bet very large – even 2-3x pot.

For example, if you 3-bet pre and continuation bet the K72r flop, consider overbet jamming 200%+ pot on a brick turn like a 3. Many opponents will sigh and fold.

Implied Odds and Draws

With 100BB stacks, hands like small flush draws and open-enders take on more value thanks to implied odds. You just need to hit once or twice to stack an opponent.

So call a pot sized bet with hands like backdoor spades, open-enders, and overcards. Play fit-or-fold on most runouts and try to stack them when you hit.

Just be sure your implied odds are good relative to the price given. Don‘t call off half your stack chasing 8 outs unless the payout is massive.

Key Statistic Differences Between 1/3 and 1/2

Here are some of the biggest stat differences between 1/3 and 1/2 games that influence strategy:

Stat	1/2 Game Avg	1/3 Game Avg
VPIP	28%	32%
PFR	18%	22%
WTSD	24%	27%
W$SD	50%	48%
AFq	1.2	1.4

The higher VPIP and PFR show players are entering more pots pre-flop and playing a wider range of hands. Post-flop, the bigger AFq and lower W$SD % tells us players bluff more frequently in 1/3.

Use these tendancies to your advantage and adjust your strategy accordingly!

Final Thoughts: Balance and Observation

While 1/3 games feature loose and aggressive actions, you still need balance to win consistently. If you relentlessly 3-bet, float flops, and bluff every hand, observant opponents will pick up on your tactics.

Make your plays selectively in the optimal situations. Value bet thinner for protection and fold equity. Keep opponents guessing your range by mixing in traps with aggressive lines.

If you see a tough reg in the game, tighten up and let them hang themselves being fancy against weaker players. Then clean up the rest!

So that wraps up my complete guide on dominating those juicy 1/3 no limit holdem games! By using optimal pre-flop ranges, big post-flop bets and raises, and balanced aggression, the deep stacked pots in 1/3 will be yours for the taking.

Let me know if you have any other 1/3 questions. And best of luck at the tables – go get those stacks!