Preflop range charts can help you make great starting hand decisions that set you up for poker success.

However, they’re limited in what they know about the hand you’re currently playing.

I’ll share with you their limitations, and give you reasons for widening or narrowing your ranges based on key factors.

Watch this on YouTube:

Listen to episode #539 as you follow along below:

Preflop Range Chart Limitations

Any preflop range chart you use has very little knowledge of the hand you’re currently playing. So…

Do NOT follow ranges blindly.

Have a good reason for every preflop play you make, regardless of your hand fitting within any ranges you use.

Any range you use only knows two things: 1) your position and 2) your opponent’s position. That’s it!

Your ranges don’t know the types of players involved or those still to act; the stack sizes and bet sizes in play; any important table/player/tourney dynamics; etc.

Widen Your Preflop Range

Increase (widen) your raising range when:

• They fold a lot or call with very wide ranges.
• You can isolate weak players (limpers, blinds).
• You have position and they’re exploitable.
• You want to take control of the hand.

Increase your calling range when:

• You want to see flops vs the fish, but they don’t fold vs raises.
• They have post-flop weakness that you can exploit.
• Big stacks are involved, lots of other callers, and when holding a speculative hand.

Narrow Your Preflop Range

Narrow (decrease) your preflop range by dropping off the weakest hands when:

• There are lots of 3bettors still to act.
• Non-folders still to act and your hand is at the bottom of your range (your steal won’t work).

Decrease your calling ranges when:

• Lots of 3bettors still to act.
• Their raise signifies an incredibly strong hand.
• You hold a speculative hand and they have a short stack.

Get the KISS Cash Game Ranges:

Take Action

Before any preflop play, consider more than just your hand & position:

• Player types of those involved and yet-to-be involved.
• Stack sizes for all players.
• Bet sizes.
• Table dynamics, tournament dynamics like the bubble.
• How the remaining players are likely to react.

“What is the best way to play my hand to exploit my opponents?”

“I think I’d rather ___” >>> DO IT!