What Is RFI Range in Poker?

Poker is a game of skill, strategy, and chance. It requires a good understanding of the game’s rules and mechanics to be successful. One of the most important concepts in poker that players need to understand is RFI range.

RFI range, also known as Raise First In range, is the set of hands that a player raises when they are the first one to enter the pot. This concept is crucial because it determines a player’s opening strategy in different positions on the table.

Understanding RFI Range

To understand RFI range, it is essential to first understand position at the table. There are three main positions in poker: early position (EP), middle position (MP), and late position (LP). The EP includes the first two or three players after the blinds, MP includes players four through six, and LP includes players seven through nine.

The strength of your RFI range will depend on your position at the table. Generally speaking, you should have a tighter RFI range in EP and MP because you have more players left to act behind you. Conversely, you can have a wider RFI range in LP because there are fewer players left to act behind you.

Creating an Effective RFI Range

When creating your RFI range, there are several factors you should consider:

1. Your opponents: Consider your opponents’ playing styles and tendencies when creating your opening strategy. If they are tight players who only play premium hands, you may want to widen your RFI range to take advantage of their tightness.

2. Table dynamics: The table dynamics will also play a role in determining your RFI range. If there are many loose players at the table who like to call raises with marginal hands, you may want to tighten up your opening strategy.

3. Stack sizes: Your stack size will also impact your RFI range.

If you have a short stack, you may want to have a narrower range that includes only premium hands. If you have a deep stack, you can afford to have a wider range that includes more speculative hands.

PRO TIP:RFI (Raise First In) range is the range of hands a player is willing to raise pre-flop when they are the first player to enter the pot. A wide range of holdings can be included in an RFI range, however, it is generally considered best practice to open raise with hands of medium to high strength. It can also depend on the stack sizes in play, as deeper stacks allow for more speculative holdings in an RFI range.

Examples of RFI Range

Here are some examples of RFI range for different positions on the table:

Early Position (EP): AA-99, AKs-AJs, AKo-AQo
Middle Position (MP): AJo-AQo, KQs, 88-JJ
Late Position (LP): Any suited Ace, any Broadway (AK-QJ), any pair

Of course, these ranges can be adjusted based on the factors mentioned above.

Final Thoughts

Understanding RFI range is an important concept in poker that can help you improve your game. By creating an effective opening strategy based on your position at the table and other factors, you can increase your chances of winning pots and ultimately become a more successful player.