Cash Game Preflop Range Construction Guide: Strategy Adjustments from 200BB to 500BB

Position Scenario Explanation

Deep-stacked cash games typically refer to effective stacks exceeding 200 big blinds (BB). As stack depth increases, post-flop maneuverability expands, and changes in pot odds and implied odds require corresponding adjustments to preflop ranges. The core principle is: In deep stacks, playability (playability index) is more critical than absolute hand strength. The value of high suited connectors and small-to-medium pairs rises, while the value of big pairs like AK/QQ relatively declines (because they are prone to getting stacked or facing difficult decisions post-flop).

Recommended Ranges (Text Description)

The following ranges are based on a typical 6-max deep stack (200-500BB), assuming opponents are regular reg, without adjustments for specific weaknesses.

Preflop Raise Ranges:

• UTG (Under the Gun): Approximately 12%-14% of hands. Includes all pairs (22+), all suited aces (A2s+), offsuit aces (AT+), suited connectors (T9s+, 54s+ considered but with lower frequency), as well as KQo and KJs+. Fold marginal hands like QJo and ATo that are difficult to play.
• HJ (Hijack): Approximately 18%-20%. Adds some suited connectors (86s+), offsuit aces (A9o+), and some KTo, QTo, and JTo (with reduced frequency).
• CO (Cutoff): Approximately 25%-28%. Includes all pairs, all suited aces (A2s+), offsuit aces (A5o+), all suited connectors (54s+, even 43s may be opened at low frequency), as well as KTo+, QTo+, JTo (at high frequency).
• BTN (Button): Approximately 35%-40%. Nearly any pair, any suited ace, offsuit aces (A2o+), all suited connectors (53s+), all offsuit connectors (T9o+), and K9o+, Q9o+, J9o+, T8o+. May even open with some suited gappers (K9s, Q9s) and small suited hands (J8s, 86s).
• SB (Small Blind): Approximately 30%-35%. Range similar to BTN but slightly tighter due to positional disadvantage post-flop. Avoid small pairs (22-66) against big blind squeezes; can fold or play at very low frequency.
• BB (Big Blind): Defending range is very wide, approximately 50%-70%, depending on opponent's raise size and frequency. Includes almost all pairs, all suited aces, most offsuit aces, all suited connectors (43s+), and some offsuit connectors (76o+) and suited gappers (K9s, Q9s, etc.). Key is to be cautious against 3-bets.

3-bet Ranges:

In deep stacks, 3-bet frequency is typically lower than at 100BB because with deep stacks, a 3-bet inflates the pot and can lead to tough post-flop situations in large pots.

• Linear 3-bet: Value hands (QQ+, AK) and a few bluffs (usually hands with blockers, like A5s, KQo, etc.). The worse the position, the tighter the 3-bet range.
• Range 3-bet: Against opponents with wide opening ranges, a wider 3-bet range can be used, including small-to-medium pairs (e.g., 88-) and suited connectors (JTs, T9s, etc.) for balance, but frequency must be controlled.
• Cold Call: In deep stacks, cold calling is more common than 3-betting, especially with suited connectors and small-to-medium pairs, hoping to hit strong hands post-flop.

Defense Against 3-bets:

• Call: Hands with high playability, such as suited connectors, small pairs, suited aces (A2s-A5s), etc. Big pairs and AK tend to 4-bet or fold, as calling often leads to difficult post-flop situations in deep stacks.
• 4-bet: Usually only with hands of strong polarity (AA/KK) and a few balancing hands (e.g., A5s). The 4-bet size should be larger (e.g., 2.5-3 times the 3-bet size) to prevent opponents from calling and creating huge post-flop pots.

Range Construction Logic

1. Playability Priority: In deep stacks, hands that can hit strong made hands or strong draws post-flop are more valuable. Suited connectors (e.g., 87s) have high probabilities of flopping straight or flush draws, offering huge implied odds. Small-to-medium pairs (22-66) can see cheap flops, and hitting a set can win large pots.

2. High Card Value Declines: High cards like AQo and KQo face more dangerous flops in deep stacks (e.g., a Q-high flop could be outdrawn by middle pairs or QT), and it's hard to extract three streets of value. Their raising frequency should usually be reduced, or they should only be opened from late positions.

3. Position Weight Increases: Late positions (BTN/CO) significantly widen their opening ranges, using positional advantage to control the pot post-flop. Early positions (UTG/HJ) keep ranges tighter to avoid being exploited by wide ranges from later positions.

4. Suit Bonus: Suited hands increase in value in deep stacks because of high implied odds when drawing to flushes, and suited cards block opponents' flush draws.

Adjustment Factors

• Effective Stack Depth: Differentiate between 200BB, 300BB, 500BB. The deeper the stack, the higher the weight on small pairs and suited connectors, and the lower the weight on big pairs and AK.
• Opponent Tendencies: If opponents are post-flop loose and willing to pay off, play more playable hands; if opponents are post-flop tight and fold frequently, increase bluffs and blind stealing.
• Open Size: In deep stacks, it's advisable to use larger raises (e.g., 3-4BB) to limit opponents from entering cheaply with wide ranges. Against loose-passive players, raise even larger (5BB+).
• Squeeze Dynamics: If opponents frequently squeeze (3-bet/cold call), tighten opening ranges, especially from poor positions.

GTO Reference

Strict GTO simulations (based on 200BB depth) yield the following approximate frequencies:

• UTG: Opening frequency approximately 12%, facing a 3-bet folds about 60%, calls about 25%, 4-bets about 15%.
• BTN: Opening frequency approximately 40%, facing a BB 3-bet folds about 50%, calls about 35%, 4-bets about 15%.
• BB Defense: Facing a BTN open, call frequency about 65%, 3-bet frequency about 18% (linear range), folds about 17%.

In actual play, adjust appropriately based on opponent deviations.

Practical Applications

1. Holding 66 UTG: At standard 100BB you can fold, but in deep stacks (300BB+) consider opening, as hitting a set on the flop can win a big pot. If faced with a 3-bet later, call and play postflop.

2. Holding ATo on the BTN: In deep stacks you can open-raise (about 3BB). If the big blind 3-bets, fold. If the big blind calls, be cautious postflop, as ATo typically cannot extract three streets of value.

3. Holding 88 in the SB: Facing a BTN open, in deep stacks tend to call rather than 3-bet, because 3-betting inflates the pot and playing out of position postflop is tricky. If the flop is low (e.g., 6-4-2), consider check-call or check-raise.

4. Holding T9s in the BB vs BTN open: In deep stacks almost always call, using implied odds when you flop a straight or flush draw.

In summary, the core of deep-stacked cash game preflop strategy is balancing playability with immediate hand strength, adjusting ranges flexibly based on effective stack depth and opponent dynamics.