Quick Summary
- Treat the chart as a baseline: adjust for table dynamics, rake pressure, and opponent profiles.
- Shorter stacks compress decisions; simplify to higher-EV lines without over-mixing.
- Rake sensitivity matters most for marginal opens and thin calls, especially in cash.
Preflop Range Chart + How to Read It
BTN is a positional spot where earlier positions must be tighter and more resilient versus 3-bets. 20bb stacks compress decisions; prioritize clean equity and avoid low-realization lines. Cash 6-max environments reward consistency and rake-aware discipline.
How to Read the Chart
- Dense colors and 100% frequencies form the core of the preflop range.
- Blockers increase bluff quality and reduce opponents’ calling frequency.
- Poor realization = tighter continuation ranges, even with decent raw equity.
Baseline Range Reference
- Always: AA, KK, QQ, AKs, AKo, A5s
- Often: JJ, TT, AQs, AJs, KQs, 99, KJs
- Sometimes: 99, 88, AQo, ATs, KJs, QJs, JTs, A3s, A2s, KTs, QTs, J9s
Range Logic: Why These Hands
The goal of Open-raise is to win blinds and enter pots with hands that realize equity well.
The goal of Open-raise is to win blinds and enter pots with hands that realize equity well in Cash 6-max.
Balanced ranges combine strong value with blocker-driven bluffs to stay resilient versus aggression.
See also: BTN — vs 3-bet 20bb (Cash 6-max, high rake). See also: BTN — Push/Fold 20bb (Cash 6-max, high rake).
Use this preflop range chart as a baseline for BTN Open-raise at 20bb. The goal is consistency, not perfection.
Range work is compounding: small frequency fixes in common spots have the largest EV impact.
The biggest leaks come from frequency drift and impatience in marginal spots; keep the chart open while drilling.
For Cash 6-max, high rake, prioritize hands that realize equity cleanly and avoid low-EV marginal calls.
For Cash 6-max, high rake, prioritize hands that realize equity cleanly and avoid low-EV marginal calls.
Postflop Plan: Common Boards and Lines
Dry Boards
Versus passive opponents, thin value bets are viable; versus aggression, protect your checking range.
Dynamic Boards
On dynamic boards with draws, protect your range and avoid over-c-betting without equity.
Field Adjustments
Versus tight fields, widen steals and open-raises, but tighten vs 3-bets.
Against 3-bet-heavy tables, add blocker 4-bets and tighten cold calls.
Compare with: Section: Cash 6-max.
Rake Adjustments: What Changes at Low Rake
With high rake, marginal opens and calls tighten; focus on hands that play well postflop. Low rake allows a bit more marginal action, but weak realization still burns EV.
Common Mistakes and Quick Fixes
- opening too wide without positional awareness
- ignoring rake impact on marginal hands
- using oversized bets on textures that require pot control
- over-mixing and drifting from target frequencies
- opening too wide without positional awareness
Training: 10-Minute Daily Drill
- Adjust frequencies and fix the highest-EV leaks.
- Run 50–80 training decisions and record mistakes.
- Pick 10–15 borderline hands from the chart.
- Repeat weekly and track EV improvements.
FAQ
How do I train frequencies?
Use a trainer, track mistakes, and repeat the same spots in focused sessions.
Can I widen versus passive players?
Yes, but prioritize hands with strong playability and realization.
What matters more: blockers or realization?
Both. Blockers drive bluff EV; realization drives call EV.
How do I account for rake?
Higher rake = tighter marginal calls and opens, especially in cash.