Preflop Range Visualizer

A preflop range is the set of hands you would play in a given situation. Rather than thinking about specific hands, strong players think in terms of ranges, the complete set of hands they might hold. The 13x13 matrix above represents all 169 unique starting hand combinations in Texas Hold'em. Pairs sit on the diagonal, suited hands above it, and offsuit hands below. A tighter range means fewer hands played, while a wider range includes more speculative holdings.

Position is the single most important factor in determining your preflop range. Under the Gun (UTG) typically opens around 15% of hands because many players act after you. The Button (BTN) can open 40-50% since only the blinds remain. The general rule: the later your position, the wider your range. This is because you have more information about opponents' actions, more fold equity for steals, and positional advantage postflop. Each seat closer to the button adds roughly 5-8% to your opening range.

A balanced range contains a mix of strong hands (value) and weaker hands (bluffs) in the correct proportions. If you only raise premium hands, opponents will fold to your raises and you'll never get paid. If you raise too wide, you'll face tough spots with marginal holdings. The ideal balance depends on your opponents. Against calling stations, tighten up for value. Against nits, widen your bluffing range. Against skilled opponents, aim for game-theory optimal (GTO) frequencies that cannot be exploited regardless of their strategy.

Game Theory Optimal (GTO) play aims for an unexploitable strategy, one that breaks even or profits regardless of what opponents do. Exploitative play deviates from GTO to target specific opponent weaknesses. Modern poker uses GTO as a baseline and then adjusts exploitatively when reads are available. For example, GTO might 3-bet AJo from the cutoff at a certain frequency, but against a player who folds 80% to 3-bets, you'd 3-bet much wider. Use the presets above as GTO starting points, then adjust based on your table dynamics and opponent tendencies.