Poker Open Ranges: The Complete Position-by-Position Chart
Preflop open ranges are the foundation of every winning player. Before thinking c-bet or river bluff, you need to know which hands to open from each position. A preflop range error = dozens of unmanageable postflop spots later.
This guide covers standard 6-max cash open ranges (NL25 to NL500), sizing adjustments, and modifications by context (vs fish, vs regs, in MTT).
Why open ranges determine everything
A good open range gives you:
1. Structural postflop edge. If you open the right hands, your range statistically beats the caller's average on most flops.
2. Maximum fold equity. Range too wide = too many weak hands → you c-bet and lose. Range too tight = too transparent → villain 3-bet bluffs at will.
3. Strategic coherence. Open ranges define your 3-bet ranges, BB defense ranges, squeeze ranges. Everything connects.
→ If you're starting, first read our how to build poker ranges guide.
The 6 poker positions in 6-max
| Position | Code | Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Under the Gun | UTG | First to act |
| Hijack | HJ (or MP) | Second |
| Cutoff | CO | Third |
| Button | BTN | Fourth (in position) |
| Small Blind | SB | Fifth |
| Big Blind | BB | Sixth (postflop first) |
The later your position (closer to BTN), the wider your open range can be.
Global table: 6-max NL standard open ranges
| Position | % of hands | Standard sizing |
|---|---|---|
| UTG | 12-15% | 2.5bb |
| HJ/MP | 16-19% | 2.5bb |
| CO | 24-28% | 2.5bb |
| BTN | 42-50% | 2.2-2.5bb |
| SB | 30-40% | 3bb (raise only) |
UTG range: ~13%
UTG is the toughest position: 5 players behind who can 3-bet, and you'll be OOP postflop vs 80% of callers.
Hands to open UTG
Pairs: 22-AA (all pairs)
Suited Aces: A2s-AKs (all Ax suited)
Suited Broadways: KQs, KJs, KTs, QJs, QTs, JTs, T9s
Suited connectors: 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s
Offsuit: AKo, AQo, AJo, KQo
Total: ~13% of all hands
Hands NOT to open UTG
- Small offsuit pairs (already included if pair)
- A9o-A2o (weak offsuit)
- K9o-K2o
- Suited gappers (T7s, 96s)
- Weak connectors (54s, 43s)
HJ/MP range: ~17%
Additions vs UTG
Suited Aces: all included already
Suited Broadways: add T8s, J8s
Suited connectors: add 54s
Offsuit: add ATo, KJo
Total: ~17%
CO range: ~26%
This is where range opens significantly. CO is in position vs BTN and IP postflop vs blinds.
Additions vs HJ
Offsuit: add A9o, KTo, QJo
Suited: add K9s, Q9s, J9s, T8s, 97s, 86s
Suited connectors: add 43s
Total: ~26%
BTN range: ~45%
BTN is the queen position. Absolute postflop position, only SB and BB can follow you, and their defense range is limited by their positional disadvantage.
Complete BTN range
All pairs (22-AA)
All suited Aces (A2s-AKs)
Almost all Kings: K2s-KQs, K9o-AKo
Almost all Queens: Q2s-QKs, QTo-QKo
All Jacks suited + JTo, JQo, JKo
All Tens suited + T9o, TJo, TQo
All reasonable suited connectors and gappers (54s to T9s, T8s to 86s)
Offsuit broadways: all
Total: ~45-50%
SB range: ~35% (raise only)
SB is unique: you'll be OOP vs BB postflop if calling. Most modern coaches recommend raise-or-fold from SB to avoid disadvantageous OOP pots.
SB sizing
3bb instead of 2.5bb to compensate positional disadvantage and fold BB more.
SB raise-only range
Similar to BTN but 10-15% tighter:
- All pairs
- All suited Aces
- Suited Broadways K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T8s+
- Suited connectors 65s+
- Offsuit broadways A9o+, KTo+, QJo
Total: ~33-38%
Range boundaries by position
To decide live, memorize upper and lower bounds of each range:
| Position | Most marginal hands (boundary) |
|---|---|
| UTG | 22, A2s, 65s, AJo |
| HJ | 22, A2s, 54s, ATo |
| CO | 22, A2s, 43s, A8o, K9s |
| BTN | 22, A2s, 32s, A2o, K2s, Q2s, J5s |
| SB | 22, A2s, 65s, KTo, ATo |
If a hand is more marginal than the "boundary", fold. If stronger, open.
Sizing: when 2.5bb vs 3bb
| Context | Recommended sizing |
|---|---|
| Cash 6-max NL10-NL100 | 2.5bb |
| Cash 6-max NL200+ (tight regs) | 2.2-2.5bb |
| Cash 9-max | 3bb (more players behind) |
| Cash live | 3-4bb (players call too much) |
| MTT 100bb+ | 2.2-2.5bb |
| MTT 30-50bb | 2-2.2bb |
| MTT <20bb | jam or fold |
| SB on open | 3bb (OOP compensation) |
Adjustments vs profiles
Vs fish (to your right)
If a fish calls very wide from BB or cold-calls opens from MP/CO:
- Widen your BTN and CO range by 5-10%
- Increase sizing to 3bb to extract more
- C-bet more postflop
Vs aggressive BB reg
If BB 3-bets 12%+ vs your BTN:
- Tighten BTN by 5% (remove worst hands like J5s, 53s)
- Add 4-bet bluffs to rebalance
- Widen call range vs 3-bet
→ See our 4-bet in poker guide for precise adjustments.
Vs maniac
Vs a player 3-betting 15%+ and going all-in too often:
- Tighten UTG/MP opens (you'll be 3-bet light)
- Widen your 4-bet value range
- Reduce open bluffs (marginal suited connectors)
Common open range mistakes
1. Open too wide UTG. "I have a suited connector!" No — UTG only allows premiums and top suited. UTG suited gappers lose 5+ BB/100.
2. Open too tight BTN. BTN should be 45%+. Opening 30% BTN leaves 8-10 BB/100 on the table.
3. Limping from open. In modern 6-max cash, open limp = automatic -EV. Open or fold.
4. Identical sizing vs different profiles. 2.5bb vs reg, 3bb vs fish. Adapt.
5. Frozen ranges without context. A GTO range serves as baseline. Adapt to observed profiles.
Open ranges in MTT vs cash
Deep cash (100bb+)
Standard ranges as described above. You have postflop room to play all hands without preflop jam risk.
Short stack MTT
With stacks <30bb, opens become less flexible:
- At 20-30bb: open only hands you're ready to 4-bet/jam if 3-bet
- At 15-20bb: even tighter range, higher 4-bet jam ratio
- <15bb: jam or fold only
ICM and payouts amplify these adjustments. See our ICM poker explained guide.
Key takeaways
- Later position = wider open range.
- UTG: 13%, HJ: 17%, CO: 26%, BTN: 45%, SB: 35% (raise only).
- Standard sizing: 2.5bb in 6-max cash (3bb from SB).
- Adapt vs fish (widen) and vs aggressive regs (tighten BTN).
- In short MTT, simplify to jam/fold under 15bb.
Build and save your open ranges in GrindLab's Range Manager. Visualize percentages, compare by position, and export to share with your coach. Try free during the beta →
The method in 5 steps
Memorize percentages by position
UTG 12-15%, MP 16-19%, CO 24-28%, BTN 42-50%, SB 30-40% (raise only). These percentages are baselines before adjustment.
Learn the boundary hands
A range is defined by its 'limits': do I open A9o UTG? K9o? 76s? Memorize these thresholds by position to never hesitate again.
Adapt sizing
Cash 6-max: 2.5bb standard, 2.2bb BTN if tight table, 3bb SB. MTT: 2.2bb everywhere to save. Live: 3bb minimum (they call too much).
Adjust to table profiles
Vs fish to your right: widen BTN and CO. Vs aggressive BB regs: tighten opens slightly (3-bet bluffs reduce your EV).
Save your ranges in GrindLab
Import or create your position ranges in GrindLab's Range Manager. Visualize, compare, and calibrate to your style.