Understanding a reliable preflop chart is one of the fastest ways to improve at poker. Whether you play cash games, short-handed tables, or big-field tournaments, a clear plan for which hands to raise, call, 3-bet or fold before the flop reduces guesswork and improves consistency. This article explains how to read, build, and apply a practical preflop chart, with real examples, drills, and common adjustments that separate winning players from the rest.
Why a preflop chart matters
When I first started, I played every hand that looked playable and told myself I was “adjusting.” That randomness cost me chips and confidence. A well-constructed preflop chart creates a baseline strategy—an informed default you can deviate from deliberately instead of by habit. It teaches discipline, helps you recognize good and bad situations quickly, and creates better postflop positions to exploit opponents.
Think of a preflop chart as a map: it doesn’t tell you every turn-by-turn decision, but it shows the safe highways to take and the risky backroads you should avoid unless you know the terrain.
Core concepts embedded in every preflop chart
- Position matters: Early positions require tighter ranges; later positions can open up considerably.
- Stack depth: Deep stacks allow speculative hands (suited connectors, small pairs) to shine; short stacks push/push-fold more.
- Table dynamics: Aggressive tables require fewer marginal opens; passive tables allow you to widen ranges and exploit.
- Opponent tendencies: Tight players allow more steals; frequent 3-bettors require stronger opens and more 4-bet adjustments.
- Game format: Tournament IC M and bubble play change preflop incentives compared to cash games.
Typical preflop chart ranges by position (practical starting point)
Below is a practical, readable set of opening ranges you can memorize and use as a foundation. These are intentionally simplified so you can apply them at the table without software. They assume a full-ring cash game with effective stacks of around 100 big blinds. Adjust for deeper or shallower stacks and for table aggression.
- UTG (Under the Gun): Top-tier hands only — pocket pairs 66+, AQs+, AKo, AJs and KQs occasionally. Open roughly 8–12% of hands.
- MP (Middle Position): Add AJo, ATs, KJs, QJs, and more small pairs and suited connectors like 76s, 65s. Open roughly 12–18%.
- CO (Cutoff): Start stealing: all the above + many suited aces (A9s–A2s), more connectors (T9s, 98s). Open roughly 20–30%.
- BTN (Button): Widest range: raise with a broad spectrum of hands including offsuit broadways, weaker aces, one-gappers suited, and small pairs. Open ~35–50% depending on table.
- SB (Small Blind): Depending on BB and tendencies, you may limp with some hands or raise narrower than BTN because you’re out of position postflop. Open ~18–30% and be ready to defend.
- BB (Big Blind): Defend more liberally against raises; some hands are played as checks/calls for pot control. Defense frequency varies with opponent and raise size.
These percentages are a guideline. The exact composition matters: a 25% range from the cutoff is very different if it includes more suited hands rather than offsuit junk.
Common preflop actions and how to decide
When you’re deciding to open-raise, limp, call, 3-bet, or fold, consider three quick questions: position, pot odds/stack-to-pot ratio, and opponent type.
- Open-raise: Use for value, fold equity and to take the initiative. Ideal from late position or vs weak blinds.
- Call a raise: With speculative hands that play well multiway (suited connectors, small pairs) versus non-aggressive raisers; or with strong hands you prefer to keep multiway pots with marginally.
- 3-bet: Polarized 3-betting: very strong hands for value (QQ+, AK) or bluffs with blockers (A5s, KQs depending). Size matters—large 3-bets can isolate, small ones invite callers.
- 4-bet or fold: Reserve for balance: 4-bet for value with nut hands, and rarely as a bluff if you have fold equity and position knowledge.
- Limping: Generally avoid limping from early positions—prefer raising or folding. Limping can be acceptable in non-standard formats or deep-stack cash games where set-mining matters.
How to build your own preflop chart (step-by-step)
Designing a chart that fits your play style helps you stay consistent. Here is a method I used when moving from amateur to winning micro-stakes play:
- Start with a tight UTG range: list the strongest hands and set a percentage target (10% or lower).
- Expand incrementally for MP, CO and BTN. Add suited aces and connectors as position improves.
- Decide standard open sizes to keep things simple (for example: 2.5–3bb full ring). Use larger sizes versus aggressive blinds.
- Define defense ranges for blinds against typical open sizes. Practice when to 3-bet as isolation vs fold equity move.
- Test the chart in sessions and adjust: if opponents call too wide, tighten 3-bet bluffs; if they fold too often, add more bluffs.
Keep a living document—update ranges when moving between stakes or changing table composition.
Examples: Applying the chart in real hands
Example 1 — Middle position opens to you on the button with 75s: With 100bb and passive blind defenders, this is a classic call or 3-bet call situation. 75s plays well multiway and hits disguised straights and flushes. Calling preserves fold equity postflop and keeps the pot manageable.
Example 2 — UTG raises and you have AJo from the cutoff: This is a 3-bet/fold or call decision depending on UTG’s frequency. Versus a tight UTG, folding AJo is reasonable; versus a frequent raiser, a 3-bet or call could be correct.
Example 3 — Stack depth is 25bb and you hold 88 on the button: In short-stack games, the strategy shifts: push/fold with many hands becomes appropriate. A shove here is standard to maximize fold equity and simplify decisions.
Tools that help—but don’t replace learning
Solvers, equity calculators, and tracking software help refine a preflop chart. I used these tools to understand frequencies and blocker effects better. However, don’t let a solver dictate every non-equilibrium play at low stakes. Real-table reads, exploitative adjustments, and psychological awareness often outweigh tiny GTO frequency gains.
Practice drills: review hands daily, run equity calculations for marginal spots, and practice memorizing opening ranges by position. Over time the chart becomes intuitive.
Adjusting for tournaments and ICM considerations
Tournaments change preflop incentives drastically. Near pay jumps, you should tighten opening and 3-bet ranges to avoid risky confrontations. In late stages with short stacks, widen shove ranges on the button and cutoff to maximize fold equity. Conversely, with very deep stacks in late-stage tournaments, you return to speculative and maneuvering play similar to cash games.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Overcomplicating: If you can’t remember your chart, it’s too complex. Simplify to actionable buckets.
- Not adjusting to opponents: A static chart is a baseline; update it with reads.
- Letting technology replace experience: Tools are complements, not substitutes.
- Ignoring stack depth shifts: A single change in effective stacks can flip a decision from fold to shove.
Practice routine to internalize your preflop chart
- Week 1: Memorize opening ranges for each seat. Play small-stakes online ring games and force yourself to follow them strictly.
- Week 2: Add 3-bet and defense ranges. Review each session for deviations and note opponent types who forced adjustments.
- Week 3: Introduce stack depth scenarios and tournament ICM examples. Practice push/fold charts for short stacks.
- Ongoing: Keep a short session log of tough preflop spots and review weekly to detect leaks.
Where to go next: resources and training
Books, hand history reviews, and selective solver study all contribute. If you want a place to practice variants or casual play while testing your chart, consider checking out this resource: keywords. Use it to run live practice and to test steal and defense strategies in a low-pressure environment.
Final thoughts: make the chart your foundation, not your cage
A preflop chart should be a springboard: it gives you structure, reduces costly mistakes, and frees mental bandwidth for postflop strategy and reads. The best players combine a solid chart with adaptive intelligence—knowing when to deviate, when to punish opponents, and when to simplify in high-pressure spots. Start with the ranges above, practice deliberately, track results, and evolve your chart to match your environment and goals.
With a disciplined baseline and thoughtful adjustments, mastering the preflop chart will quickly translate into more consistent results and a clearer path to higher stakes.
