Advanced Hand Reading

Introduction

In this article

• The process of hand reading
  
• Range reduction with the help of reads
  
• How certain cards affect Villain's range (range shift)
  
• How knowing your opponent's range will help you on specific board textures
  

What is hand reading?

Hand reading refers to the ability of putting your opponent on a hand. It is an important, if not the most important skill in poker. If you know how to read your opponents and how to interpret their playing tendencies and their actions correctly, you will less often find yourself in spots where you don't know what the correct course of action is.

How stats can help you

With the help of software such as the Elephant, PokerTracker or Hold'em Manager, you can conveniently display statistics on players. The most important stats for categorising players are VPIP, PFR and AF. Using these, you can make an initial categorisation of players into the four basic player types, which have already been discussed in the Silver article "Post-flop: Basic Hand Reading".

• Tight-aggressive (24/18/2.4)
• Tight-passive (20/8/0.9)
• Loose-passive (45/5/0.5)
• Loose-aggressive (35/27/2.9)

These figures are just examples and many players find themselves somewhere in between. For example, a player with stats of 21/17/2.9 is also considered tight-aggressive just as is a player with stats of 26/20/2.5. The general rule is that without knowing what player type you are facing, advanced hand reading is not possible.

Thinking in ranges

You have probably seen hands before where players justified their calls on the most unsuitable boards by saying "I put him on AK". However, such a statement is only possible in the rarest of cases. The glossary defines the range of a player as "all the possible cards which he would play the same way in a given situation". By the time you reach the river, you have usually been able to narrow down the hand range of a player to a small number of hand combinations, by observing his betting behaviour. As mentioned before, in practice it is nearly impossible to reduce the range to a single hand such as AK.

There are exactly 1,326 hand combinations (52 * 51 / 2) in poker. For the first card, there are 52 different possibilities, for the second card there are 51 possibilities left. The reason that you have to divide the product by two is because and for example represent two different hand combinations, although they are effectively the same hand.

From these hand combinations, you can form the 169 starting hands. They comprise all hands from 32o to AA.

• Each pocket pair has 6 combinations
• Suited hands have 4 combinations
• Offsuit hands have 12 combinations

For AA (pocket pair), there are the following possibilities:

, , , , ,

For AKs (suited hand), there are the following possibilities:

, , ,

For AKo (offsuit hands), there are the following possibilities:

, , , , , ,

, , , , ,

This means that the probability of holding a particular pocket pair (e. g. AA) is 0.45% (6/1326*100). For a specific suited hand (e.g. AKs) the probability is 0.30% (4/1326*100) and for a specific offsuit hand (AKo) it is 0.90% (12/1326*100).

The birth of a range - The preflop range

As soon as a player shows interest in the pot, no matter whether through a call or a raise, you should start thinking about his possible hands. The following factors are decisive in this process:

• Player type: Which of the four categories does Villain fit in?
• Position: A raise from UTG is usually tighter than a raise from the button.
• Action: Does the player raise or limp?

Preflop: Hero is BB with XX
MP2 folds, MP3 raises, 3 folds, Hero ???

Villain is a TAG (25/19/2.5) and raises from MP3. This approximately corresponds to the stats of a TAG who plays according to the ORC. With this information, you can construct the following range:

66+, A6s+, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T9s, A9o+, KJo+, QJo (16.74%)

The overall range can now be split up into pocket pairs, suited hands and offsuit hands:

• Pocket pairs: 66+ => 9 hands * 6 = 54 combinations
• Suited hands: A6s+, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T9s => 18 hands * 4 = 72 combinations
• Offsuit hands: A9o+, KJo+, QJo => 8 hands * 12 = 96 combinations

As you can see: Although the number of suited hands is much higher, they make up a smaller part of the open-raising range than offsuit hands. Let's illustrate this in a little diagram:

Share that the starting hands make up of the overall range:

Share that the hand combinations make up of the overall range:

Preflop: Hero is BB with XX
MP2 folds, MP3 raises, 3 folds, Hero ???

The raise comes from MP3 again, but Villain plays with much looser stats (42/33/3.4). If you have a sufficient sample size of this player, the tracking programs will very reliably display the open-raising standard ranges for each position. In the article, "Pre-flop: Starting Hands and Equity incl. Big Blind Defense" we are giving you some tips that will help you figure out some typical ranges:

• Hand range for a raise from MP2 = ~ 0.75 * PFR
• Hand range for a raise from MP3 = ~ 1 * PFR
• Hand range for a raise from CO = ~ 1.5 * PFR
• Hand range for a raise from BU = ~ 2 * PFR

A typical range from MP3 would approximately equal the PFR and look as follows:

22+, A2s+, K6s+, Q7s+, J8s+, T8s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, A4o+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo, T9o, 98o (33.03%)

• Pocket pairs: 22+ => 13 hands * 6 = 78 combinations
• Suited hands: A2s+, K6s+, Q7s+, J8s+, T8s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s => 36 hands * 4 = 144 combinations
• Offsuit hands: A4o+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo, T9o => 17 hands * 12 = 204 combinations

Preflop: Hero is BB with XX
MP2 folds, MP3 calls, 3 folds, Hero ???

This time, MP3 is a fish and limps his hand. He has been playing with stats of 60/5/0.4. The approach to figure out his range is a different one here. Since the player limps and has a PFR of 5, you can delete the best 5% of hands from his range, i.e. TT+, AJs+, KQs, AQo+.

Theoretically he could of course also limp AA and KK and raise 42o. However, it is usually the best choice to eliminate the best 5% of his starting hands to narrow down his range. This is only valid until you get better reads of course. Loose-passive opponents don't always tend to raise their best hands, but their favourite hands. They also like slow-playing their monsters every now and then.

Therefore, we get the following range:

99-22, ATs-A2s, KJs-K2s, Q2s+, J2s+, T4s+, 95s+, 85s+, 76s, 65s, 54s, AJo-A2o, K2o+, Q5o+, J6o+, T7o+, 97o+, 87o, 76o, 65o

• Pocket pairs: 22-99 => 8 hands * 6 = 48 combinations
• Suited hands: ATs-A2s, KJs-K2s, Q2s+, J2s+, T4s+, 95s+, 85s+, 76s, 65s, 54s => 54 hands * 4 = 216 combinations
• Offsuit hands: AJo-A2o, K2o+, Q5o+, J6o+, T7o+, 97o+, 87o, 76o, 65o => 41 hands * 12 = 492 combinations

Introduction to the principle of range reduction

Range reduction means that you limit your opponent's range based on their decisions. Preflop, you can already start ruling out certain hands based on the actions of these players. Reducing the ranges preflop is essential for your further analysis on the upcoming streets.

Preflop: Hero is BB with
MP2 raises, 4 folds, Hero calls.

Villain is a TAG and raises from MP2. A typical range for him is:

66+, A8s+, KTs+, QTs+, JTs, ATo+, KJo+

Hands such as JTo or 98s can be ruled out to a wide extent.

Preflop: Hero is BB with
2 folds, CO calls, BU folds, SB raises, Hero 3-bets, CO folds, SB caps, Hero calls.

The first step is to figure out the range with which the SB isolates the CO. A realistic range could be:

55+, A6s+, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T9s, A8o+, KJo+, QJo

With , you can 3-bet against this range. However, the SB caps in this situation. After this action, you can further narrow down his initial SB range. A realistic assumption for a TAG in a blind battle could be 99+, AQs+, AQ+. You can usually exclude hands such as A9o here.

Preflop: Hero is BB with
2 folds, CO calls, BU folds, SB raises, Hero 3-bets, CO folds, SB calls.

In this example, the SB only calls the 3-bet. Since you assume that Villain caps 99+, AQs+, AQ+, you can subtract these hands from his SB range. Therefore, you can reduce SB's range to the following hands:

88-55, AJs-A6s, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T9s, AJo-A8o, KJo+, QJo

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with
MP2 folds, Hero raises, 3 folds, BB calls.

In Example 6, constructing a range is much more difficult, because calling ranges are a lot more opponent-specific than opening ranges.

The following range is a realistic assumption:

88-22, ATs-A2s, K2s+, Q8s+, J8s+, T7s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, 54s, ATo-A2o, KTo, QTo, JTo

This range contains hands that are too weak for a 3-bet, but too strong for a fold (against a standard MP3 raising range). However, some players also call hands such as 84s and fold A2o. The basis for improving the construction of your opponent's ranges should be your own observational skills. Even if you are not involved in a certain hand, it is good to observe which hands players call from the blinds with and which they 3-bet with. This is especially true in cases where the ranges are very wide.

If you try to put your opponent on a range, it is necessary to extend the frequency principle by the concept of card removal.

Reasons for card removal:

• Your own hand
• Board cards

Your opponent cannot have the cards that are open on the board, which reduces the number of possible card combinations of a given hand.

Example: You have in your hand. This drastically reduces the probability that Villain has AKo, AKs or AA, because you are blocking several combinations. For AKo, AKs and AA, there are a total of 22 combinations (12 for AKo, 4 for AKs and 6 for AA). You are blocking the following combinations:

 , , , , , , , , ,

You are blocking 3 combinations for AA, 2 for AKs and 5 for AKo. The possible hand combinations have therefore been reduced from 22 to 12.

Flop:

If the flop brings an A, this further reduces the likelihood that Villain has an A. The following combinations can be removed from Villain's range now :

, , , ,

Villain can only have 7 hand combinations with an A here.

Flop:

If the flop brings two aces, Villain will have even fewer possible hand combinations left. The following hand combinations with can be excluded from his range:

, ,

Therefore, Villain can only have , , (3 hand combinations).

Flop:

If you have the ace yourself and there are three aces on the flop, Villain can of course not have another one.

The following examples refer to a specific high card for each kicker, e.g. A6 or K9. Usually it's not important if a made hand is suited or not, but only that it is a made hand and how many card combinations there are for this hand. However there is an exception: Suited hands can also make flush draws and one pair hands.

Hand combinations for one pair:

• Suited hands: 3
• Offsuit hands: 9

Hand combinations for two pair:

• Suited hands: 2 on a rainbow board, 3 if the two community cards are suited.
• Offsuit hands: 7 on a rainbow board, 6 if the two community cards are suited.

Hand combinations trips:

• Suited hands: 2
• Offsuit hands: 6

Hand combinations sets:

• Pocket pairs: 3

Hand combinations for quads:

• Pocket pairs: 1

The next step in reading your opponent's hand is to compare the estimated range with the board texture and to ask yourself against how many hands you are ahead and against how many hands you are already behind.

Preflop: Hero is BB with
MP2 raises, 4 folds, Hero calls.

Flop: (5 SB) (2 players)

As earlier, Villain's range consists of:

66+, A8s+, KTs+, QTs+, JTs, ATo+, KJo+

• Red = Hands that have you beat
• Green = Hands that you beat
• Yellow = Split pot

With 77, you fare pretty badly against the MP2 opening range. Out of 24 hands you are only ahead against seven, you split against 77 (a hand that is very unlikely). In terms of hand combinations this means:

• Pocket pairs: 66-AA => 9 hands * 6 = 54 combinations - (5 combos 77 + 6 combos: TT, JJ) = 43 combinations
• Suited hands: A8s+, KTs+, QTs+, JTs => 12 hands * 4 = 48 combinations - (7 combos: AJs, ATs, KJs, KTs, QJs, QTs, JTs) = 41 combinations
• Offsuit hands: ATo+, KJo+ => 5 hands * 12 = 72 combinations - (9 combos: KJo, ATo, AJo) =
  63 combinations

All in all, Villain's range consists of 147 hand combinations, you are only ahead against 60 of these on the flop (AKs, AQs, KQs, AKo, AQo, KQo, 66). You split against one hand combination (77). However, with the exception of 66, every hand has at least 12 outs against you.

Against this range, you only have have an equity of 29.87% on the flop, which is why you should fold to further action.

Preflop: Hero is BB with
3 folds, BU raises, SB folds, Hero calls

Flop: (5 SB) (2 players)

Confronted with the open-raise from the button, you decide to defend your 77 passively. You re-evaluate your relative hand strength. Villain's open-raising range is much wider from the button than it is from MP2 and approximately looks as follows:

22+, A2s+, K2s+, Q6s+, J7s+, T8s+, 98s, 87s, 76s, A2o+, K7o+, Q8o+, J9o+

You fare much better against the wide range of the button here. Villain raises a total of 71 hands, only 27 of these will beat you, against 43 of them you are ahead and against one you split. In terms of hand combinations, this means:

• Pocket pairs: 22-AA => 13 hands * 6 = 78 combinations - (5 combos 77 + 6 combos: TT,JJ ) = 67 combinations
• Suited hands: A2s+, K2s+, Q6s+, J7s+, T8s+, 98s, 87s, 76s => 37 hands * 4 = 152 combinations
  A7s, K7s, Q7s, 87s, 76s, 2 combos less for each = -10 combos = 142 combos - J7s (3 combos) = 139 combos
  - (12 combos: AJs, ATs, KJs, KTs, QJs, QTs, JTs, J9s, J8s, J7s, T9s, T8s) = 127 combinationen
• Offsuit hands: A2o+, K7o+, Q8o+, J9o+ => 24 hands * 12 = 288 combinations - (24 combos: AJo, ATo, KJo, KTo, QJo, QTo, JTo, J9o) = 264 combinations. For A7o and K7o, a total of 12 combos less = 252 combos

Villain's hand range consists of 458 hand combinations, of which you beat 304 [(5*6) + (26*4-10) + (16*12-12). Many have 12 outs or more against you, all in all you fare pretty well against this range however. Your equity is 49.05% here and you can definitely continue the hand.

You can of course also analyse these situations when you are the preflop aggressor and get called from the blinds.

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with
MP2 folds, Hero raises, 3 folds, BB calls

Flop: (5 SB) (2 players)

Earlier on, we assumed a realistic calling range to be:

88-22, ATs-A2s, K2s+, Q8s+, J8s+, T7s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, 54s, ATo-A2o, KTo, QTo, JTo

Again you have to estimate how well Villain's calling range hits the board.

First of all you have to divide the overall range into the different hand combinations:

• Pocket pairs: 22-88 => 7 hands * 6 = 42 combinations - (9 combos 33,55,77) = 31 combinations
• Suited hands: ATs-A2s, K2s+, Q8s+, J8s+, T7s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, 54s => 37 hands * 4 = 152 combinations - (21 combos: ATs, A9s, A8s, A7s, A6s, A5s, A4s, A3s, A2s, KTs, K5s, K4s, QTs, JTs, T9s, T8s, T7s, 54s) = 131 combinations
• Offsuit hands: A2o-ATo, K7o+, Q8o+, J9o+ => 15 hands * 12 = 180 combinations - (48 combos: ATo, A9o, A8o, A7o, A6o, A5o, A4o, A3o, A2o, KTo, QTo, JTo) = 132 combinations

All in all, Villain's calling range consists of 294 hand combinations. Against 148 of these you are ahead on the flop (51.92%), while you split against 9 of them (A7s,A7o).

Calling ranges also underlie a dynamic. BB will call your button open-raise with a much wider range than an MP3 open-raise. The has become a .

Preflop: Hero is BU with
3 folds, Hero raises, SB folds, BB calls.

Flop: (5 SB) (2 players)

In the ORC vs BB chart, you find the following range for a defense:

33-22, A5s-A2s, KJs-K2s, Q2s+, J3s+, T4s+, 95s+, 84s+, 74s+, 63s+, 53s+, 43s, A7o-A2o, KTo-K4o, Q8o+, J8o+, T8o+, 97o+, 87o, 76o

• Pocket pairs: 22-33 => 2 hands *6 = 12 combinations - (3 combos: 33) = 9 combinations
• Suited hands: => 55 hands * 4 = 220 combinations - (31 combos: A4s, A3s, KTs, K4s, K3s, QTs, Q4s, Q3s, JTs, J4s, J3s, T9s, T8s, T7s, T6s, T5s, T4s, 84s, 74s, 64s, 63s, 54s, 53s, 43s) = 189 combinations
• Offsuit hands: A7o-A2o, KTo-K4o, QTo-Q8o, J8o+, T8o+, 97o+, 87o, 76o => 26 hands * 12 = 312 combinations - (54 combos: A7o-A2o, KTo, K7o, K4o, QTo, Q7o, JTo, T9o, T8o, 97o, 87o, 76o) = 258 combinations

Out of all the 456 combinations, you are only ahead against 297 (65.13%). You split against 6 combinations.

The next step in the range reduction process is to further narrow down the preflop range based on the further action. How far you can reduce the range here varies from opponent to opponent. Reads and the categorisation of the player into one of the four options will help you here.

Villain is aggressive and familiar with the concept of equity. On a board like this, he raises every pair and every draw, including gut shot draws. He would continue to play A-high without flush draw passively.

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with
MP2 folds, Hero raises, 3 folds, BB calls

Flop: (5 SB) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, BB raises

Based on the range that you constructed preflop, you can now make estimations about a range that Villain would continue to play in this way.

Range division means that you divide Villain's raising range into made hands and draws, since you are still ahead against draws.

Villain defends the range we suggested earlier with the following hands:

88-22, ATs-A2s, K2s+, Q8s+, J8s+, T7s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, 54s, ATo-A2o, KTo, QTo, JTo

Made Hands:

• Pocket pairs: 22-88 = 33 combinations
• Suited hands: A4s, A5s, ATs, KTs, K4s, K5s, QTs, JTs, T7s-T9s, 65s, 54s = 39 combinations
• Offsuit hands: ATo, A5o, A4o, KTo, QTo, JTo = 48 combinations

Draws:

• Pairs: -
• Suited hands: A6s-A9s, A3s, A2s, K6s-K9s, K3s, K2s, Q8s, Q9s, J9s, J8s, 98s, 97s, 87s, 86s, 76s, 65s = 22 Combinations for the flush draw + 5 combinations for the straight draw (three for 65s and only two for 76s since is not possible because Hero has the himself) = 24 combinations
• Offsuit hands: -

In this case, Villain's range can be reduced from the original 294 combinations to a total of 142 combinations. Out of these 142 combinations however, 24 are only draws, 2 (A8s, A9s) already have you beat. That's why it is important to estimate your opponents' calling ranges. For example, even on a draw-heavy board you would have to fold your A7s on the turn at the latest, because there are simply too few hands that you would beat. If Villain has a looser calling range with more suited connectors and offsuit connectors, you cannot fold your A-high here.

Villain is passive this time, but defends the same range as Villain from Example 10. He only raises top pair and better, and plays all draws passively.

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with
MP2 folds, Hero raises, 3 folds, BB calls

Flop: (5 SB) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, BB raises

Made hands:

• Pocket pairs: 44, 55 = 6 combinations
• Suited hands: ATs, KTs, QTs, JTs, T7s-T9s = 19 combinations
• Offsuit hands: ATo, KTo, QTo, JT = 33 combinations

Draws:

• None

Out of 294 hand combinations, there are only 48 left in Villain's range after the flop raise. You don't beat a single hand from this range and are almost drawing dead against some of them. As you can see, it is much easier to put a player on a hand range if he only starts action with the best hands in his range.

Preflop: Hero is BU with
3 folds, Hero raises, SB folds, BB calls.

Flop: (5 SB) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, BB raises

Villain is the same aggressive player from Example 1. Since you are the BU this time, he is defending with a wider range. Due to his shifted calling range and the 3 instead of the 5, he also has a different check/raising range now. Villain defends with the following range:

33-22, A5s-A2s, KJs-K2s, Q2s+, J3s+, T4s+, 95s+, 84s+, 74s+, 63s+, 53s+, 43s, A7o-A2o, KTo-K4o, Q8o+, J8o+, T8o+, 97o+, 87o, 76

Made hands:

• Pocket pairs: 22-33 = 9 combinations
• Suited hands:, A4s-A3s, KTs, K4s-K3s, QTs, Q4s-Q3s, JTs, J4s-J3s, T4s+, 84s, 74s, 64s-63s, 53s+, 43s = 74 combinations
• Offsuit hands: A4o, A3o, KTo, K4o, QTo, JTo, T9o, T8o = 66 combinations

Draws:

• Pairs: -
• Suited hands: A5s, A2s, KJs, K9s-K5s, K2s, QJs, Q9s-Q5s, Q2s, J9s-J5s, 95s+, 85s+, 75s+, 65s = 31 combinations for the flush draw, 6 combinations for the straight draw = 37 combinations
• Offsuit hands: 9 combinations

As you can see, you are behind against 149 combinations, while you are ahead against 46. Compared to the previous example, the relative share of draws in Villain's check/raising range is higher.

Conclusion:

You should not blindly continue on draw-heavy boards. Compare the calling range with the check/raising range as often as you can. Otherwise you will risk the danger of putting Villain on draws that he can't even have due to his preflop calling range.

The problem of fixed betting sequences

The problem of fixed betting sequences occurs with hands that you continued to play passively after Villain's last action.

Preflop: Hero is BB with
3 folds, BU raises, SB folds, Hero calls

Flop: (5 SB) (2 players)
Hero checks, BU bets, Hero..?

Villain's bet is a fixed betting sequence. It means that Villain will bet 100% of his range after his raise preflop and your check to him. Villain's original, wide range can't be reduced any further after his bet. A range reduction can only take place if you raise here. Hands such as would have to fold right away here. However, your equity on this board is not enough for a raise and you therefore decide to call. On the turn you are still playing against Villain's entire button opening range.

The range analysis on the turn is based on how much the turn card strenthens or weakens Villain's range on the flop. The more action there was preflopand on the flop, the easier it is to narrow down Villain's range.

Preflop: Hero is BB with
3 folds, BU raises, SB folds, Hero calls

Flop: (5 SB) (2 players)
Hero checks, BU bets, Hero calls

Turn: (3,5 BB) X (2 players)
Hero checks, BU bets, Hero ???

Again, the problem of fixed betting sequences comes into play here. Many players bet a lot of turns and it's therefore almost impossible for you to narrow down Villain's range. The Cbet Turn% stat is helpful here. With TAGs, this stat is usually between 75% and 80%. If the figure is considerably lower, you have to pay much more credit to the turn bet; if it is over 90%, Villain's range only changes slightly compared to the flop.

Preflop: Hero is BU with
3 folds, Hero raises, SB folds, BB calls

Flop: (5 SB) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, BB raises, Hero calls

Turn: (3.5 BB) X (2 players)
BB bets, Hero ???

The situation is easier if you have already performed the range division. Whether or not you can continue to play depends on three factors:

• Does Villain's made hand range get reduced? Every 3, 4 and T reduces the number of made hands that Villain can have due to the card removal effect.
• Does your own range improve? Every 7 and every A improves your own range so much that you should definitely go to the showdown against aggressive opponents.
• Do any draws get completed? The lethal cards in this example are every 2, 5 and 6 as well as every , except and , since with these you might actually be ahead of Villain's possible made hands.

In this example, you should play the river just how you played the turn. This means that you will go to the showdown with many A-high cards if no draws are completed.

You need to play differently if you only played passively up until the river. In this case, reads play a bigger role for your decision.

Preflop: Hero is BB with
3 folds, BU raises, SB folds, Hero calls

Flop: (5 SB) (2 players)
Hero checks, BU bets, Hero calls

Turn: (3.5 BB) X (2 players)
Hero checks, BU bets, Hero calls

River: (5.5 BB) X (2 players)
Hero checks, BU bets, Hero ???

The river is the street on which most players abandon their FBS and re-evaluate their hands. You now have to ask yourself: How often will Villain bet a weaker hand here?

Is the equity still sufficient for a call? The turn and the river might already have worsened your own equity so much that you can definitely fold your hand. The worst case would be a on the turn and a on the river.

On every poker platform you will eventually face players who, just like you, learned poker at PokerStrategy.com. They will have similar stats as you and make life hard for you by playing aggressively. As a source of support, the following two charts "Hand reading vs ORC" and "Hand reading vs '3-betting vs ORC'" will help you with your hand reading.

Explanation:

The ranges from the "Approx Chart (german)" serve as the basis here. An MP2 range therefore consists of the following hands:

66+, A8s+, KTs+, QTs+, JTs, ATo+, KJo+

This hand range consists of 174 hand combinations (174/1326*100 = 13.12%). In this range, 72 hand combinations contain a non-paired ace: A8s+, ATo+.

52 hand combinations contain a non-paired king: AKs, KTs+, AKo, KJo+. In the chart, it's very easy to see which high card occurs how often and can therefore improve to a pair more or less frequently on the flop. However, these ranges don't take into consideration the illustrated card removal effect of your own cards and the board.

If you are playing a TAG style yourself, strong players will 3-bet you according to the "3-betting vs ORC" chart. If another TAG 3-bets you, you can use the second chart now. If you raise from MP3 and Villain 3-bets, you can put him on the following range:

66+, A9s+, KQs, AJo+, KQo (138 hand combinations)

50% of this are hands that contain a non-paired ace (A9s+, ATo+ = 62 combinations), 46.15% are pocket pairs (66+ = 54 hand combinations) etc.

Of course, not every TAG will 3-bet the same ranges. However, the chart will help you during the hand reading process in many ways.

• A-high hands make up the biggest part of every opening range.
• The percentages of pocket pairs decrease in the range.
• Loose ranges hit low card boards better than tight ranges.
• 3-betting ranges contain A-high much more often than normal open-raising ranges.
• The percentage of K-high in 3-betting ranges increases towards later positions.

As you can see, these charts make life a lot easier against TAGs.

Summary

Hand reading is a very complex topic. In every individual hand, ranges vary depending on boards, opponents, their position and the action on the particular streets. This article has given you the tools necessary to minimise wrong decisions.

LINKS
Related articles: Post-flop: Basic Hand Reading Pre-flop: Starting Hands und Equity incl. Big Blind Defense Discussion forum: Discuss this article in the forum