The most important part of any strategy at the live poker table is to decide what hands you want to play prior the the deal of community cards. It is important to decide because the actions you take during the preflop stage will determine the outcome of your hand. Today, thanks to the evolution of poker training materials, players are now able to rely on charts that guide them in their decisions. What are the benefits of these charts? We’ll talk in detail about preflop poker charts in live games. Let’s get starated!
What are Preflop charts?
They are visual tools that can help players make decisions based on different factors, such as the player’s position, their stack size and the situation they face. The charts help players make better decisions by providing them with the suggested actions for all possible starting hands, taking into account the player’s current position at the poker table (early, middle or late).
The majority of modern preflop tables are based upon Game Theory Optimal Solutions (GTO), designed so that opponents cannot exploit them. GTO-based preflop charts are based on solutions that poker solvers have calculated to determine the most effective strategies.
How do Preflop charts work?
Beginners and intermediates will find preflop charts particularly useful because:
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You can simplify decision-making by using a preflop chart. The preflop chart will help to clarify which hands you should raise, call or fold depending on where you are in the game and how much action is going on.
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You can improve consistency by following a structure. This will reduce the chances that you make emotional or impulsive choices based on your hand strength. Consistent play will lead to better outcomes and more predictability.
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Some players are prone to playing hands that they shouldn’t. This is either because they overvalue weak hands or because their limping too frequently (calling the large blind but not raising it) leads them to make bad decisions. The use of preflop charts will help prevent leaks by teaching the players to fold weak hands.
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The preflop chart is a good starting point for more complex play. You can start making changes to the preflop charts once you are familiarized with them. This will depend on how your opponents play, the dynamics of the table, and even the flow of the game.
Preflop charts: The basics of live poker
1. Position Matters:
It is important to consider your position when playing live poker. If you decide to play fewer hands, the earlier you can act (under the guns, UTG), then you will have more time. You can play more hands from later positions, such as the cutoff or button, since you will have a better understanding of how your opponents are going to act.
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Early Position: Your preflop chart will look much better in this position. High pairs (AA, KQ, QQ) and connectors with strong suits (AKs, AQs etc.) are the most common hands you’ll play. ).
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Middle Position: You can start expanding your range by adding additional pocket pairs or suited hands from the Middle Position.
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LP (Late Position): Here is when your range will be widest. The late position is the button or cutoff. This allows you to play a weaker hand and try to steal some blinds.
2: Opening Ranges
In live cash poker, particularly at lower stakes, many players will limp or call the big blind without raising. GTO isn’t a place where this type of play would be acceptable. With rare exceptions, the opening ranges – meaning which hands you raise – are more centered on raising or folding.
The majority of preflop charts guide you in raising most hands that exceed a strength threshold specific to your position. These include high pocket pairs, suited connectors and high cards, such as AK, AQ or AQ. All of these can be strong post-flop hands. The use of a limping strategy is not recommended. Instead, a more aggressive approach to preflop play tends to produce better results.
3. 3-Betting and Calling Ranges
You have the option to 3-bet, fold or call if your opponent raises. The preflop chart will allow you to decide which hands are included in the 3-betting range. These hands include premium hands, such as AAs, KKs and AKs. However, they can also be bluffing, like small pairs or suited connectors.
Calling hands are those that have enough strength to keep going but don’t warrant raising. Examples include suited aces and middle pocket pairs. Some preflop charts recommend folding weaker hands so that your chips are preserved and you avoid playing in marginal situations.
4. Stack Sizes and Depth
Blind sizes, as well as stack size are important factors in preflop strategies. Stack depths can be specified, for example, 100 bigblinds (bb), or even 20 bb. This is common when playing cash games and in tournaments.
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If you are playing with 100 deep stacks, your chart preflop may be larger and more flexible. This will give you more space to 3bet or make strategic moves.
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When playing with a shallow stack, it’s best to play an aggressive game and often go all in when you hold a strong hand. The charts, in this case, are much more focused on “push/fold.”
5. GTO Preflop Charts with Mixed Strategies
Modern GTO charts often recommend mixed strategies. If you don’t want to play a particular hand in the same manner every time, then it is better to fold, raise and call depending on what the situation calls for. As an example, you might raise a 99-card hand 50% of the time while folding the rest. The mixed strategies will make you unpredictable and harder to take advantage of.
Preflop charts are useful in live poker.
Although preflop charts provide excellent information, they are not meant to be relied upon or used in real-time. Understanding and memorizing them is the key to successfully integrating into live play. Use them in the following ways:
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Instead of pulling out a chart mid-hand, spend time studying the charts between hands. After some practice, you’ll internalize these ranges so that they can be applied naturally when playing.
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Use the charts according to where you sit at the poker table. Early positions call for tighter ranges, while later positions allow more flexibility. You can keep a disciplined and consistent approach by sticking with the opening ranges recommended for your position.
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Your strategy begins with preflop charts. Just as crucial are your decisions regarding the flop turn and river. You should pair your preflop ranges with a solid post-flop play that makes the most of what you choose to play.
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You’ll learn to adapt your ranges according to the players you are playing against as you become more and more skilled. You might decide to use a greater range of hand combinations if your opponents tend to raise frequently.
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If you are new to preflop charts and want to start with the basics, focus first on positions and ranges. It’s not necessary to learn every hand. Instead, start with the basic hands and then build on that.
Final Thoughts
Players who want to improve on their live games will find preflop charts an invaluable tool. Following these charts gives you the foundation you need to make profitable, disciplined decisions prior to dealing with community cards. Please remember that these are just starting points and not rules. With time, your preflop play will evolve to help you exploit your opponents. Preflop charts will help improve the outcome of your game, regardless of whether you are an advanced or beginner player. If live games are not your thing, the softest online poker tournaments can be found with the help of The Poker Agent, where you do not need preflop charts or special strategies to exploit weaker poker players.
