Hold’em hand ranges
Explore 169 starting hands to see which cards to play from each position.
Opening ranges by position
An opening range for eight-player tournaments when all players before you have folded. Choose the effective stack and position to inspect the frequencies.
Strategy by position
Based on a six-player table
With five players behind you, play strong hands only. Pairs 77+, AJ+ and suited KQ are a starting point.
Widen slightly from UTG, adding small pocket pairs and suited connectors such as JTs and T9s.
Only three players remain behind. Add all suited aces, suited connectors and offsuit face cards.
You always act last after the flop. With only the blinds to beat, open the widest range.
Only the BB remains, but acting first after the flop puts you at a disadvantage. Play a range similar to, or slightly narrower than, the button.
Because you have already posted chips, you can defend against raises by calling a wider range.
Adjust to the situation
Facing a raise
Play much tighter than the chart. Re-raise (3-bet) QQ+ and AK, and consider calling medium pairs or AQ.
Short stack in a tournament
At 15 big blinds or less, going all-in can be more effective than raising. Waiting while blinds reduce your stack can be riskier.
Near the money (bubble)
Pressure opponents with a big stack and avoid unnecessary risks with a medium stack. This matters especially in R1 satellites where all qualifiers receive the same prize.
Heads-up (two players)
Hand values rise significantly with only two players. On the button (SB), you can raise most hands.
Reading the chart
- Pocket pairs · The diagonal contains two cards of the same rank, such as AA or 77.
- Suited · s · Above the diagonal are cards of the same suit, such as AKs.
- Offsuit · o · Below the diagonal are cards of different suits, such as AKo.
- T = 10 · The letter T represents a ten.
This is a starting point, not an absolute answer. Adjust for opponents, stack sizes and the tournament stage.
Hold’em hand ranges
Explore 169 starting hands to see which cards to play from each position.
Opening ranges by position
An opening range for eight-player tournaments when all players before you have folded. Choose the effective stack and position to inspect the frequencies.
Strategy by position
Based on a six-player table
With five players behind you, play strong hands only. Pairs 77+, AJ+ and suited KQ are a starting point.
Widen slightly from UTG, adding small pocket pairs and suited connectors such as JTs and T9s.
Only three players remain behind. Add all suited aces, suited connectors and offsuit face cards.
You always act last after the flop. With only the blinds to beat, open the widest range.
Only the BB remains, but acting first after the flop puts you at a disadvantage. Play a range similar to, or slightly narrower than, the button.
Because you have already posted chips, you can defend against raises by calling a wider range.
Adjust to the situation
Facing a raise
Play much tighter than the chart. Re-raise (3-bet) QQ+ and AK, and consider calling medium pairs or AQ.
Short stack in a tournament
At 15 big blinds or less, going all-in can be more effective than raising. Waiting while blinds reduce your stack can be riskier.
Near the money (bubble)
Pressure opponents with a big stack and avoid unnecessary risks with a medium stack. This matters especially in R1 satellites where all qualifiers receive the same prize.
Heads-up (two players)
Hand values rise significantly with only two players. On the button (SB), you can raise most hands.
Reading the chart
- Pocket pairs · The diagonal contains two cards of the same rank, such as AA or 77.
- Suited · s · Above the diagonal are cards of the same suit, such as AKs.
- Offsuit · o · Below the diagonal are cards of different suits, such as AKo.
- T = 10 · The letter T represents a ten.
This is a starting point, not an absolute answer. Adjust for opponents, stack sizes and the tournament stage.
