EXAMPLE 3:<\/div>
Preflop:<\/b> Hero is BB with XX
MP2 folds<\/em><\/span>, MP3 calls, 3 folds<\/span><\/em>, Hero ???<\/p>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+.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
Therefore, we get the following range:<\/p>
99-22, ATs-A2s, KJs-K2s, Q2s+, J2s+, T4s+, 95s+, 85s+, 76s, 65s, 54s, AJo-A2o, K2o+, Q5o+, J6o+, T7o+, 97o+, 87o, 76o, 65o<\/p>
\n- Pocket pairs:<\/strong> 22-99 => 8 hands * 6 = 48 combinations<\/li>\n
- Suited hands:<\/strong> ATs-A2s, KJs-K2s, Q2s+, J2s+, T4s+, 95s+, 85s+, 76s, 65s, 54s => 54 hands * 4 = 216 combinations<\/li>\n
- Offsuit hands:<\/strong> AJo-A2o, K2o+, Q5o+, J6o+, T7o+, 97o+, 87o, 76o, 65o => 41 hands * 12 = 492 combinations\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Introduction to the principle of range reduction<\/h1>Range reduction preflop<\/div>
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.<\/p>
EXAMPLE 4:<\/div>
Preflop:<\/b> Hero is BB with ![\"7c\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/7c4.png\" "\\"7c\\"")
![\"7d\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/7d4.png\" "\\"7d\\"")
MP2 raises<\/span>, 4 folds<\/em><\/span>, Hero calls.<\/p>Villain is a TAG and raises from MP2. A typical range for him is:<\/p>
66+, A8s+, KTs+, QTs+, JTs, ATo+, KJo+<\/p>
Hands such as JTo or 98s can be ruled out to a wide extent.<\/p>
EXAMPLE 5:<\/div>
Preflop:<\/b> Hero is BB with
2 folds<\/em><\/span>, CO calls, BU folds<\/em><\/span>, SB raises<\/span>, Hero 3-bets<\/span>, CO folds<\/span><\/em>, SB caps<\/span>, Hero calls.<\/p>The first step is to figure out the range with which the SB isolates the CO. A realistic range could be:<\/p>
55+, A6s+, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T9s, A8o+, KJo+, QJo<\/p>
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.<\/p>
EXAMPLE 6:<\/div>
Preflop:<\/b> Hero is BB with
2 folds<\/em><\/span>, CO calls, BU folds<\/span><\/em>, SB raises<\/span>, Hero 3-bets<\/span>, CO folds<\/em>, SB calls.<\/p>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:<\/p>
88-55, AJs-A6s, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T9s, AJo-A8o, KJo+, QJo<\/p>
EXAMPLE 7:<\/div>
Preflop:<\/b> Hero is MP3 with ![\"As\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/As.png\" "\\"As\\"")
![\"Kh\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/Kh.png\" "\\"Kh\\"")
MP2 folds<\/span><\/em>, Hero raises<\/span>, 3 folds<\/span><\/em>, BB calls.<\/p>In Example 6, constructing a range is much more difficult, because calling ranges are a lot more opponent-specific than opening ranges.<\/p>
The following range is a realistic assumption:<\/p>
88-22, ATs-A2s, K2s+, Q8s+, J8s+, T7s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, 54s, ATo-A2o, KTo, QTo, JTo<\/p>
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.<\/p>
Card removal<\/div>
If you try to put your opponent on a range, it is necessary to extend the frequency principle by the concept of card removal.<\/p>
Reasons for card removal:<\/p>
\n- Your own hand<\/li>\n
- Board cards<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Your opponent cannot have the cards that are open on the board, which reduces the number of possible card combinations of a given hand.<\/p>
Example: You have ![\"Ac\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/Ac4.png\" "\\"Ac\\"")
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:<\/p>
![\"Ad\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/Ad4.png\" "\\"Ad\\"")
, ![\"Ah\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/Ah.png\" "\\"Ah\\"")
, , , ![\"Kc\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/Kc4.png\" "\\"Kc\\"")
, ![\"Ks\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/Ks.png\" "\\"Ks\\"")
, ![\"Kd\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/Kd4.png\" "\\"Kd\\"")
, , , <\/p>
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.<\/p>
Flop:<\/b> ![\"2h\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/2h.png\" "\\"2h\\"")
![\"Jc\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/Jc4.png\" "\\"Jc\\"")
<\/p>
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 :<\/p>
, , , , <\/p>
Villain can only have 7 hand combinations with an A here.<\/p>
Flop:<\/b> <\/p>
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:<\/p>
, , <\/p>
Therefore, Villain can only have , , (3 hand combinations).<\/p>
Flop:<\/b> <\/p>
If you have the ace yourself and there are three aces on the flop, Villain can of course not have another one.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
Hand combinations for one pair:<\/strong><\/p>\n- Suited hands: 3<\/li>\n
- Offsuit hands: 9<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Hand combinations for two pair:<\/strong><\/p>\n- Suited hands: 2 on a rainbow board, 3 if the two community cards are suited. <\/li>\n
- Offsuit hands: 7 on a rainbow board, 6 if the two community cards are suited.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Hand combinations trips:<\/strong><\/p>\n- Suited hands: 2<\/li>\n
- Offsuit hands: 6<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Hand combinations sets:<\/strong><\/p>\n- Pocket pairs: 3<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Hand combinations for quads:<\/strong><\/p>\n- Pocket pairs: 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Hand reading on the flop<\/div>
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.<\/p>
EXAMPLE 8:<\/div>
Preflop:<\/b> Hero is BB with
MP2 raises<\/span>, 4 folds<\/span><\/em>, Hero calls.<\/p>Flop:<\/b> (5 SB) ![\"5d\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/5d4.png\" "\\"5d\\"")
![\"Th\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/Th.png\" "\\"Th\\"")
![\"Jh\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/Jh.png\" "\\"Jh\\"")
(2 players)<\/span><\/p>As earlier, Villain's range consists of:<\/p>
66+, A8s+, KTs+, QTs+, JTs, ATo+, KJo+<\/p>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/Education\/articles\/AdvHandreading\/c_2.jpg\")
<\/p>
\n- Red = Hands that have you beat<\/li>\n
- Green = Hands that you beat<\/li>\n
- Yellow = Split pot <\/li>\n<\/ul>
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:<\/p>
\n- Pocket pairs:<\/strong> 66-AA => 9 hands * 6 = 54 combinations - (5 combos 77 + 6 combos: TT, JJ) = 43 combinations <\/li>\n
- Suited hands:<\/strong> A8s+, KTs+, QTs+, JTs => 12 hands * 4 = 48 combinations - (7 combos: AJs, ATs, KJs, KTs, QJs, QTs, JTs) = 41 combinations<\/li>\n
- Offsuit hands:<\/strong> ATo+, KJo+ => 5 hands * 12 = 72 combinations - (9 combos: KJo, ATo, AJo) =
63 combinations <\/li>\n<\/ul>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.<\/p>
Against this range, you only have have an equity of 29.87% on the flop, which is why you should fold to further action.<\/p>
EXAMPLE 9:<\/div>
Preflop:<\/b> Hero is BB with
3 folds<\/span><\/em>, BU raises<\/span>, SB folds<\/span><\/em>, Hero calls<\/p>Flop:<\/b> (5 SB) (2 players)<\/span><\/p>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:<\/p>
22+, A2s+, K2s+, Q6s+, J7s+, T8s+, 98s, 87s, 76s, A2o+, K7o+, Q8o+, J9o+<\/p>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/Education\/articles\/AdvHandreading\/d.jpg\")
<\/p>
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:<\/p>
\n- Pocket pairs:<\/strong> 22-AA => 13 hands * 6 = 78 combinations - (5 combos 77 + 6 combos: TT,JJ ) = 67 combinations<\/li>\n
- Suited hands:<\/strong> 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<\/li>\n- Offsuit hands:<\/strong> 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<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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.<\/p>
Analysing calling ranges<\/div>
You can of course also analyse these situations when you are the preflop aggressor and get called from the blinds.<\/p>
Preflop:<\/b> Hero is MP3 with ![\"7s\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/7s.png\" "\\"7s\\"")
MP2 folds<\/span><\/em>, Hero raises<\/span>, 3 folds<\/span><\/em>, BB calls<\/p>Flop:<\/b> (5 SB) ![\"4h\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/4h.png\" "\\"4h\\"")
![\"Td\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/Td4.png\" "\\"Td\\"")
(2 players)<\/span><\/p>Earlier on, we assumed a realistic calling range to be:<\/p>
88-22, ATs-A2s, K2s+, Q8s+, J8s+, T7s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, 54s, ATo-A2o, KTo, QTo, JTo<\/p>
Again you have to estimate how well Villain's calling range hits the board.<\/p>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/Education\/articles\/AdvHandreading\/e.jpg\")
<\/p>
First of all you have to divide the overall range into the different hand combinations:<\/p>
\n- Pocket pairs: <\/strong>22-88 => 7 hands * 6 = 42 combinations - (9 combos 33,55,77) = 31 combinations<\/li>\n
- Suited hands:<\/strong> 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<\/li>\n
- Offsuit hands:<\/strong> 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<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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).<\/p>
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 ![\"3d\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/3d4.png\" "\\"3d\\"")
.<\/p>
Preflop:<\/b> Hero is BU with
3 folds<\/em><\/span>, Hero raises<\/span>, SB folds<\/em><\/span>, BB calls.<\/p>Flop:<\/b> (5 SB) (2 players)<\/span><\/p>In the ORC vs BB chart, you find the following range for a defense:<\/p>
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<\/p>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/Education\/articles\/AdvHandreading\/f.jpg\")
<\/p>
\n- Pocket pairs:<\/strong> 22-33 => 2 hands *6 = 12 combinations - (3 combos: 33) = 9 combinations<\/li>\n
- Suited hands:<\/strong> => 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<\/li>\n
- Offsuit hands:<\/strong> 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<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Out of all the 456 combinations, you are only ahead against 297 (65.13%). You split against 6 combinations.<\/p>
Range reduction on the flop<\/div>
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.<\/p>
EXAMPLE 10:<\/div>
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.<\/p>
Preflop:<\/b> Hero is MP3 with
MP2 folds<\/em><\/span>, Hero raises<\/span>, 3 folds<\/span><\/em>, BB calls<\/p>Flop:<\/b> (5 SB) (2 players)<\/span>
BB checks, Hero bets<\/span>, BB raises<\/span><\/p>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.<\/p>
Principle of range division<\/div>
Range division means that you divide Villain's raising range into made hands and draws, since you are still ahead against draws.<\/p>
Villain defends the range we suggested earlier with the following hands:<\/p>
88-22, ATs-A2s, K2s+, Q8s+, J8s+, T7s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, 54s, ATo-A2o, KTo, QTo, JTo<\/p>
Made Hands:<\/strong><\/p>\n- Pocket pairs: 22-88 = 33 combinations<\/li>\n
- Suited hands: A4s, A5s, ATs, KTs, K4s, K5s, QTs, JTs, T7s-T9s, 65s, 54s = 39 combinations<\/li>\n
- Offsuit hands: ATo, A5o, A4o, KTo, QTo, JTo = 48 combinations<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Draws:<\/strong><\/p>\n- Pairs: - <\/li>\n
- 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
![\"6s\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/oldresources\/de\/PICS\/news\/Deck\/6s.png\" "\\"6s\\"")
is not possible because Hero has the himself) = 24 combinations<\/li>\n - Offsuit hands: -<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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.<\/p>
EXAMPLE 11:<\/div>
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.<\/p>
Preflop:<\/b> Hero is MP3 with
MP2 folds<\/em><\/span>, Hero raises<\/span>, 3 folds<\/em><\/span>, BB calls<\/p>Flop:<\/b> (5 SB) (2 players)<\/span>
BB checks, Hero bets<\/span>, BB raises<\/span><\/p>Made hands:<\/strong><\/p>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.pokerstrategy.com\/download\/content\/bilder\/ps_trennlinie.jpg\")
<\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/Education\/articles\/AdvHandreading\/aa.JPG\")
<\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-origin.pokerstrategy.com\/Education\/articles\/AdvHandreading\/bb.JPG\")
<\/p>