Range betting is a strategy where you bet with your entire range at a high frequency (70-100%). It leverages the advantage of your entire range, not just individual hands.
Basic Strategy
Basic Premise
- Cash game standard, 100BB stack
- Situations where you have a Range Advantage
- The board is favorable to your range, and your opponent has many weak hands
- Small bet size (1/4 pot to 1/3 pot) with high frequency
Basic Line
Range betting is used "when your entire range is stronger than your opponent's range." It leverages range superiority, not hand strength, to build the pot and deny your opponent's equity.
Key Conditions:
- Range Advantage (wide and strong range vs. narrow and weak range)
- Nut Advantage (holding more of the strongest hands)
- Board Connectivity (your range connects well with the board)
When you bet small and frequently, your opponent cannot fold (due to pot odds) nor can they raise (because your range is strong).
Rationale
- If you have a range advantage, betting with all hands is profitable.
- Small sizes have low risk and deny your opponent's equity.
- High frequency makes it difficult for your opponent to exploit.
Situational Responses
1. When Range Advantage is Large (Preflop Raiser vs. Big Blind)
Use range betting at 90-100% frequency. For example, if the Button open-raised, only the Big Blind called, and the flop is A-7-2 rainbow, the Button has significantly more Ax hands, allowing for a small-sized (1/3 pot) bet with almost all hands.
2. When the Board is Dry and Favorable to Your Range
Use range betting frequency at 70-90%. On dry boards (e.g., K-7-2, A-9-3), your opponent often has many hands with low equity, so you can bet small and frequently to control the pot and extract value.
3. When the Board is Wet or Opponent's Range is Strong
Reduce range betting and bet selectively (40-60%). On wet boards (e.g., 9-8-7, Q-J-T), your opponent can also have many straights and two pairs, so it's better to divide between betting and checking on a hand-by-hand basis rather than range betting.
4. When Opponent Calls the Flop Bet on the Turn
Re-evaluate whether to continue range betting. Your opponent calling means they have some equity, so you should either continue range betting or switch to selective betting depending on the turn card. If the turn is a blank (doesn't help your opponent), you can continue range betting.
Thought Framework
When deciding whether to range bet, analyze in this order:
- Do I have a Range Advantage? (wide and strong range)
- Do I have a Nut Advantage? (more of the strongest hands)
- Does the board connect well with my range?
- Does my opponent's range contain many weak hands? (equity that cannot be folded)
- Is it possible to bet 70-100% frequency with a small size (1/4 pot to 1/3 pot)?
Example Hand Analysis
Example 1: Flop Range Betting (Dry Board)
Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Button (Preflop Raiser)
Preflop: Button raises $6, Big Blind calls
Flop: K♠ 7♣ 2♦ (Pot $13), Big Blind checks, Hero holds 9♥ 8♥
Thought Process:
1. "Who is structurally advantaged on this board?"
→ The Button has significantly more Kx. The Big Blind mostly has weak hands.
2. "What role does my hand play within my range?"
→ 98 is complete air, but since the entire range is strong, it's included in range betting.
3. "Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?"
→ Range bet with a small size. The opponent has some equity and cannot fold, but is not strong enough to raise.
Conclusion: Flop bet $4 (1/3 pot) – Range Betting
Comment: On a K-7-2 dry board, the Button can bet a small size with almost all hands. 98 is a weak hand, but it leverages the strength of the entire range. If the opponent folds, that's good; if they call, you can continue to apply pressure on the turn.
Example 2: Continuing Turn Range Betting (Blank Card)
Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Button (Preflop Raiser)
Preflop: Button raises $6, Big Blind calls
Flop: A♠ 9♥ 3♦ (Pot $13), Big Blind checks, Button bets $4, Big Blind calls
Turn: 5♣ (Pot $21), Big Blind checks, Hero holds K♦ Q♦
Thought Process:
1. "Who is structurally advantaged on this board?"
→ The turn 5 is a blank. The Button still has many Ax hands and maintains the range advantage.
2. "What role does my hand play within my range?"
→ KQ is air, but we continue to apply pressure with a range betting strategy.
3. "Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?"
→ The opponent called on the flop, but the 5 doesn't help them. Continue to apply pressure with a small size.
Conclusion: Turn bet $7 (1/3 pot) – Continue Range Betting
Comment: The turn 5 is a blank, so we continue range betting. KQ is weak, but the Button's entire range is strong, making the bet profitable. If the opponent has 9x or pocket pairs, they will be uncomfortable, and we can continue to apply pressure on the river.
Example 3: Stopping Range Betting (Wet Board)
Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Button (Preflop Raiser)
Preflop: Button raises $6, Big Blind calls
Flop: Q♠ J♠ 9♥ (Pot $13), Big Blind checks, Hero holds A♦ 6♦
Thought Process:
1. "Who is structurally advantaged on this board?"
→ Q-J-9 wet board. The opponent also has a high probability of straights and two pairs. Range advantage is weak.
2. "What role does my hand play within my range?"
→ A6 is complete air. Selective bet/check rather than range betting.
3. "Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?"
→ Range betting on a wet board is risky. The opponent might also check-raise.
Conclusion: Check back – Stop Range Betting
Comment: On a Q-J-9 wet board, we stop range betting. The opponent can also have many strong hands, and A6 has no showdown value, so checking back might be better. Use your position to look for bluffing opportunities on the river.
Example 4: River Range Betting (Small Size)
Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Button (Preflop Raiser)
Preflop: Button raises $6, Big Blind calls
Flop: K♠ 8♣ 3♦ (Pot $13), Big Blind checks, Button bets $4, Big Blind calls
Turn: 2♥ (Pot $21), Big Blind checks, Button bets $7, Big Blind calls
River: 6♠ (Pot $35), Big Blind checks, Hero holds A♣ 9♣
Thought Process:
1. "Who is structurally advantaged on this board?"
→ The Button still has the range advantage. The river 6 is also a blank.
2. "What role does my hand play within my range?"
→ A9 is Ace-high air. However, we can continue to apply pressure with range betting.
3. "Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?"
→ The opponent called twice, but likely has 8x or pocket pairs. A small river bet can induce a fold.
Conclusion: River bet $12 (1/3 pot) – Range Betting Complete
Comment: We complete range betting with a small size on the river as well. A9 is weak, but the opponent might fold middle pairs or weak kickers. A small size has low risk, and consistent pressure on the flop-turn-river can win the pot.
Key Pattern Summary
Pattern 1: Range Betting = Bet with entire range at 70-100% frequency
Pattern 2: Conditions = Range Advantage + Nut Advantage + Board Connectivity
Pattern 3: Size = 1/4 pot to 1/3 pot (small size)
Pattern 4: Dry Board → Prefer Range Betting
Pattern 5: Wet Board → Stop Range Betting, Selective Bet
Pattern 6: Blank Turn → Continue Range Betting
Pattern 7: If Opponent Calls → Re-evaluate on Turn/River
Pattern 8: Weak hands also included in range betting (leveraging the strength of the entire range)
Quiz
Question 1
What is the core concept of range betting?
- A) Bet only strong hands
- B) Bet with your entire range at a high frequency (70-100%)
- C) Bet only bluffs
- D) Always bet a large size
Question 2
What is the appropriate bet size for range betting?
- A) Full pot or more
- B) 2/3 pot
- C) 1/4 pot to 1/3 pot (small size)
- D) 1/10 pot
Question 3
Which board is most effective for range betting?
- A) Wet board (Q-J-T)
- B) Dry board (K-7-2)
- C) Paired board (9-9-3)
- D) Monotone board (flush possible)
Question 4
Which is NOT a prerequisite for range betting?
- A) Range Advantage
- B) Nut Advantage
- C) Always holding a nut hand
- D) Board Connectivity
Question 5
What should you do on the turn if your opponent called your flop range bet?
- A) Always continue range betting
- B) Always check
- C) Re-evaluate based on the turn card (continue if blank, selective if dangerous card)
- D) Always bet a large size
Answers and Explanations
Question 1
Answer: B) Bet with your entire range at a high frequency (70-100%)
Explanation: Range betting utilizes the superiority of your entire range, not the strength of individual hands. It's a strategy to bet at 70-100% frequency, including weak hands, when you have a significant range advantage.
Question 2
Answer: C) 1/4 pot to 1/3 pot (small size)
Explanation: Range betting uses a small size (1/4 pot to 1/3 pot). A small size has low risk, allows for high-frequency betting, and denies your opponent's equity by making it difficult for them to fold (due to pot odds).
Question 3
Answer: B) Dry board (K-7-2)
Explanation: Range betting is most effective on dry boards. Dry boards contain many weak hands in your opponent's range, and your range advantage is clear, allowing you to bet small and frequently.
Question 4
Answer: C) Always holding a nut hand
Explanation: Range betting does not require individual hands to be nuts. The prerequisites are range advantage (overall strength), nut advantage (more of the strongest hands), and board connectivity. Weak hands can also be included in range betting.
Question 5
Answer: C) Re-evaluate based on the turn card (continue if blank, selective if dangerous card)
Explanation: If your opponent called the flop bet, it means they have some equity. If the turn card is a blank (doesn't help your opponent), you can continue range betting, but if it's a dangerous card (e.g., completes a draw), you should divide between betting and checking selectively.
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