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Poker glossary

Range

What it means

A range represents all the possible hands a player could have in a specific situation. Unlike thinking “they have AK” or “they have a flush draw,” range-based thinking considers every holding your opponent might play this way. Ranges vary based on position, action, player type, and game dynamics.

How it works at the table

Say you raise to 2.5bb from middle position and the button 3-bets to 8bb. Their range might include premium hands (AA-JJ, AK), some suited connectors (87s-JTs), and occasional bluffs (A5s, K9s). Against a tight player, that range shrinks to perhaps AA-QQ and AK. Against an aggressive regular, it expands to include hands like 65s, KJo, and A2s.

On a flop of K♠ 7♦ 2♣, you can analyze how their entire range connects. Premium pairs like AA still beat your QQ, but their bluffs and smaller pairs now face a decision. This range-based analysis guides your choices better than guessing a single hand.

Strategic context

Modern poker revolves around range construction and manipulation. You build ranges that play well across different board textures, balancing value hands with bluffs. Strong players think in ranges constantly - both their own and their opponents’. This approach beats the old-school method of putting someone on one specific hand.

GTO poker relies entirely on range-based thinking. Software tools let players study optimal range construction for every spot. Live reads and population tendencies help narrow ranges beyond theoretical defaults.

Common mistakes

Players often assign ranges that are too narrow, thinking “they’d never 3-bet 76s here” when many opponents do exactly that. Another error is forgetting to update ranges as action progresses - that tight player who called your flop bet probably doesn’t have AK on a 9-high board anymore. Many players also construct their own ranges poorly, playing too many hands from early position or not enough from the button.

Understanding ranges requires grasping position since opening ranges change dramatically based on where you sit. Range analysis connects directly to equity calculations - you need to know how your hand performs against their entire range, not just their most likely holding. Balancing your own ranges prevents exploitation and forms the foundation of solid poker strategy.