Poker Basics - Linear Ranges

Our tips for newbies now moves onto the different types of ranges you encounter based on their shape, starting with linear ranges.

A lot of players struggle to think in terms of ranges and one reason is that they find it hard to visualise them. Thinking of another's player's range in terms of the shape of the range is one way to overcome that. 

The most common shape of range you will encounter is a linear range. A linear range is basically one which starts at Pocket Aces then goes downward in order of the strength of each hand. 

For example, if your opponent opened with the top 20% of hands from middle position, they would likely have a range of 33+, A4o+, A2s+, KTs+, KQo. Some players slightly favour suited broadway hands over weaker Aces/small pairs, but broadly speaking that is what it would look like. 

You would mostly associate the player who is first to raise preflop with having a linear range, assuming there were no 3-bets afterwards which would force them act in such a way that would narrow their range. 

Careful with medium strength hands

A linear range can be quite wide and thus contain a lot of value bets, bluffs and medium strength hands in it. If you open a wide linear range preflop and continue bet on a lot of flops, you create a decent balance of bluffs and value that is hard to exploit. 

The problems come when you bet 100% of the time with a linear range. This puts your medium strength hands in trouble. These are often the hands that work better as check/calls and bluff catchers. When you bet your medium hands you let your opponent fold everything you beat and continue with everything that beats you. 

Most of the time anyone who flats or 3-bets to an opening bet will not have a linear range, which we will cover in the next article. 

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