← sample lessons / preflop
Preflop strategy
Most of the winnings (and most of the leaks) arise before the flop. Hand selection + position together are the cheapest edge you can grab.
If you only fix one thing about your game, fix your preflop ranges. No other adjustment earns you so much for so little effort.
Why preflop steers everything
Every postflop decision starts with the hands you see the flop with. Play too many weak offsuit hands and you structurally land in dominated situations: you hit top pair with a bad kicker, or your flush draw comes in while someone holds the higher flush. Good preflop discipline prevents those problems before they arise.
Two principles carry everything:
- Position, the later you act, the wider you can open. Fewer players behind you who can 3-bet you.
- Playability, suited and connected hands realise their equity better than loose offsuit cards. Suited > offsuit, connected > gapped.
Opening ranges per position
Rough guideline for 6-9-handed cash (raise-first-in). Percentages are approximate; the pattern, tighter early, wider late, is what counts.
| Position | Open % | Example range |
|---|---|---|
| UTG / EP | ~13-15% | 77+, A4s+, K9s+, QTs+, JTs, T9s, ATo+, KQoTight. Many players behind you = a high chance of getting 3-bet. |
| MP / HJ | ~18-20% | 55+, A2s+, K8s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T9s, 98s, 87s, ATo+, KJo+, QJoSlightly wider; still value-oriented. |
| CO | ~26-28% | 33+, A2s+, K3s+, Q6s+, J8s+, T7s+, 97s+, 87s, 76s, A8o+, KTo+, QTo+, JToWide; you steal blinds + play postflop with position. |
| BTN | ~42-44% | 33+, A2s+, K2s+, Q3s+, J4s+, T6s+, 96s+, 85s+, 75s+, 64s+, 53s+, A4o+, K8o+, Q9o+, J9o+, T8o+, 98oWidest. Position + fold equity = print. |
| SB | ~Raise or fold | Raise a strong range (no limping), or foldOOP postflop; limping punishes yourself. Raise-first-in or fold. |
3-bet basics
A 3-bet (a re-raise over an open) has two purposes: value (you want a bigger pot with a strong hand like QQ+, AK) or as a bluff with hands just too weak to call but with nice blockers/playability (e.g. A5s, KTs). That mix makes you unpredictable.
Rules of thumb: 3-bet bigger out of position (you do not want to play a big multiway pot OOP), and pick your bluff 3-bets from suited hands that block your opponent's strong holdings. Flat calling is often the weakest of the three options when you are OOP.
Common preflop leaks
Limping (open-limp)
You give away fold equity and build no pot with your strong hands. Raise-first-in or fold. Limping is almost never +EV at micro/low stakes.
The same range everywhere
You open AJo from the BTN but not from UTG. A fixed "favourite hand" range ignores position, the #1 preflop leak.
Overrating offsuit
KJo plays fundamentally worse than KJs: fewer flushes, fewer straights, worse equity realisation. Suited = playability.
Calling too much instead of 3-betting or folding
Cold-calling an open often creates an awkward multiway pot OOP. 3-bet (value or bluff) or fold is usually clearer.
In short
Open tight from early position, wide from late position. Suited over offsuit. Raise-first-in instead of limping. 3-bet or fold rather than calling passively OOP. Do this consistently and your preflop leak, often good for a hefty negative bb/100, largely disappears on its own.
test your knowledge
Take the 5 question quiz in the app
You have read the theory. The free Pokiq app turns it into a score: take the interactive quiz, get an explanation for every hand on the spot, and watch your Poker IQ grow. Create a free account and start straight away.
free · 13 lessons · daily quiz · poker iq