🎮 Interactive Practice Tool

Practice — Table Setup Range Tool

Assign player types to each seat on a 6-max table and see exploit hand ranges for your position in real time.

📍 Table Setup
6-Max Cash

💡 Click a seat to change Hero (you) position

Player Type Legend
🐟 Fish 📞 Calling Station 🦦 Nit 🎯 TAG ⚡ LAG 🔥 Maniac 📚 ABC Player 📉 Short Stacker
🎯 Hero Position
Hero: BTN Set up the table configuration
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Range will appear once the table is configured
Stakes advice will appear after table setup.
Stakes advice will appear after table setup.
Stakes advice will appear after table setup.
📖 Strategy Guide

Player Type Postflop Strategy

Learn each player type's weaknesses and how to extract maximum value on the flop, turn, and river.

C-bet Frequency
75–85%
Bet almost always. Fish have low fold equity—value betting is the priority strategy.
Bluff Frequency
Low (<20%)
Fish tend to call bluffs. Keep pure bluffs to a minimum—value is where the money is.
Value Sizing
75–100% pot
Fish call large bets regardless. Bet big to maximize value on every street.
Bluff-catching vs Fish
Fold more
When a fish raises, it's almost always the nuts or near-nuts. Lean toward folding marginal hands.
Core exploit strategy: Fish's biggest weakness is over-calling. Use it ruthlessly.
  • If you have a pair or better, always bet big. Slow-playing and check-raises rarely add value.
  • When draws complete, fire a large river bet to extract the last dollar.
  • When a fish bets into you, slow down—they almost always have strong holdings.
  • In multiway pots, tighten your betting range. Focus on pot control with marginal hands.
Flop strategy:
  • Top pair or better: C-bet 65–80% pot. No need for check-raises.
  • Middle/bottom pair: ~50% pot bet. Evaluate on the turn if called.
  • Draws (flush/straight): Semi-bluff 50–65%. Bet big once the draw completes.
  • Air (bluff): Generally skip. Check and take a free card.
  • Broadway-heavy board: Fish love Broadway cards—proceed with caution.
Turn strategy:
  • Strong hands (2-pair+): Continue betting 70–90% pot. Fish won't fold on the turn.
  • Top pair: Adjust by turn card. On draw-heavy boards, continue aggressively.
  • Completed draws: Nut flush/straight → bet big. Fish will call.
  • Check back: Weak one-pair hands → check the turn and aim for a cheap showdown.
  • Turn raise from fish: Warning sign—usually 2-pair or better.
River strategy:
  • Nuts/near-nuts: Overbet 80–120% pot. Fish won't fold.
  • Top pair: 50–65% value bet. Thin value is worth taking.
  • Bluff-catching (call decisions): Fish's river bets are almost always value. Fold marginal hands.
  • Bluffing: Nearly useless against fish. Don't bluff.
  • River raise from fish: Almost always the nuts—call with the best hands only.
C-bet Frequency
70–80%
Calling stations rarely fold, so c-bet with value hands only. Bluffs are essentially worthless.
Bluff Frequency
~0%
Bluffing a calling station is burning money. Pure value betting only.
Value Sizing
Large (75–100%)
They'll call regardless. Use large sizes to maximize value every time.
Range Advantage
Always leverage
Use position and range advantage to accumulate thin value repeatedly.
Core exploit:
  • Widen your value range. Bet thin value hands you'd normally check.
  • Eliminate bluff lines entirely. Only semi-bluffs (hands that improve to strong hands) are acceptable.
  • Skip check-raises and slow-plays. Simply bet and call.
  • If a calling station raises the river, fold unless you have the nuts.
Flop: C-bet any pair or better. Use 60–75% sizing. Continue draws as semi-bluffs. Check air. When a calling station raises, call only with strong holdings.
Turn: Continue with one pair or better. No bluffs needed. On draw-heavy boards, keep up the pressure with turn bets. If a calling station leads the turn, suspect a strong hand.
River: Value bet top pair or better. Even second pair can be worth a thin bet. Use overbet sizing (120–150% pot) on the nuts. A calling station's river raise is the absolute nuts—consider folding.
C-bet Frequency
High (80–90%)
Nits fold easily. C-bet frequently with both value and bluffs.
Bluff Frequency
Aggressive (40–50%)
Bluffing nits is highly effective, especially on dry or high-card boards.
Value Sizing
Small–medium (40–60%)
Large bets will fold nits out. Use smaller sizes to induce calls.
When a Nit Raises
Fold immediately
Nit raises = near-nuts. Fold unless you have an extremely strong hand.
Core exploit: Exploit their tightness to the fullest.
  • On dry boards (e.g. K72 rainbow), c-bet almost every hand. Nits will fold.
  • Triple-barrel bluffs are effective. Nits won't call down with marginal hands.
  • For value, use smaller sizes to keep nits in the pot longer.
  • Downshift immediately when a nit shows aggression—it's almost always the nuts.
Flop: C-bet almost all hands (33–50% small c-bet). Nits fold easily below top pair. Continue flush/straight draws as semi-bluffs.
Turn: Be cautious if a nit called the flop. A nit continuing means a strong draw or at least one pair. Limit second barrels to strong hands and semi-bluffs. Nit turn raise → fold immediately.
River: If a nit reaches the river, their hand is very strong. Large river value bets are safe. River bluffing nits requires a fully consistent 3-street bluff line to be credible.
C-bet Frequency
Balanced (50–65%)
TAGs use check-raises. Don't auto-c-bet every hand—be selective and board-aware.
Bluff Frequency
Moderate (30–40%)
TAGs fold sometimes but also hold bluff-catchers. Balance is key.
Value Sizing
Standard (50–75%)
TAGs don't over-call. Standard sizing builds the pot without over-pricing them out.
Difficulty
High
Playing against TAGs is the most challenging. Position and range advantage are critical.
Core exploit: Leverage position and range advantage.
  • IP: c-bet aggressively. OOP: c-bet only when you have a range advantage on the board.
  • Against TAGs, bluff consistency matters—your line must be coherent across all three streets.
  • Don't just fold when a TAG raises. Think through their range and make an informed decision.
Flop: IP → c-bet value + semi-bluffs (50–65% pot). OOP → c-bet only when you have a range advantage. Watch for check-raises and size accordingly.
Turn: TAGs on the turn usually have strong hands or ongoing draws. Limit second barrels to strong hands and semi-bluffs. A TAG check-calling the turn may be floating—proceed with caution.
River: The hardest spot against a TAG. Calculate pot odds carefully. TAGs bluff infrequently but not never. Call only when pot odds justify it.
C-bet Frequency
Selective (40–55%)
LAGs float and raise c-bets. Limit c-bets to value hands for safety.
Bluff-catching
Be aggressive
LAGs bluff frequently. Calling with middle pairs and bluff-catchers has positive EV.
Check-raise Usage
Effective
Check-raising LAG c-bets is powerful. LAGs tend to call check-raises rather than fold.
3-bet Frequency
Increase it
Widen your 3-bet range against LAG's wide opens. They sometimes fold, making it profitable.
Core exploit: Call down bluffs and counter-punch with value.
  • Float and check-raise LAG c-bets aggressively.
  • Middle pairs are often worth calling down—LAGs carry a lot of bluffs.
  • Slow-play strong hands (check-raise) to build pots against their aggression.
  • If you bluff LAGs, you need a fully consistent line—they're loose callers.
Flop: Float calls and check-raises are your best tools against LAG c-bets. If you're the c-bettor, use larger sizes (65–75%) anticipating their floats and raises.
Turn: If LAG keeps applying pressure, call down with bluff-catchers. If you're barreling, skip bluffs and continue with value only since LAG called the flop.
River: Calculate pot odds accurately for LAG river bets. LAGs often have an imbalanced bluff/value ratio—when bluffs dominate, call aggressively. Your value hands should bet large since LAGs call.
C-bet Frequency
Low (30–45%)
Maniacs raise almost every c-bet. C-bet selectively with value only.
Value Strategy
Trap-focused
Check strong hands to induce maniac bluffs. Check-raise to stack off.
Bluff-catching
Aggressive
Maniacs bluff at an extreme rate. Even weak hands warrant calls.
Stack Risk
High
Maniacs frequently shove. Don't over-commit without a strong hand.
Core exploit: Trap with strong hands, call down bluffs.
  • Strong hands (2-pair+): check-call or check-raise to collect maniac's bluff money.
  • Middle pairs can be worth calling down given their high bluff frequency.
  • Don't panic when they raise. Use pot odds and hand strength for calm decisions.
  • Exploit line: check-call to build the pot, then raise at the end.
Flop: Check-first is the priority for value hands. Raise maniac c-bets (raising > calling). Air c-bets are useless—maniacs just re-raise.
Turn: If the maniac fires again, raise with strong hands and push toward all-in. Bluff-catchers warrant a call. Maniacs almost never fold the turn.
River: Always raise/call with the nuts. Maniac river bluffs are extremely common. Middle pairs often warrant a river call.
Difficulty
Maximum
Sharks are well-balanced and hard to exploit. Avoid them or respond with GTO play.
Recommended Strategy
GTO-leaning
Pure exploitative strategies don't work well. Use a balanced, GTO approach.
C-bet Frequency
Balanced (50–60%)
Maintain a balanced c-bet strategy. Keep bluff-to-value ratios even.
Best Move
Table select
Long-term profitability comes from avoiding sharks and targeting weaker players.
Core approach: GTO over exploitation.
  • Sharks know every exploit pattern. Focus on being unexploitable yourself.
  • Maintain a balanced c-bet/bluff/value ratio across all spots.
  • Table selection is the #1 skill—avoid sharks and find softer games.
  • Use shark games as a learning opportunity. Review hands afterward for improvements.
Flop: Against sharks, c-bet based on range advantage. Mix in unconventional sizings (overbets, small c-bets) to make your line harder to read.
Turn: The hardest street against a shark. Second barrels should be value and semi-bluffs only. Sharks float and bluff-catch actively—choose lines that are hard to read.
River: River bluffing sharks is the toughest decision. Limit bluffs to high-equity spots only. Value bets should always be large.
📍 Position Strategy

Position-Based Action Strategy

Understand preflop and postflop strategy for each seat. Position is your greatest weapon in poker.

UTG
Open range: ~13–16%
Always OOP Early action
HJ (Hijack)
Open range: ~18–22%
Often OOP Middle position
CO (Cutoff)
Open range: ~26–30%
IP vs non-BTN Wide range
BTN (Button)
Open range: ~42–50%
Always IP Best position
SB (Small Blind)
Open range: ~35–45%
Always OOP Blind
BB (Big Blind)
Defense range: situational
Always OOP Blind Closing action
UTG — Under the Gun
Preflop Open
Earliest action. Open only premium hands: AA–77, AKs–ATs, KQs–KJs, QJs, JTs. Range ~13–16%.
vs 3-bet
4-bet QQ+/AKs only. JJ/TT/AQs: call or fold depending on the 3-bettor. KQs and below mostly fold.
Postflop (OOP)
UTG is always OOP postflop. Limit c-bets with weak hands. Use check-raises frequently to compensate for positional disadvantage.
vs Fish/Nit
Slightly widen range vs fish at the table (add A9s, KTs etc.). Tighten further if there's a nit behind you.
HJ — Hijack
Preflop Open
Slightly wider than UTG: 18–22%. Add 66+, A9s+, KTs+, QTs+, JTs, T9s, AJo+, KQo.
3-bet / Call Decision
vs BTN/CO/SB 3-bets: 4-bet TT+/AQs+, call JJ–88/AJs–ATs/KQs. Widen calling range vs BTN.
Postflop
BTN has position on you frequently. C-bet ~60% balanced. Use check-call lines actively for pot control.
vs BTN (IP)
Be mindful of being OOP vs BTN. Slow-play strong hands effectively. Check-raise BTN's c-bets as a key tool.
CO — Cutoff
Preflop Open
26–30% range. Add A7s+, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T8s+, 97s+, 87s, A9o+, KJo+, QJo.
vs BTN 3-bet
Watch for BTN 3-bets. 4-bet AQs/KQs/TT+. AJs/JJ can call or fold depending on dynamics.
Squeeze Response
Against BTN/BB squeezes, defend only premium hands. KQo and JJ may fold in some spots.
Postflop (IP)
IP vs everyone except BTN. Aggressive c-bets (65–70%) and turn barrels apply pressure. OOP vs BTN—be careful.
BTN — Button (Best Seat)
Preflop Open
Wide 42–50% range. Add A2s+, K7s+, Q7s+, J8s+, T7s+, 96s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, A2o+, K9o+, QTo+, JTo+.
3-bet Strategy
Use position advantage for balanced 3-bets: value (QQ+/AKs) + bluffs (K5s/A5s). Mix linear and polar ranges.
Postflop (Always IP)
Always IP—c-bet 65–75% frequently. Mix check-backs for pot control. Accumulate value on turn and river.
BTN vs BB
Most common battle in poker. Use small c-bets (33–40%) to bet wide. Fight strong BB check-raises only with strong hands.
SB — Small Blind
Open Range
35–45% wide range. But remember BB has position on you postflop—range quality still matters.
Counteracting OOP
Always OOP postflop. Limit triple-barrel bluffs. Maximize value check-raises to offset positional disadvantage.
vs BTN Steal
Counter BTN steals with 3-bets. SB 3-bets should use a linear (value-heavy) range for simplicity.
SB vs BB
Complex dynamic. OOP c-bets: use 50–60% sizing and restrict to strong hands. BB defends wide.
BB — Big Blind
Defense Range
BB already paid—defend wide. Use MDF (Minimum Defense Frequency) as a guide. Adjust based on opener's range and sizing.
3-bet Frequency
BB 3-bets are profitable even vs UTG opens. Value: AQ+/TT+ + bluffs: A5s/A4s/K5s (blocker-heavy suited connectors).
Postflop (OOP)
Always OOP—maximize check-raises. Fewer c-bets on dry boards. Aggressive check-raises on wet boards.
Donk Betting
BB donk bets (leading before c-bet) compensate for OOP disadvantage. Use small donks with the nuts or as information-gathering bluffs.
⚡ Situations

Situation-Specific Strategy Guide

Master these special scenarios to gain an edge. Understanding them in advance is what separates winning players from the rest.

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Multiway Pots
Three or more players in the pot.
  • Lower c-bet frequency (33–50%). Multiple opponents dramatically reduce bluff success.
  • Nut-oriented: In multiway pots, only bet for value with the nuts or near-nuts.
  • Draws require caution: While the payoff is high when complete, opponents are also more likely to have strong holdings.
  • Position is paramount: IP players have a massive edge. OOP → prioritize pot control.
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Stack Size Adjustments
Short stack (20–40BB):
  • Use push/fold charts for preflop all-in decisions.
  • Speculative hands (small pairs, suited connectors) lose much of their value.
Deep stack (150BB+):
  • Speculative hands increase in value—implied odds are huge.
  • Post-flop skill becomes critical. Complex 3-street strategies are needed.
⚔️
Blind Battle (SB vs BB)
The most frequent heads-up scenario in poker.
  • SB opens: Wide range (35–45%). BB already invested BB so defends frequently.
  • BB defense: Respect MDF—defend wide with calls and 3-bets. Smaller sizings allow wider defense.
  • Flop: SB c-bets → BB fights back with check-raises. Check-raise is BB's primary weapon being OOP.
  • Donk bets: BB leading into SB is an effective information-gathering tool.
🎯
Squeeze Play
3-betting when there's an open raiser + caller(s).
  • Best spots: Loose caller (fish/LAG) + stealer-range opener.
  • Sizing: Larger than standard 3-bets (~10–14BB). The caller inflates the pot.
  • Range: Value (QQ+/AKs) + blockers as bluffs (A5s/K5s).
  • Avoid: Multiple callers or tight (nit/TAG) openers—squeeze value drops significantly.
🐾
Responding to Donk Bets
When your opponent (OOP) leads into you instead of checking.
  • Fish donk: Almost always value (top pair+). Raise only with strong hands; call or fold otherwise.
  • TAG donk: Could be pot control or a bluff. Factor in board and hand strength for raise/call decisions.
  • Raising: A raise signals strength—size according to what you'd expect their donk range to be.
  • Calling: Floating with marginal hands to take the pot on the turn is also a valid option.
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IP vs OOP — Core Differences
The fundamental strategic difference position makes.
  • IP (in position): Higher c-bet frequency, check-back for pot control, float-to-turn steals, maximize value.
  • OOP (out of position): Leverage check-raises, use donk bets, fight with range strength, lower bluff frequency.
  • Essential OOP skills: Balanced check-call lines (to prevent floating), pot control, check-raise with strong hands.
🧠 Quiz

Scenario-Based Decision Quiz

Sharpen your decision-making with 35+ real poker scenarios. Preflop, postflop, player types, and tournament categories with detailed explanations and per-category accuracy tracking.

Go to Quiz Page →