Quick Summary
- 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.
- Rake sensitivity matters most for marginal opens and thin calls, especially in cash.
Preflop Range Chart + How to Read It
UTG 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.
- Mixes require discipline: follow the shown frequency, not intuition.
- Poor realization = tighter continuation ranges, even with decent raw equity.
Baseline Range Reference
- 4-bet value: AA, KK, QQ, AKs, AKo, JJ, AKs
- 4-bet bluff: A5s, KQs
- Call: QQ, JJ, AQs
Range Logic: Why These Hands
The goal of vs 3-bet is to win blinds and enter pots with hands that realize equity well.
The goal of vs 3-bet 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: Section: Cash 6-max. See also: UTG — Open-raise 20bb (Cash 6-max, high rake).
Use this preflop range chart as a baseline for UTG vs 3-bet at 20bb. The goal is consistency, not perfection.
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.
Build discipline by tagging hands that underperform postflop and re-checking their preflop inclusion.
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.
Versus tight fields, widen steals and open-raises, but tighten vs 3-bets.
Compare with: BTN — Open-raise 20bb (Cash 6-max, high rake). Compare with: UTG — Push/Fold 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
- calling 3-bets without a clear postflop plan
- opening too wide without positional awareness
- opening too wide without positional awareness
- over-mixing and drifting from target frequencies
- using oversized bets on textures that require pot control
Training: 10-Minute Daily Drill
- Run 50–80 training decisions and record mistakes.
- Adjust frequencies and fix the highest-EV leaks.
- Repeat weekly and track EV improvements.
- Pick 10–15 borderline hands from the chart.
FAQ
Should I follow the chart strictly?
No. It is a baseline. Adjust to table tendencies, rake, and dynamics.
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.
Can I widen versus passive players?
Yes, but prioritize hands with strong playability and realization.