Deep Stacked Cash Game Preflop Strategy: Build Your Preflop Range

Position-Based Scenarios

Deep stacks typically refer to effective stack depths of 200 big blinds (bb) or more. At this depth, post-flop pot odds and implied odds change, requiring adjustments to pre-flop ranges. This article uses 200bb as a baseline to discuss pre-flop strategy for six-max cash games (the principles are similar for nine-max tables).

Recommended Ranges (Described by Hand Types)

CO (Cutoff) Open-Raising Range

• Main Range: Approximately 22% of hands, including:
  • All pocket pairs (22+)
  • All suited connectors (54s+)
  • All suited one-gappers (T8s+, 97s+, 86s+, etc., adjusted by position)
  • All suited aces (A2s+)
  • Some unsuited high cards (ATo+, KJo+, QJo+, etc.)
• Deep Stack Adjustment: Increase the frequency of playing small-to-medium pocket pairs (22-66) and increase the proportion of suited connectors and suited one-gappers. These hands are more likely to form strong draws or the nuts post-flop in deep stacks.

BTN (Button) Open-Raising Range

• Main Range: Approximately 40% of hands, including:
  • All pocket pairs (22+)
  • All suited connectors (54s+, including lower ones like 32s)
  • All suited one-gappers (T9s to 32s, adjusted by position)
  • All suited aces (A2s+)
  • Most unsuited high cards (ATo+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo)
  • Some unsuited mid-to-low cards (e.g., J9o, T9o, etc., situationally)
• Deep Stack Adjustment: As the last position, BTN can enter pots more aggressively in deep stacks, especially by adding more suited connectors and one-gappers to leverage positional advantage and deep-stack implied odds.

SB (Small Blind) vs BTN Open-Raise

• Defending Range: Approximately 25-30% of hands (depending on opponent's raising frequency), including:
  • All pocket pairs (22+)
  • Most suited connectors (54s+)
  • Some suited one-gappers (T8s+, 97s+, etc.)
  • All suited aces (A2s+)
  • Some unsuited high cards (ATo+, KJo+, QJo+, etc.)
• Deep Stack Adjustment: You can slightly widen your defending range because implied odds are higher for the SB in deep stacks, and the positional disadvantage can be compensated for with post-flop skills. However, be careful not to over-defend and avoid being exploited.

BB (Big Blind) Defending the Big Blind

• Defending Range: Approximately 45-55% of hands (depending on raise size and opponent's position), including:
  • All pocket pairs (22+)
  • All suited connectors (32s+)
  • Most suited one-gappers (any two suited cards with a gap, e.g., 86s, 75s, etc.)
  • All suited aces (A2s+)
  • Most unsuited high cards (A2o+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo)
  • Some unsuited mid-to-low cards (e.g., J9o, T9o, 98o, etc.)
• Deep Stack Adjustment: In deep stacks, the BB can defend with a wider range because pot odds are better (already invested 1bb). However, maintain a balance between 3-betting and calling ranges.

Range Construction Logic

The core factors affecting deep stacks are implied odds and reverse implied odds.

• Increasing the Value of Suited Connectors and Pocket Pairs: These hands are more likely to hit strong holdings (flushes, straights, sets) in deep stacks and often win large pots. Therefore, you can play them more frequently even from early positions.
• Decreasing the Relative Value of Unsuited High Cards (e.g., AQo, AJo): These hands often flop top pair with a weak kicker, making them prone to losing big pots in deep stacks (e.g., against an opponent's set or two pair). This doesn't mean you shouldn't play them, but you need to be cautious.
• Increasing the Frequency of Limping or Calling: At 100bb, many pre-flop raises are for stealing blinds or isolating. In deep stacks, limping in can control pot size and take advantage of multi-way pots post-flop.

Adjustment Factors

• Opponent Type: Against tight-passive players, you can raise and steal blinds more aggressively; against loose-aggressive players, tighten your range and use more 3-bets for protection.
• Stack Depth: When depth exceeds 300bb, the value of suited connectors and pocket pairs increases further, while the value of hands like AQ and KQ decreases. When depth is below 200bb, the strategy gradually returns to the 100bb standard.
• Raise Size: The standard pre-flop raise size in deep stacks is usually 3-4bb (about 30-40% of the pot). If opponents have a wide calling range, you can increase the raise size to isolate.
• Game Balance: In theory, GTO pre-flop ranges in deep stacks emphasize balance more. However, in practice, most players have leaks that can be exploited.

GTO Reference

In GTO models, the open-raising ranges for CO and BTN in deep stacks are wider than at 100bb, especially with the addition of low suited connectors. The BB's defending range is also wider, but the 3-betting range tends to be more polarized (AA, KK, AK, and a few suited connectors like A5s).

Note: GTO is not perfect; in actual games, adjust based on opponent tendencies.

Practical Application

• Example: You are on the BTN with 65s, effective stack 250bb. UTG folds, CO limps. As BTN, you can raise to 4bb, leveraging your positional and deep-stack advantage to punish the opponent's weak range post-flop.
• Example: You are in the BB with KJo. BTN raises to 3.5bb, SB calls. Effective stack 200bb. You can call because your hand has some strength and the pot odds are favorable. Post-flop, tend to use small-to-medium bet sizes to avoid losing big pots in deep stacks.
• Common Mistake: Overplaying Ax hands in deep stacks, especially A9o-A2o, as they are easily dominated. Reduce their frequency appropriately.