How Do You Build a Poker Range?

Poker is a game of strategy and skill. One of the most important skills in poker is building a range.

A range is a set of hands that you are willing to play in a particular situation. Building a strong and well-balanced range can help you win more pots and make better decisions at the table.

There are several factors that you should consider when building your range, including your position, the size of the pot, your opponents’ tendencies, and the strength of your hand.

Here are some tips for building a poker range:

1. Consider Your Position

Your position at the table is one of the most important factors to consider when building your range. In early position, you should play tight and only play premium hands like AA, KK, QQ, AK, and AQ.

In middle position, you can widen your range to include hands like JJ, TT, 99, and suited connectors like 87s or 76s. In late position, you can widen your range even further to include hands like suited aces (A2s-A5s), small pairs (22-66), and suited connectors (65s-98s).

PRO TIP:Building a poker range is a key skill to becoming a successful poker player. To start, make sure you understand the basic principles of range construction, such as the concept of equity and how different hands play differently against different ranges. Once you have a good understanding of this, start by building ranges for each street of play (pre-flop, flop, turn and river) and consider how your opponent might play against them. Also, pay close attention to how your opponents are playing and adjust your range accordingly. Finally, practice your range construction skills in real-time by playing against real players.

2. Size of the Pot

The size of the pot can also affect your range. In general, you should play tighter in small pots and looser in big pots. For example, if there is only one bet in the pot preflop, you should be more selective with your hands than if there are multiple bets or raises.

3. Opponents’ Tendencies

You should also consider your opponents’ tendencies when building your range. If your opponents are playing tight and passive, you can widen your range to steal more pots preflop with weaker hands like suited connectors or small pairs. If they are playing loose and aggressive, you should tighten up your range and only play premium hands.

4. Strength of Your Hand

Finally, the strength of your hand should also be a factor in building your range. You should always consider the strength of your hand relative to the board and your opponents’ ranges. If you have a strong hand like top pair with a good kicker, you can play more aggressively than if you have a weak hand like bottom pair.

Overall, building a poker range requires careful consideration of several factors. By taking into account your position, the size of the pot, your opponents’ tendencies, and the strength of your hand, you can build a strong and well-balanced range that will help you win more pots and make better decisions at the table.