Flop Range Betting Frequency Table: CO vs BB Full Guide

Position Scenario Description

Consider a common situation: full ring (9 players), CO raises to 3BB preflop, BB calls. On the flop, CO is out of position (no position) but as the preflop aggressor, still needs to decide whether to continuation bet. This tutorial uses this scenario as a baseline to discuss the key points of the flop betting frequency chart.

Recommended Range (Hand Types)

Using the flop “K♠ 8♥ 3♦” as an example (rainbow board, no flush draws), CO's recommended betting range includes the following types:

• Value hands: Top pair or better (e.g., KQ, KJ, AK, AA, KK), and top pair top kicker (KT+). These hands need to extract value from worse hands.
• Draws: Open-ended straight draws (e.g., QJ, JT, if the flop had T9 it would form), bottom pair with backdoor flush (e.g., 8♦6♦, though no flush draw present, can later bluff). Note: This flop has no flush draws, so draws are mainly straight draws.
• Bluffs: Completely missed hands, such as small to medium pocket pairs (77, 66), overcard gutshots (AQ, AT), etc. These hands need to bet to balance the range and force opponents to fold.
• Checking range: Medium-strength hands like middle pair (e.g., 88? Actually 88 is top set, should bet; here referring to 8x?), and weak pairs (e.g., 44) and low suited connectors (e.g., 65s) can consider checking to control pot size.

Note: Actual range needs adjustment based on flop texture; this is only example logic.

Range Construction Logic

The construction of the betting range follows either a “polarized” or “linear” principle. On a dry flop (e.g., K83r), a polarized strategy is typically used: value hands (top pair or better) combined with bluff hands (weak hands with backdoor draws), while medium-strength hands (e.g., 88, K8s; but in this example 88 is top set, so should be value) are either mixed or checked.

Core steps:

1. Determine value hands: Start from strong hands, such as two pair or better, top pair top kicker. Assume CO's preflop range is about 22% of hands. On flop K83r, top pair or better is about 10% of hands (including AK, KQ, KJ, AA, KK, 88, 33, K8s, etc.).
2. Balance bluffs: The number of bluff hands should make the opponent indifferent to calling against the value/bluff ratio. GTO suggests a value-to-bluff ratio of about 1:1 to 2:1, depending on bet size. For a 1/2 pot bet, the bluff percentage is about 33%; for a 2/3 pot bet, about 40%.
3. Mix fold hands: Some weak hands (e.g., 66, 55) can be checked, and some used as bluffs, to avoid being too exploitable.

Adjustment Factors

• Player type: Against tight-passive players, increase bluff frequency; against calling stations, reduce bluffs and widen the value range.
• Stack depth: In deep-stacked situations, bluffs can exert more pressure with remaining stack, so you can increase bluffs; in short-stack situations, prioritize value.
• Board texture: On wet flops (e.g., J♥T♥9♠), decrease c-bet frequency and play slowly; on dry flops, you can bet at a high frequency.
• History and dynamics: If the opponent knows you c-bet frequently, you can reduce frequency; otherwise, you can increase it.

GTO Reference

In a CO vs BB scenario on a dry flop, GTO suggests a c-bet frequency of about 60-70% (with a 1/2 to 2/3 pot bet). The value-to-bluff ratio is about 2:1 (for 1/2 pot) to 1.5:1 (for 2/3 pot). Exact frequencies need precise calculation through solvers, but the above range can serve as a practical baseline.

Practical Application

Example: Flop K♠8♥3♦, pot 6BB. CO holds J♥T♥ (top pair? Actually it's a gutshot straight draw with backdoor flush), which by logic falls into the bluff range, so bet 3BB (1/2 pot). If CO holds K♦Q♣, it's a value hand, also bet. If CO holds 8♠7♠ (bottom pair), then possibly check, because you can't get value from worse hands and it invites opponent to bluff.

Adjustment: If BB is a loose-aggressive player who frequently raises, reduce the bluffing range and increase checking frequency, controlling the pot with medium-strength hands. If BB is tight-passive, you can widen your bluff range and apply continuous pressure.

Remember: Frequency tables are dynamic tools that must be fine-tuned based on specific opponents and board textures; do not execute them mechanically.