Squeeze
A 3-bet made after an open AND at least one call
Definition
A squeeze is a 3-bet made after one player has opened AND at least one other has called. The name comes from the pressure applied: the opener is "squeezed" between your raise and the players still to act behind, while the caller is sandwiched with no initiative. The squeeze is profitable for three structural reasons. First, the pot already holds more dead money (the open + the call). Second, the caller's range is capped: with a premium hand they would have 3-bet themselves, so they fold often against the squeeze. Third, the opener has to fear not only your hand but also the caller behind, which forces them to tighten up. Squeeze sizing is markedly bigger than a regular 3-bet: roughly 4 times the open plus 1 open per caller when out of position (about 12-13bb against a 2.5bb open and one call), a bit less in position. A balanced squeeze range mixes the top of your value range (QQ+, AK) with blocker-driven bluffs (A5s, A4s, KQs) — no medium hands, which play poorly in a bloated pot.
CO opens to 2.5bb, BTN calls. You're in the SB with A♠K♠: squeeze to ~12.5bb (4× the open + 1× for the caller, out of position). Folding is out of the question, and calling invites the BB into a multiway pot where AK plays poorly. The squeeze isolates, collects the dead money, and builds the pot with one of the best preflop hands.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a squeeze be?
The usual benchmark: about 3× the open in position, 4× out of position, plus 1× the open for each player who has already called. Facing a 2.5bb open plus one call, that gives 10bb in position and 12.5bb from the blinds — enough that the caller can no longer continue at a correct price.
Which hands should you squeeze with?
Clear value (big pairs, AK, AQs) plus bluffs chosen for their blockers and playability, typically A5s-A4s. Small pairs and medium suited connectors usually prefer a cold call when the price is right: they play well multiway and very badly against a 4-bet.