Range analysis transforms poker from guessing games to logical deduction. Thinking in ranges rather than specific hands creates substantial edge against less sophisticated opponents.
Range Definition: A range is the set of all hands someone might hold in a situation. Preflop, ranges are wide. Each subsequent action (bet, check, raise, call) eliminates hands, narrowing possibilities.
Preflop Range Construction: Position determines opening ranges. Under the gun opens 12-15% of hands (22+, A9s+, KTs+, QJs, ATo+, KJo+). Button opens 45-55% of hands. These baseline ranges adjust for opponent tendencies.
Visualizing Ranges: Use charts or software to visualize ranges. Hands fitting criteria appear highlighted. This visualization helps estimate range composition and equity calculations.
Polarized vs. Linear Ranges: Polarized ranges contain very strong hands and bluffs, nothing medium. Linear ranges contain strong-through-medium hands. Betting patterns indicate range polarization.
Capping Ranges: When someone checks or makes passive plays, their range is "capped"—unlikely to contain premium holdings. Attack capped ranges aggressively since they rarely have strong hands.
Uncapped Ranges: Aggressive players' ranges are uncapped—they might hold anything, including the nuts. Proceed cautiously against uncapped ranges in large pots.
Flop Action Narrowing: Continuation bets eliminate hands that would check (weak draws, air). Calls eliminate hands that would fold or raise. Raises eliminate most marginal holdings. Consider what each action indicates.
Board Texture Impact: Ace-high flops favor preflop raisers' ranges. Low, connected flops favor callers' ranges. Adjust your aggression based on which range benefits from the board.
Turn Changes: Turn cards dramatically affect range composition. Completing flush draws, straight draws, or pairing boards changes which hands continue. Reassess ranges every street.
River Polarization: By the river, ranges are highly polarized—players typically have strong hands or bluffs, not medium holdings. River play requires identifying which polarized section opponent likely occupies.
Balancing Your Own Range: Construct balanced ranges so opponents can't exploit you. Check some strong hands, bet some weak hands, and avoid predictable patterns.
Exploitative Deviations: Against weak opponents, deviate from balanced strategies. If they fold too much, bluff more. If they call too much, value bet thinner and eliminate bluffs.
Blockers and Removal: Your cards block certain opponent holdings. Holding an ace of spades reduces flush possibilities on spade boards. Advanced players use blockers to inform bluffing and calling decisions.
Combinatorics: Count combinations of hands in ranges. Three aces on board mean opponents can hold only one combination of aces (only one ace remains). Combinatorics inform probability calculations.
Software Tools: Range analysis software like Flopzilla, Equilab, and PokerCruncher visualize ranges and calculate equities. These tools accelerate learning and confirm intuitions.
Practice Methods: Review hands after sessions, explicitly constructing opponent ranges at each decision point. Discuss hands with skilled players to compare range assessments.
Common Mistakes: Fixating on specific hands, ignoring early street actions, and failing to adjust ranges based on opponent tendencies. Range thinking is cumulative—incorporate all available information.
Responsible Gaming: Advanced range analysis improves decision-making but doesn't eliminate variance. Maintain proper bankroll management and realistic expectations regardless of your analytical sophistication.