Lesson 30 [Intermediate] Building Open Raise Ranges

The foundation of range-based poker begins with systematically building your open raise ranges.

Basic Strategy

Widen your range in good positions, and tighten it in bad positions.

Basic Assumptions:

• 6-max cash game, 100 BB stack
• Opponents are average regular players
• No one has entered the pot from earlier positions

Basic Range Construction Principles:

UTG (Under the Gun): Tightest range, open only about 15-18% of hands

• Premium hands: AA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT, AKs, AKo
• Strong hands: 99, 88, AQs, AQo, AJs, KQs
• Some marginal hands: ATs, KJs, QJs (optional)

MP (Middle Position): Slightly wider than UTG, open about 20-23% of hands

• All UTG range hands
• Additions: 77, 66, KQo, AJo, KTs, QTs, JTs

CO (Cutoff): Even wider, open about 27-30% of hands

• All MP range hands
• Additions: 55, 44, 33, 22 (small pairs), A9s~A2s (suited Ax), T9s, 98s, 87s, 76s (suited connectors), QJo, KJo

BTN (Button): Widest, open about 45-50% of hands

• All CO range hands
• Additions: K9s, K8s, Q9s, J9s, T8s, 97s, 86s, 75s, 65s, 54s (weak suited), JTo, QTo (offsuit Broadway)

Why construct ranges this way:

1. Positional Advantage: In late positions, you always act last after the flop, making even weaker hands more profitable.
2. Fold Equity: Opening from early position leaves many players behind you, increasing the risk of facing a 3-bet.
3. Pot Control: Good position makes it easier to control the pot size, allowing you to play marginal hands efficiently.

Adjusting to Opponent Styles

1. When players in later positions are very tight

Expand your open range by 5-10% from all positions. Since you'll rarely face a 3-bet, marginal hands become more profitable.

2. When there's an aggressive 3-bettor in later positions

Adjust your open range to be slightly tighter, or prepare a 4-bet range against their 3-bets. It's advisable to exclude marginal hands that are weak against 3-bets (like A9s, KJo).

3. When blind players call frequently

Increase the proportion of speculative hands (small pairs, suited connectors) and reduce marginal offsuit hands (KJo, QJo). This is because hands with good implied odds are advantageous in multiway pots.

4. When stacks are short (50 BB or less)

Exclude small pairs and suited connectors from your range, and increase the proportion of high-card hands (AQo, KQo, AJo). It's difficult to realize implied odds with short stacks.

Thought Process

Try to think in this order when deciding whether to open raise:

1. What is my position? UTG? MP? CO? BTN?
2. Is this hand included in my standard open range for this position? Compare with the basic ranges above.
3. What are the tendencies of players in later positions? Tight? Aggressive? Calling station?
4. What is the stack size? 100 BB? 50 BB? 200 BB?
5. Are adjustments needed? Decide whether to maintain, tighten, or widen the standard range.

Example Hand Analysis

Example 1: A9s in CO

Game: Cash game 1/2, 200 BB stack
Position: CO (Cutoff)
Preflop: UTG, MP fold, Hero receives A9s in CO
Pot: $3

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage in this situation?”
   → CO is a good position with only BTN and blinds left to act. A9s is included in the standard CO open range.
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → A9s is a playable suited Ax. It has the potential to make a top pair or a nut flush.
3. “Do opponents have enough hands to fold / do they call frequently?”
   → BTN and the blinds are likely to fold. Opening offers a good chance to win the pot.

Conclusion: Raise $6 (3x BB)

Comment: A9s is a standard open from the CO. If there's an aggressive 3-bettor on the BTN, you might consider folding this hand, but in standard situations, it's a profitable open.

Example 2: KJo in UTG

Game: Cash game 1/2, 200 BB stack
Position: UTG (Under the Gun)
Preflop: Hero receives KJo in UTG
Pot: $3

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage in this situation?”
   → UTG is the worst position. With 5 players left to act behind, the risk of a 3-bet is high.
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → KJo is a medium-strength Broadway hand. It is not included in the standard UTG open range.
3. “Do opponents have enough hands to fold / do they call frequently?”
   → An UTG open receives respect as it represents a strong range, but KJo is a difficult hand to play against a 3-bet or calls.

Conclusion: Fold

Comment: KJo can be opened from MP or CO, but it's less profitable from UTG. If you face a 3-bet, you'll likely have to fold, and it's difficult to play out of position even if you get callers.

Example 3: 75s on BTN (Blinds are Tight)

Game: Cash game 1/2, 200 BB stack
Position: BTN (Button)
Preflop: Everyone folds, Hero receives 75s on BTN
Table Dynamics: SB and BB are playing very tight (VPIP 15% or less)
Pot: $3

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage in this situation?”
   → BTN is the best position. With tight blinds, the steal success rate is high.
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → 75s is a weak suited connector. It's included in the standard BTN range, but can be expanded further when blinds are tight.
3. “Do opponents have enough hands to fold / do they call frequently?”
   → Since the blinds are tight, there's a 70-80% chance they will fold. The EV of winning the pot immediately is high.

Conclusion: Raise $6 (3x BB)

Comment: When the blinds are tight, it's good to expand your range from the BTN. 75s is a playable hand even if called, making it a good open candidate. If the blinds were loose, it would be better to open with only stronger hands.

Example 4: 22 in MP (50 BB Stack)

Game: Cash game 1/2, 100 BB stack (50 BB effective stack, opponent has 50 BB)
Position: MP (Middle Position)
Preflop: UTG folds, Hero receives 22 in MP
Pot: $3

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage in this situation?”
   → MP position, 22 can be opened with a standard stack. However, the effective stack is short at 50 BB.
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → 22 is a small pair, a hand aiming for set value. Implied odds are crucial.
3. “Do opponents have enough hands to fold / do they call frequently?”
   → With a 50 BB stack, it's difficult to extract enough chips from opponents even if you hit a set on the flop. Implied odds are insufficient.

Conclusion: Fold

Comment: Small pairs are highly profitable with deep stacks (100 BB or more). With short stacks, it's difficult to realize implied odds even if you hit a set, so it's better to exclude such hands from your open range. Instead, increasing the proportion of high-card hands like AJo, KQo is more advantageous.

Key Patterns Summary

• Pattern 1: UTG 15-18%, MP 20-23%, CO 27-30%, BTN 45-50% open
• Pattern 2: Widen your range in good positions, and tighten it in bad positions
• Pattern 3: Expand range if players behind are tight, tighten if aggressive
• Pattern 4: Increase speculative hands (pairs, suited connectors) when a multiway pot is expected
• Pattern 5: With short stacks, exclude small pairs and suited connectors, increase high-card hands
• Pattern 6: A balanced open range, mixing value and bluff, is fundamental
• Pattern 7: Suited hands have higher priority than offsuit hands (due to playability)
• Pattern 8: When building ranges, think in terms of categories (premium, strong, marginal) rather than memorizing specific hands

Quiz

Question 1
Approximately what percentage of hands is the standard open range from the CO position?

A) 15-18%
B) 20-23%
C) 27-30%
D) 45-50%

Question 2
You receive KJo in the UTG position. What is the standard play?

A) Fold
B) Limp (call only the big blind)
C) Raise 2.5-3 BB
D) Raise 5 BB

Question 3
How should you adjust when playing from the BTN position and the blind players are very tight?

A) Tighten your open range
B) Expand your open range
C) Increase your raise size
D) Limp more frequently

Question 4
How should you adjust your open range when your stack is short at 50 BB?

A) Increase the proportion of small pairs and suited connectors
B) Keep all hand types the same
C) Exclude small pairs and suited connectors and increase the proportion of high-card hands
D) Only open premium hands

Question 5
You receive A9s in the MP position. What is the standard play?

A) Fold (not included in MP range)
B) Limp
C) Raise (adjustable depending on the situation)
D) All-in

Answers and Explanations

Question 1
Answer: C) 27-30%

Explanation: The CO position is a good position with only the BTN and blinds left to act. The standard open range is approximately 27-30%, which is wider than UTG (15-18%) or MP (20-23%) and tighter than BTN (45-50%).

Question 2
Answer: A) Fold

Explanation: KJo is a medium-strength Broadway hand, but it is not included in the standard UTG open range. UTG is a high-risk position for 3-bets due to many players acting behind, and it's difficult to play out of position. It can be opened from MP or CO.

Question 3
Answer: B) Expand your open range

Explanation: If blind players are tight, you'll rarely face a 3-bet or call, increasing the likelihood of winning the pot immediately. Therefore, even weaker hands become more profitable, so it's advisable to expand your open range. Increasing raise size or limping is not recommended.

Question 4
Answer: C) Exclude small pairs and suited connectors and increase the proportion of high-card hands

Explanation: Small pairs and suited connectors profit from realizing large pots (implied odds) when hitting a set or straight. With a short stack of 50 BB, it's difficult to realize implied odds, making these hands less profitable. Instead, increasing the proportion of high-card hands like AJo, KQo is more advantageous.

Question 5
Answer: C) Raise (adjustable depending on the situation)

Explanation: A9s is a suited Ax hand that is on the borderline of the standard MP open range. In a tight or standard table situation, it can be opened, but if there's an aggressive player in a later position, folding might be considered. Limping is not recommended in any situation.