Poker Preflop Charts

If you’re new to the world of poker and still getting the hang of it, you’ve probably heard about preflop poker charts. However, you might be wondering why they’re important and how they can actually improve your game. In this article, we’ll delve into the significance of these charts, explain how they can significantly enhance your poker skills, and introduce you to the remarkable “GTO” poker charts. We use the abbreviation GTO for Game Theory Optimal, which is an umbrella term used by players for describing the holy grail of no-limit hold’em playing strategy.

When you play a game of poker, every hand presents you with the same crucial decision: Should I play this hand or fold? At its core, preflop poker charts provide you with the answer to this question. In fact, they serve as the foundation for your entire gameplay strategy.

Over the years, as poker instruction has evolved, various methods have been employed to convey this vital information. In more recent times, a consensus has been reached regarding the most effective way to present which hands should be played pre-flop. This approach can also be extended to post-flop play. Nowadays, almost all poker training resources depict poker ranges on a 13×13 matrix or grid. This visual representation is also widely adopted by various poker tools and software packages. Let’s explore a simplified example.

Using Preflop Charts The Right Way!

If you’re new to poker, you may struggle with knowing which hands to play and which not. But fear not, preflop poker charts are here to make your life easier! These charts can be accessed anytime and anywhere.

However, before you go crazy with these charts, it’s important to know how to use them effectively. While it may be tempting to consult these charts in real-time to make decisions like raising or folding, we caution against them for a few reasons.

For starters, using these charts in a live card room is not allowed and will get you kicked out. And while it may be allowed on some online poker sites, it’s not always the best idea. Most online players play multiple tables at once, so constantly consulting a chart will slow down the game and could lead to timing out.

Additionally, it’s important to remember that these charts are just a baseline. As time passes, with practice, you will become a more experienced player and start making situational deviations from the baseline to exploit your opponents. Plus, poker is not just a preflop game – your preflop ranges should work hand-in-hand with a well-constructed post-flop strategy.

So, while preflop poker charts can be incredibly helpful for beginners, they should be used as a tool to build your knowledge and understanding of the game. As you develop your skills and gain more experience, you’ll start to make more advanced plays that go beyond what’s shown on a chart.

Memorizing the Poker Preflop Charts

Memorizing preflop poker charts may seem like a daunting task, but there are a few approaches you can take to make the process more practical and enjoyable.

If you happen to have an exceptional memory, then attempting to memorize the charts outright can be a viable option for you. However, for most of us, a more practical approach is to combine some memorization with using the charts during your post-session review.

By incorporating the charts into your post-session review, you will not only be able to develop good study habits but also allow yourself to naturally absorb the ranges in an organic way. This process encourages active learning and it also helps solidify your understanding of the preflop ranges.

During your review, take the time to analyze the decisions you made during the session and compare them to the recommended ranges on the charts. Reflect on why certain hands are played a certain way in different positions and stack depths. By actively engaging with the charts in this manner, you reinforce your knowledge and improve your decision-making skills.

Always remember that developing a strong foundation in preflop play is crucial, but it is equally important that you understand that poker is a dynamic game that extends beyond preflop. As you progress and gain experience, you’ll be able to make adjustments & deviations based on the specific game context and the tendencies of your opponents.

GTO Poker Charts

Ever wondered where these poker charts come from? Who determines which hands should be raised pre-flop and which should be tossed aside?

In the past, the answer to these questions relied heavily on trial and error. Experienced players had a general sense of which hands were profitable, but different authors often had varying recommendations. It was a realm of subjectivity.

However, in the last decade, everything changed dramatically with the advent of poker solvers. GTO solutions for poker encompass the ranges outlined in preflop poker charts. While discussing the intricacies of these solvers is beyond the scope of this article, I highly recommend delving into the book “GTO Poker Gems” for an excellent treatment of the subject.

The crucial point to grasp is that there now exists a solution for the game of poker. This means we have an indisputable source for “correct” preflop ranges. It’s a monumental shift. And one remarkable aspect of these ranges is that they often involve mixed actions for the same hand.

In simpler terms, the GTO preflop ranges acknowledge that certain hands should be played with a combination of different actions, rather than a fixed approach. This recognition of complexity adds a new layer of strategic depth to the game.

By embracing GTO principles and incorporating these ranges into your play, you’re tapping into a well-researched and mathematically sound approach to poker. It’s an exciting development that has transformed the way we analyze and understand the game.

So, the next time you consult a preflop poker chart, remember that it originates from a revolutionary shift in poker theory. It’s a testament to the evolution of the game and provides us with valuable insights into optimal play.

6 Max Poker

In a nutshell, 6-max is an exciting poker format that sets a maximum limit of 6 players (6-max) at the table, as opposed to the traditional ‘full-ring’ games that accommodate up to 9 players. By reducing the number of players, 6-max introduces a fresh dynamic and redefines the positions we play from.

In 6-max, the traditional tight positions such as UTG (Under the Gun), UTG+1, and UTG+2 no longer exist. Instead, we have a new lineup of positions namely — Lowjack (LJ), Hijack (HJ), Cut-Off (CO), Button (BTN), Small Blind (SB), and Big Blind (BB). This change alone spices up the game, creating a more dynamic and fast-paced environment.

With three fewer players in the mix, 6-max poker tends to be more action-packed compared to full-ring games. The consequence? Larger average pot sizes, a higher percentage of players actively involved in seeing flops, and an increased number of hands played per hour. These factors make 6-max an appealing choice for both seasoned professionals and recreational players alike. After all, who wants to spend excessive time folding when you could be actively participating in thrilling hands?

While 6-max tournaments do exist, the format is primarily associated with cash games.