Preflop Ranges: How They Are Built and Used

A preflop range is the set of hands you play a given way in a given spot – open-raise from the cutoff, 3-bet against a button open, call from the big blind. Ranges are the most learnable part of poker because the spots repeat exactly, and they are the part of the game where a bot’s play is closest to a solver’s.

What shapes a range

• Position. Later positions open wider because fewer players remain to act.
• Stack depth. Deeper stacks favour hands that make strong postflop holdings; shorter stacks favour high cards and pairs.
• Prior action. Facing a raise you need a stronger range than opening; facing a raise and a call, stronger still.
• Rake and ante. High rake tightens ranges; antes loosen them.

Solver-derived ranges

Preflop solvers compute equilibrium ranges for a given table configuration. The results are published in chart form by many study tools. They differ in detail between solvers and depend on assumptions – bet sizes, rake, number of players – so a chart is a starting point rather than a law.

Structure of a good range

Opening ranges are made of value hands and hands that play well when called. 3-bet ranges mix strong hands with a few weaker hands that block opponents’ strong holdings. Calling ranges consist of hands too good to fold and not good enough to raise. Ranges are meant to be balanced enough that opponents cannot narrow your holdings much from the action alone.

Learning ranges

Memorising a full chart set is a matter of weeks with drills. Learn opening ranges by position first, then defence from the blinds, then 3-bet and 4-bet ranges. Tools with training modes, such as GTO Wizard, grade your answers. Charts consulted during a hand are real-time assistance and are banned by rooms; see bot vs RTA.

Ranges in a bot

Our bot’s preflop play is a range lookup keyed by position, stack and action; see how it works. Postflop is where things get harder, as GTO basics explains.