[De-newbie] What is thinking in poker ranges? All advanced players do it.

What is Hand Range?

The Concept of Hand Range

Hand Range refers to the combination of hands a player might hold.

In poker, it’s always necessary to consider what hands your opponent could have. However, predicting a specific hand is difficult, so we think in terms of combinations of hands that the opponent might have. To do this, you need to eliminate “combinations that the opponent can’t have” as the play progresses, thereby narrowing down their hand range.

In summary:

• Play poker while guessing the opponent’s hand
• Predict from possible combinations, not specific hands
• Eliminate ‘impossible combinations’ as part of your thought process

Keep these three points in mind while playing poker. Now, let’s look at a specific example to understand hand ranges.

Specific Examples

Pre-flop

Pre-flop, UTG joins with a raise of 600, CO raises 1800 (3-bet), and then UTG raises 4500 (4-bet).

UTG’s hand range could, for example, have a lower proportion of suited connectors like JTs or 65s, and a higher proportion of premium hands like [AA, KK, QQ, AK].

Thinking Hand vs. Hand Range

Thinking about the opponent’s hand in terms of a range, rather than individually, helps you understand how strong your hand is against the opponent’s range.
If you can estimate the strength of your hand against the opponent’s range, you can differentiate between value bets and bluff bets, leading to more profitable play.

Value Bet

A bet aimed at maximizing the amount of chips won when holding a hand stronger than the opponent’s.

Bluff Bet

A bet aimed at making the opponent fold a hand stronger than yours.
No matter how strong your hand is, if it’s weaker than the opponent’s, you can’t win the pot at showdown. Poker requires thinking about the relative strength of your hand against the opponent’s range and deciding your action accordingly. It’s also important to consider how the opponent perceives your hand range.

If you can think in terms of ‘hand range vs. hand range,’ you’ll become a very formidable player.
This is difficult, so start by thinking about ’your hand vs. the opponent’s range’ in your play.

How to Estimate Hand Range

Hand ranges vary greatly among players, but here are three typical methods to estimate them.

Pre-flop Actions

Check where the opponent is positioned and what actions they took pre-flop. By referring to the pre-flop range chart, you can estimate their hand range to some extent.

For example, if the UTG joins with a raise pre-flop, it’s assumed that UTG’s hand range is relatively strong.

Actions/Bet Sizes

Observe the opponent’s actions (raise, re-raise, call, check) and bet sizes. Keep a close eye on the opponent to find their ‘habits’ and gather information needed to estimate their hand range. Typical tendencies include:

• Consistently checking indicates holding a weak hand.
• A high bet size often indicates holding a strong hand.

Reviewing Hands

Reflecting on the hands and actions your opponent showed in past showdowns can reveal their tendencies.
Even if you’ve folded, the hands shown down by other players are valuable information, so always take note.
Let’s look at a specific method for estimating hand ranges.

Pre-flop

You’re UTG. You join with a raise of 600, and the opponent (BTN) calls.
Estimate the hands the opponent has called with. First, refer to the pre-flop range chart covered in the beginner’s section.

If your hand is one position higher than the raiser’s, call; if two or more positions higher, raise further; if the same or lower, fold.

Therefore, the opponent’s calling hands can be estimated as the yellow-highlighted section, with fewer hands like AA or KK that you lose to. Keep the opponent’s hand range in mind and proceed to the flop.

Flop

The flop is ♦A♠K♣2.
Considering the opponent’s (BTN) hand range, the strongest hand they likely hold is an A hit.
As you hold AK, it’s clear that your hand is very strong against the opponent’s range, allowing you to confidently make a value bet.

Summary

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This chapter explained how to estimate the opponent’s hand range for more profitable play.
It may be difficult at first, but estimating the opponent’s hand range is a constant consideration in poker play.
One thing to keep in mind is not to be too certain about the opponent and to consider various possibilities. Theoretically, any hand is possible.