Cash Game Preflop Range Guide

Position Scenario Explanation

Deep-stacked cash games (effective stack usually over 200BB) differ significantly from standard 100BB stack depths. Due to higher implied odds and greater potential losses, preflop ranges need to focus more on playability and resilience. Typical positions include:

• UTG: Tightest, need to avoid getting into difficult deep-stack situations after a re-raise.
• MP: Can be slightly wider, but still need to consider 3bets from later positions.
• CO (Cutoff): Take advantage of stealing opportunities, but watch out for squeezes from the blinds in deep stacks.
• BTN (Button): Most advantageous position, can have the widest range.
• SB (Small Blind): Disadvantageous position, need to defend tightly or counter-attack.
• BB (Big Blind): Widest defending range, but needs to be structured to avoid exploitation.

Recommended Ranges (Text Descriptions of Hand Types)

UTG (6-max, 200BB+)

• Raise Range: About 12-14% of hands. Includes all pairs (22+), all suited connectors (A2s+, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T8s+, 98s-65s), and some offsuit broadways (AQo+, AKo).
• Avoid: Marginal offsuit hands (e.g., KJo, QTo) and weak suited connectors (below 54s), as they are easily dominated and hard to realize equity in deep stacks.

MP (6-max, 200BB+)

• Raise Range: About 18-22%. Add to UTG range: all suited Ax (A2s-A5s), more suited connectors (T7s+, 97s+, 86s+), and some offsuit connectors (KQo, AJo+).
• Avoid: Hands like KTo, QJo that are easily reverse-dominated.

CO (6-max, 200BB+)

• Raise Range: About 25-30%. Includes all pairs, all suited aces, suited Kx (K2s+), suited Qx (Q8s+), suited Jx (J8s+), and all offsuit aces (A2o+ should be cautious, usually only raise A9o+), offsuit K (KTo+), QJo+, and a large number of suited connectors (54s+, T8s+).
• Note: Due to deep stacks, some speculative hands like 54s can be added, but pay attention to the 3bet frequency from later positions.

BTN (6-max, 200BB+)

• Raise Range: About 40-50%. Includes almost all pairs (22+), all suited hands (A2s+, K2s+, Q2s+, J2s+, T2s+, 92s+, 82s+, 72s+, 62s+, 52s+, 42s+, 32s+), and all offsuit aces (A2o+), K5o+, Q7o+, J8o+, T9o+, 98o+.
• Strategy: Use positional advantage to open frequently, but in deep stacks reduce low-frequency raises with weak hands to avoid difficult spots after a 3bet.

SB (6-max, 200BB+)

• Raise Range: About 15-18%. Usually a linear range: all pairs, suited connectors (T9s+, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s), suited Ax, offsuit broadways (AQo+, AKo, KQo).
• Defense Strategy: Against CO or BTN opens, usually 3bet or fold, rarely flat-call (due to positional disadvantage).

BB (6-max, 200BB+)

• Defense Range (vs open): About 30-40%. Includes all pairs, all suited aces, suited connectors (T8s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 64s+, 54s+), and some offsuit broadways (ATo+, KJo+, QJo).
• 3bet Range: Polarized, with top hands (QQ+, AK) and some bluffs (A5s, K9s, etc.).

Range Construction Logic

In deep stacks, preflop ranges need to balance the following factors:

• Playability: Prioritize hands that have potential to become strong draws or nut hands (suited connectors, suited aces) over marginal broadways.
• Resilience: Avoid being dominated (e.g., KJo easily dominated by AK/AQ).
• Implied Odds: For small pairs and suited connectors, deep stacks provide huge potential profit, allowing slight widening.
• Position: Later positions (BTN/CO) can be more aggressive, early positions (UTG/MP) need to be tighter.

Adjustment Factors

• Opponent Tendencies: If opponents 3bet frequently, tighten the opening range and increase 4bet; if opponents are too passive, expand the stealing range.
• Stack Depth: At 300BB+, suited connectors and small/medium pairs are more valuable, can be further widened; at 100-150BB, ranges are close to standard strategy.
• Table Type: When multiway pots are more common, adopt a tighter range; heads-up or short-handed can be wider.

GTO Reference

According to the balanced model, deep-stacked GTO suggests:

• Early Position: raise frequency around 12-15%, using a linear range (avoid mixed 3-bets).
• Late Position: raise frequency can reach 40% or more, but must mix in some limps (especially BTN vs SB).
• 3-bet: Polarized, size about 3-4x the open, to deter profitable calls from opponents.
• Response to 4-bet: Do not over-defend in deep stacks; only continue with strong hands ( QQ+, AK).

In practice, you can deviate from GTO to exploit opponents, e.g., if an opponent folds too often, increase your steal range.

Practical Application

1. UTG holds 77: Standard raise, hoping to hit a set on the flop for a big pot. Avoid limping or folding.
2. CO holds A6s: Effective stack 250BB, opponent in BB is tight-passive: raise to 2.5BB, leveraging position and potential flush value.
3. BTN holds K9o: SB opponent 3-bets tight, fold; if SB is loose, raise to 2.2BB to attempt a steal.
4. SB facing CO open: Holding T9s, 3-bet to 10BB, mixing value and bluffs.

Summary: The core of deep-stacked cash game preflop strategy is to expand your playable hand range while avoiding being dominated. By adjusting to position and exploiting opponents, you can achieve steady profits.