UTG Pre-flop Ranges

In this lesson, you will find the pre-flop ranges for playing from UTG in a No-Limit 6-max game. You will be introduced to an open raising range and how to continue with this range when facing a 3-bet.

Additionally you will learn which characteristics and tendencies of the standard opponent the creation of these ranges is based on. Crush the games on the virtual felt.

Open raise range

Range: 55+, ATs+, KTs+, QTs+, J9s+, T8s+, 97s+, 87s, 76s, AJo+, KQo (#176 / 13%)

Open raise size:  3BB

4-Bet size:  22BB against < 9BB 3-bet and 24 BB against > 10BB 3-bet

Against a 3-bet from MP

Defending range: JJ+, AQ+, KQ (#72)
	Call: AsAc, KdKh, KdKs, KdKc, AhKd, AsKd, AsKh, AcKd, AcKh, AcKs, QQ-JJ, AQs+, KQs (#34)
	4-Bet/Fold: AQo, KQo (#24)
	4-Bet/Call: AdAh, AdAs, AhAs, AdAc, AhAc, KhKs, KhKc, KsKc, AdKh, AdKs, AdKc, AhKs, AhKc, AsKc (#14)

Against a 3-bet from the cut off

Defending range: TT+, AQ+, AJs, KQ (#82)
	Call: AsAc, KdKh, KdKs, KdKc, AdKh, AdKs, AdKc, AhKs, AhKc, AsKc, QQ-TT, AQs+, KQs (#40)
	4-Bet/Fold: AJs, AQo, KQo (#28)
	4-Bet/Call: AdAh, AdAs, AhAs, AdAc, AhAc, KhKs, KhKc, KsKc, AhKd, AsKd, AsKh, AcKd, AcKh, AcKs (#14)

Against a 3-bet from the button

Defending range: TT+, AQ+, AJs, KQ (#82)
	Call: QQ-TT, AsAc, KdKh, KdKs, KdKc, AQs+, KQs, AdKh, AdKs, AdKc, AhKs, AhKc, AsKc (#40)
	4-Bet/Fold: AJs, AQo, KQo (#28)
	4-Bet/Call: AdAh, AdAs, AhAs, AdAc, AhAc, KhKs, KhKc, KsKc, AhKd, AsKd, AsKh, AcKd, AcKh, AcKs (#14)

Against a 3-bet from the small blind

Defending range: JJ+, AQ+ (#56)
	Call: AsAc, KdKh, KdKs, KdKc, QQ-JJ, AQs+, AKo (#36)
	4-Bet/Fold: AQo (#12)
	4-Bet/Call: AdAh, AdAs, AhAs, AdAc, AhAc, KhKs, KhKc, KsKc (#8)

Against a 3-bet from the big blind

Defending range: TT+, AQs+, KQs, QJs, JTs, AQo+ (#74)
	Call: TT+, AQs+, KQs, QJs, JTs, AKo (#62)
	4-Bet/Fold: AQo (#12)

Why these ranges for UTG?

UTG ranges are usually under attack from polarized 3-bets from MP, the cut off and the button. Depending on the UTG open raising range, your opponents will have a 3-bet frequency between 4-10%. AK and QQ will often just call against an open raise.

A 13% open raising range from UTG is a tight range and there are two reasons for this: one is that there are five players that can attack your range and the other is the fact that a simple raise doesn't take down the blinds frequently enough.

A database analysis has shown that 44-22 and ATo can't be played profitably. Suited and connected hands such as J9s+, T8s+, 97s+, 87s, 76s are better in playability since you will hit a flush draw or a straight draw more frequently. You can bet with these hands on multiple streets and make it difficult for your opponents to go to showdown with their top and middle pairs against your UTG range.

When playing against 3-bets you should always have two ranges. A passive call 3-bet range and a 4-bet range. In order to make your call 3-bet range not too exploitable, you should add a couple combos of AA and KK.