Tim Jenkins, in the "Key Adjustments" lesson of the Exploit category of Upswing Lab 2.0, divides an in-position 3-betting range into three parts: thick value, merged value, and polar bluffs. He says each part benefits from a different opponent response.
Thick value includes the strongest hands, such as 99+, AK, and AQ, though the exact cutoff depends on the situation. These hands want worse hands to keep calling. Excessive folding limits how much action they get.
Merged value includes hands such as AJo, KQo, and suited broadways. Jenkins says these hands can be 3-bet for value against a loose calling range. Frequent 4-bets make this group harder to play.
Polar bluffs rely on folds. Suited wheel aces such as A5s and A4s are his examples. If an opponent rarely folds, Jenkins says the weakest bluffs become much harder to justify.
Against a loose caller who rarely 4-bets, the article suggests widening the linear range and trimming the weakest bluffs. Hands such as AJo, KQo, QJs, and KTs are mentioned as possible additions. Against a player who 4-bets or folds, it suggests a more polarized range with sel