Hand ranges in poker on preflop and postflop

Poker is a game of strategy and psychology, and one of the most important aspects of strategy is hand ranges. A range in poker, sometimes also called a spectrum, is a set of pocket cards that a poker player is prepared to play with in a particular game situation. The term includes different types of spectrums, such as call, raise, 3-bet and 4-bet. Each of them determines what hands a player is ready to play depending on various factors.

A hand range is a set of hands that a player can hold in a particular situation. It’s especially important to understand preflop and postflop ranges in order to make more informed decisions and maximise your success at the poker table.

Preflop hand ranges

Preflop is the initial round of play when players receive their first two cards (pocket cards). Understanding what preflop ranges are helps you determine which hands to play and which to fold. It is important to remember that they can vary depending on the type of poker (Texas Hold’em, Omaha, etc.) and the style of play of your opponents. Below is a basic strategy for Texas Hold’em, one of the most popular types of poker offered by all the best online casinos for real money.

1. Strong hands (e.g. A-A, K-K, Q-Q and A-K) are usually raised (raised) preflop. Your goal is to maximise your pot as much as possible, as you have a high probability of winning.
2. Middle hands (for example, 10-10, J-J, Q-J and A-x with the same suit) can also be raised, but they are more sensitive to the actions of opponents. Here, you can choose between limping (the equivalent of a minimum bet) and raising, depending on your position at the table and your playing style.
3. Speculative hands (for example, 5-6 of the same suit) should be played more cautiously, most often by limping. They have the potential to form strong combinations, but often require the help of common cards (flop, turn, river).
4. Bluff hands (for example, 7-2) are usually folded, but sometimes you can use them to bluff to confuse your opponents. They rarely make strong hands, but they can be useful for variety and bluffing.

As we have already mentioned, preflop is the initial stage of poker, it has its own peculiarities in the game. Therefore, when you analyse your pocket cards, consider the following factors.

• Playing from a late position (when you are one of the last to make a move) allows you to see the actions of other players and make more informed decisions.
• If your opponents are aggressive, you can raise with stronger hands. If they’re passive, you can limp with lesser hands.
• If the stakes are high, at a stage like preflop in poker, be careful with the hands you choose to play.
• Your personal preferences and goals in the current game also influence the choice of hands.

Understanding preflop hand ranges allows you to balance your game and adapt to different situations. Gradually develop your analysis skills to become a more successful poker player.

Read also: Flop in poker: types, playing different situations with examples.

Postflop hand ranges

While the term preflop refers to the beginning of the game, postflop begins after the first three face cards (the flop) are revealed and continues after each subsequent face card (the turn and river). Understanding the postflop spectrum of hands is a key skill for determining which hands you can continue to play and which ones you should fold after the reveal of the common cards. What you should pay special attention to at this stage if you have installed an online casino on your mobile and participate in a competition.

1. Evaluate how the common cards affect your hand. For example, if you have a pair of queens and two additional queens are revealed on the flop (three of a kind on the table), your hand has become stronger. If there are three cards of the same suit on the table, you have the potential to flush.
2. Your position remains an important factor. Playing in a late position allows you to see other players’ moves and make decisions based on their actions.
3. Evaluate what combinations you can make on the following streets (turn and river) and what chances you have for success.
4. Consider what hands your opponents might have, their playing styles and positions at the table. For example, aggressive players may bluff more often, while passive players may fold easily.
5. The size of the pot and the stakes affect the decision to continue playing. Remember that proper bankroll management is important for long-term profitability.

During a tournament, every experienced player knows that the preflop value affects the outcome of the entire hand and can determine the success of the game.

The following are examples of postflop spectrums.

• The strong range contains hands that form strong combinations or have a great potential for improvement after the opening of the general cards. This can include pairs, three of a kind (set), flush draws, and straight draws.
• The middle range contains hands with good potential for improvement, but which do not form strong combinations on the flop. These can be middle pairs, straight and flush draws, combinations of cards of the same suit.
• The weak range is formed by hands that need significant improvement to have a chance to win. This can include incomplete draws (hands that require two or more cards to form a combination) or cards that have the potential to form strong hands.
• The bluff range contains hands that do not have the potential for a strong hand, but can be used to bluff and confuse opponents.
• The mixed range consists of different cards and combinations to make your game less predictable.

Read also: Downswing in poker and how to deal with it.

It is important to remember that post-flop analysis of hand ranges requires experience and the ability to read opponents. Improving in this area can significantly increase your chances of playing poker successfully and making more informed decisions on each street (flop, turn, river). Special matrices and graphs are often used in poker to visualise spectra and make analysis easier. These tools help players make more informed decisions and build successful strategies in different situations at the table. In conclusion, if you were looking for a casino with a deposit of 1 USD or more, please follow this link. Read more information about the gambling industry in our blog.

FAQ: Preflop and Postflop Poker Hand Ranges