Preflop Strategy Charts: What to Play from Every Position

Why Preflop Matters Most

Every hand starts preflop. If you enter the pot with the wrong hands, you're starting every street behind. Conversely, a solid preflop strategy means you're almost always in a profitable spot post-flop.

6-Max Opening Ranges (100bb deep, no reads)

UTG (Under the Gun) — Open ~15% of hands

AA-77, AKo-AJo, AKs-ATs, KQs-KJs, QJs, JTs

Play tight here. 3 players behind you plus the blinds.

HJ (Hijack) — Open ~20% of hands

Add: 66-55, ATo, KQo, KTs, QTs, J9s, T9s, 98s, 87s

CO (Cutoff) — Open ~27% of hands

Add: 44-22, A9o-A7o, KJo, A6s-A2s, K9s, Q9s, J8s, T8s, 97s, 86s, 76s, 65s

BTN (Button) — Open ~40% of hands

Add: A6o-A2o, K9o-K7o, QJo-Q9o, JTo-J9o, T9o, 98o, all remaining suited connectors

You have position on everyone post-flop. Open wide and profit.

SB (Small Blind) — Open ~35% of hands

Raise or fold — never limp. You're out of position against the BB, so open strong. Against tight BBs, open wider. Against loose BBs, tighten up.

BB (Big Blind) — Defend ~40-50% vs a single raise

You're getting a discount and closing the action. Defend wide but be prepared to play out of position. 3-bet your premiums aggressively.

3-Betting Ranges

• For value: AA-QQ, AK
• As bluffs (in position): A5s-A2s, small suited connectors
• Total 3-bet range: ~8-12% of hands

Adjustments

• At loose/passive tables: tighten your opening ranges, widen your value 3-bets
• At tight/aggressive tables: widen your opening ranges, add bluff 3-bets
• Short-handed (3-4 players): open much wider from all positions
• Deep-stacked (200bb+): suited connectors and small pairs gain value

After mastering preflop ranges, use our Poker Odds Calculator to study common matchups and learn how your hands perform in different situations.