Poker Ranges

Last updated on October 11th, 2024

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Mastering poker ranges is like unlocking a new level in your poker game. In simple terms, a range is a set of hands a player could have at a given moment—especially preflop, before any community cards hit the table.

someone making a bluff and about to grab chips

While you can never know exactly what cards your opponent is holding, understanding their potential range gives you a serious edge.

Why? Because it helps you make better decisions, anticipate their moves, and stay one step ahead. In a game full of incomplete information, ranges are your best weapon for making educated guesses and outplaying your opponents.

This Article Will Cover:

What is a Poker Range?
Poker Range Charts
How to Use Poker Ranges
Ranging Your Opponents
Refining Poker Ranges
Betting Type: Frequency and Patterns
Exploiting and Countering Opponents
Tips and Advice

Additionally, you’ll find real-life examples, highlight common mistakes, and tips for mastering this essential poker strategy.

What is a Poker Range?

A poker range is simply the group of hands a player might have in any given moment.

Instead of guessing an opponent’s exact hand, modern poker strategy involves considering the range of hands they could be playing similarly. This makes decision-making more flexible and realistic in a game of uncertainty.

For example, let’s say you’re in a cash game and a player raises to 3 big blinds (bb) from an early position, known as under the gun (UTG).

Their possible hands likely include strong holdings like pocket pairs—AA, KK, QQ, and so on—or high-value broadway cards like AKo (Ace-King offsuit) and AQs (Ace-Queen suited). This set of hands is called their raising range from that position.

Each action—whether it’s raising, betting, or checking—corresponds to a specific range of poker hands.

By understanding ranges, you can anticipate how your opponent might play in different scenarios and react with more confidence.

How to Quickly Calculate Ranges in Poker Games

Accurately estimating an opponent’s range requires considering several factors:

Player Profile: Age, demeanor, and attire can offer insights into their playing style.
Position: Players’ ranges vary significantly based on their position at the table.
Preflop Action: Did they raise, call, or limp? Each action narrows down potential hands.
Postflop Actions: Their bets and raises on the flop, turn, and river further refine their range.

Poker Range Chart

Now that you understand how ranges work, let’s take a look at a visual representation.

In Texas Hold’em, for example, there are 169 unique starting hand combinations, displayed on a 13×13 grid.

Paired Hands: Six combinations (e.g., A♥A♣, A♥A♦, A♥A♠, A♣A♦, A♣A♠, A♦A♠). These run diagonally.
Suited Hands: Four combinations (e.g., A♥K♥, A♣K♣, A♦K♦, A♠K♠). These are located in the top-right section.
Unsuited Hands: Twelve combinations (e.g., A♥K♣, A♥K♦, A♥K♠, A♣K♦, A♣K♠, A♦K♠, A♣K♥, A♦K♥, A♠K♥, A♦K♣, A♠K♣, A♠K♦). These are located in the bottom-left section.

The following chart is commonly found in poker training:

These charts help illustrate which hands belong in different ranges, making your decision-making faster and more accurate during games.

While it may seem that each type of hand has an equal number of combinations, unpaired hands actually have more combinations than paired ones.

How to Use a Preflop Poker Range

Effectively using poker ranges involves hand reading—deducing your opponent’s likely hands based on their actions.

Begin by estimating their preflop range and refine it as the hand progresses based on their betting patterns.

This helps you make informed decisions, better understand your opponent’s strategy, and improve your chances of winning at real money poker.

Practical Applications of Poker Ranges

Let’s explore how to apply poker ranges in a real-world scenario.

Example #1: Refining a Range Based on Board Texture

Imagine your opponent raises preflop and continues to bet on an A♦9♣6♠4♠2♦ board. If you believe their range includes AA, AK, AQ, and AJ, also consider potential bluffs like KQ, QJ, and 87s.

Continuously refining their range based on their actions allows for accurate reads and avoids common mistakes, such as adding hands that weren’t initially in their range.

Example #2: Using a Preflop Range to Navigate Postflop Decisions

Picture yourself in a $1/$2 cash game, and an opponent raises to $8 from UTG.

Lacking much information on them, you assign a standard UTG opening range.

You call from the big blind with 6♦5♦. The flop is K♣9♦5♠, and your opponent c-bets. Given their range, you assess that the flop favors them but decide to call with bottom pair and backdoor draws.

On the turn, a 6♠ gives you two pair, and a large bet from your opponent further narrows their range. When an ace hits on the river and they bet big, you fold, recognizing that their range likely includes stronger hands.

Example #3: Range Estimation from Preflop to River

Consider a hand where your opponent raises to $8 from UTG in a $1/$2 9-max live cash game. You assign them a standard UTG opening range of 22+, ATs+, KJs+, QJs, JTs, T9s, 98s, 87s, AJo+, and KQo.

You call from the big blind with 6♦5♦. The flop comes K♣9♦5♠. This flop favors your opponent’s range of stronger Kx hands and sets, while your range includes more marginal hands.

Your opponent c-bets $6 into $17. Given their range, you call with bottom pair and backdoor draws.

On the turn, a 6♠ gives you two pair. Your opponent bets $25 into $30. Now, you consider their range for this large bet, which likely includes strong top pairs and sets but also some bluffs.

On the river, an Ah appears, and your opponent bets $80. This large bet suggests a polarized range of strong hands and bluffs. Given the board and betting patterns, you fold, recognizing that your two pair is often beaten.

Ranging Your Opponents

Accurately placing your opponent on a range of hands is crucial. Continuously refine their range based on their actions throughout the hand, avoiding common pitfalls like adding hands that weren’t in their initial range estimation.

Example of Ranging

Suppose your opponent raises UTG at a nine-handed table, and you call with 3♦4♦ in the big blind. You estimate their range as 77+, AQo+, AJs+, and JTs+. The flop is 3♠4♠5♦. You check, they bet, you raise, and they shove.

Hands like 76 or A2, better two pairs, or sets weren’t in their preflop range and should not be considered post-flop. Maintaining this discipline leads to more accurate reads and better decisions.

Refining Poker Ranges

To refine your opponent’s range accurately, observe their actions throughout the hand. This process is essential for making informed decisions and maximizing your chances of success.

Preflop Poker Range

A preflop range chart visually represents the hands a player will play from a specific position. If you find it difficult to remember all the hands, group them by similar characteristics, such as all Qx, all Kx, all Jx, etc.

Postflop Poker Range

After establishing a preflop range, use it as the baseline for postflop hand reading. Each action (bet, check, raise) should narrow your opponent’s range. Avoid the mistake of adding hands to their range post-flop that weren’t part of the preflop range.

Common Raise Ranges

Understanding raise ranges is essential for building a strong preflop strategy. The ranges provided here offer a general guideline for the types of hands you should consider raising based on your position.

However, it’s important to remember that these ranges are not set in stone.

They should be adjusted based on factors such as your opponents’ tendencies, the overall table dynamics, and stack sizes.

UTG Raise First In (9%): 66+, AJs, KQs, AJo+, KQo
Early Position Raise First In (15%): 22+, ATs+, KJs+, QJs, JTs, T9s, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s, AJo+, KJo+, QJo
Middle Position Raise First In (20%): 22+, ATs+, KTs+, QTs+, J9s+, T8s+, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s, 54s, ATo+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo
HJ Raise First In (25%): 22+, A7s+, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T8s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 64s+, 54s, A9o+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo, T9o
CO Raise First In (35%): 22+, A2s+, K8s+, Q8s+, J8s+, T7s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 64s+, 54s, 43s, A8o+, A5o-A2o, K9o+, Q9o+, J9o+, T9o
BTN Raise First In (50%): 22+, A2s+, K2s+, Q7s+, J7s+, T7s+, 96s+, 86s+, 75s+, 64s+, 53s+, 43s, A2o+, K5o+, Q8o+, J8o+, T8o+, 98o, 87o, 76o, 65o

Common Call Ranges

Calling preflop raises requires a solid understanding of both position and hand strength. These call ranges help guide your decision-making by outlining the hands typically worth calling from various positions on the table.

Just like with raising, your position relative to the raiser plays a crucial role—the closer you are to the raiser, the tighter your calling range should be.

However, it’s important to adjust these ranges based on the playing style of your opponents and the current table conditions.

BTN Call vs. EP Raise (8%): JJ-22, AQs-AJs, KQs, AQo-AJo, KQo
BB Call vs. EP Raise (13%): JJ-22, AQs-ATs, KJs+, QJs, JTs, T9s, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s, 54s, AQo-ATo, KJo+
BTN Call vs. MP Raise (16%): TT-22, AJs-A9s, KTs+, QTs+, J9s+, T8s+, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s, 54s, AJo-ATo, KTo+, QTo+, JTo
BB Call vs. MP Raise (22%): TT-22, AJs-A2s, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T8s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 64s+, 53s+, 43s, AJo-A9o, KTo+, QTo+, JTo
BB Call vs. LP Raise (30%): 88-22, ATs-A2s, KJs-K8s, Q8s+, J8s+, T7s+, 96s+, 85s+, 74s+, 63s+, 53s+, 43s, ATo-A7o, KJo-K9o, Q9o+, J9o+, T9o, 98o, 87o, 76o, 65o

Betting Type: Frequency and Patterns

The most valuable information from your opponents comes from their actions during the hand. Actions like checking or betting split their range, allowing you to discard hands they likely wouldn’t play that way.

Understanding their patterns helps you deduce how they play different types of hands.

Post Hand Analysis: Learning from Past Hands

Analyzing hands after play, especially those that go to showdown, provides invaluable insights into your opponent’s strategy and tendencies.

Showdown Hand Analysis

Preflop Range: Did their hand align with your expected range for their position?
Preflop Action: Did their preflop play (raise, call, etc.) match the hand they showed?
Postflop Action: Did their betting or checking make sense given their hand?

Pro Tip: Focus on patterns rather than outliers. Consistent behaviors provide more reliable information than one-off unusual plays.

Comparing Equity: Your Hand vs. Your Opponent’s

Estimating your hand’s equity against your opponent’s range is crucial but challenging. Here’s a simplified method:

Assign Your Opponent a Preflop Range: Estimate the range of hands they could have based on preflop actions.
Calculate Equity Versus Value Hands: Determine your hand’s equity against their likely value hands.
Calculate Equity Versus Bluffs: Estimate your hand’s equity against potential bluffs.
Average the Equity: Combine the equities based on the ratio of value hands to bluffs.

This approach, while complex, offers a better understanding of your standing in the hand.

Exploiting and Countering Opponents with Poker Ranges

Accurately calculating and understanding poker ranges gives you a significant edge, allowing you to exploit opponents using concepts like minimum defense frequency and big blind defense.

Minimum Defense Frequency

Your minimum defense frequency is the percentage of hands you must continue with to avoid being exploited by bluffs. The formula is:

(Pot Size / (Pot Size + Bet Size)) x 100 = MDF

For instance, if facing a $100 bet into a $200 pot:

(200 / (200 + 100)) x 100 = 66.7%

This means you need to defend with at least 66.7% of your range to prevent your opponent from profiting with bluffs.

When deciding whether to defend your big blind, consider:

Opponent’s Range: Estimate their range based on position and bet size.
Hand vs. Range Equity: Assess your hand’s equity against their range.
Pot Odds: Determine if the pot odds justify a call.
Additional Factors: Consider positional disadvantage, board texture, and rake.

Adjust your defense based on these factors to make profitable decisions.

Adjusting to Your Opponent

Adjust your play based on observed tendencies. Overfold against tight opponents and call down more against frequent bluffers. Watch for specific behaviors like:

Preflop looseness/tightness
River betting patterns
C-betting frequency
3-betting frequency
Big blind defense frequency
Reactions to overbets

Observing these tendencies helps you exploit imbalances in your opponents’ play.

Using a HUD for Poker Range Analysis

A HUD (Heads-Up Display) provides valuable statistics on your opponents, such as VPIP (Voluntarily Put Money In Pot) and PFR (Preflop Raise). These stats help you understand their preflop tendencies and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Key HUD Stats

VPIP: Indicates how often a player voluntarily enters the pot.
PFR: Shows how often a player raises preflop.
RFI: Raise First In, which breaks down raising frequencies by position.

Analyzing these stats allows you to better gauge your opponent’s range and make more informed decisions.

Common Player Types

Understanding the different types of players you’ll encounter at the table is crucial for adapting your strategy and exploiting their tendencies.

Each player type has distinct habits that you can leverage to gain an edge. Here are the most common player profiles and tips on how to adjust your game to beat them.

The ABC Player

These players have a straightforward strategy, betting strong hands and checking or folding weaker ones. They are generally passive and can be exploited by increasing your aggression, knowing they will fold under pressure.

The Bluffer

These players are highly aggressive, frequently betting and raising, even with weak hands. To counter them, tighten your range and call them down with strong hands, taking advantage of their over-bluffing.

The Thinking Player

These balanced players adjust their strategy based on the situation. They are difficult to exploit but can be identified by their consistent, thoughtful play. Look for specific tendencies in their game to find minor weaknesses to exploit.

How to Enhance Your Hand Reading Skills

Improving your hand reading skills and mastering poker ranges go hand in hand. By thinking in terms of ranges and applying strategic adjustments to your game, you can make better decisions and exploit your opponents more effectively.

Here are key points to enhance your game.

Always Think in Ranges: Avoid trying to guess a single hand; consider the entire range.
Shrink Ranges as You Go: Each action should narrow the opponent’s range.
Pay Attention to Bet Sizing: Different bet sizes can indicate different hand strengths.
Know Your Opponent: Adjust your reads based on their playing style.

Top 4 Tips for Poker Ranges

Mastering poker ranges isn’t just about knowing which hands to play—it’s also about recognizing how different situations affect hand strength and playability.

Here are some practical tips to help you refine your range strategy and improve your overall game.

Avoid Playing Low Pocket Pairs When Short-Stacked: They are tough to play without hitting a set.
Favor Suited Hands: They provide more postflop playability.
Don’t Overvalue Low Suited Connectors: These hands lose value in early positions.
Play Tighter in Early Position: Only raise with stronger hands.

Conclusion

Mastering poker ranges is a vital skill for any poker player. By understanding and applying ranges, you can make better decisions at the table, increasing your chances of success.

Regular practice and study of these concepts will help you become a more formidable player.

Understanding poker ranges comprehensively will enhance your game, leading to more strategic and informed decisions. Whether you play live or online, these skills provide a significant edge over your opponents.