Quick Summary
- This preflop range chart for SB Open-raise at 20bb in Cash 6-max, high rake prioritizes playability and disciplined frequencies.
- Rake sensitivity matters most for marginal opens and thin calls, especially in cash.
- Treat the chart as a baseline: adjust for table dynamics, rake pressure, and opponent profiles.
- The range is built around value hands, clean blockers, and hands that realize equity well in Cash 6-max.
Preflop Range Chart + How to Read It
SB 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
- Blockers increase bluff quality and reduce opponents’ calling frequency.
- Poor realization = tighter continuation ranges, even with decent raw equity.
- Mixes require discipline: follow the shown frequency, not intuition.
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.
Balanced ranges combine strong value with blocker-driven bluffs to stay resilient versus aggression.
If a hand performs poorly without initiative, it should be folded or mixed at low frequency.
See also: BTN — Open-raise 20bb (Cash 6-max, high rake). See also: SB — Push/Fold 20bb (Cash 6-max, high rake).
When stack depth changes, your Open-raise range should compress or expand accordingly; do not force fixed widths.
Use this preflop range chart as a baseline for SB Open-raise at 20bb. The goal is consistency, not perfection.
For Cash 6-max, high rake, prioritize hands that realize equity cleanly and avoid low-EV marginal calls.
Use this preflop range chart as a baseline for SB Open-raise at 20bb. The goal is consistency, not perfection.
Build discipline by tagging hands that underperform postflop and re-checking their preflop inclusion.
Range work is compounding: small frequency fixes in common spots have the largest EV impact.
Postflop Plan: Common Boards and Lines
Dry Boards
Versus passive opponents, thin value bets are viable; versus aggression, protect your checking range.
Dynamic Boards
Against aggressive players, mix checks and protect strong draws to avoid being exploited.
Field Adjustments
If opponents overcall, shift to hands with strong realization and clean postflop playability.
Against 3-bet-heavy tables, add blocker 4-bets and tighten cold calls.
Compare with: Section: Cash 6-max. Compare with: SB — vs 3-bet 20bb (Cash 6-max, high rake).
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
- using oversized bets on textures that require pot control
- calling 3-bets without a clear postflop plan
- calling 3-bets without a clear postflop plan
- over-mixing and drifting from target frequencies
- ignoring rake impact on marginal hands
Training: 10-Minute Daily Drill
- Repeat weekly and track EV improvements.
- Adjust frequencies and fix the highest-EV leaks.
- Run 50–80 training decisions and record mistakes.
- Pick 10–15 borderline hands from the chart.
FAQ
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.
Should I follow the chart strictly?
No. It is a baseline. Adjust to table tendencies, rake, and dynamics.
How do I account for rake?
Higher rake = tighter marginal calls and opens, especially in cash.