Poker Hand vs Range Calculator

Novice players ask: “Does my Ace-Jack beat his King-Queen?”

Pro players ask: “How does my Ace-Jack perform against the top 15% of hands he would shove with?”

In poker, you rarely know your opponent’s exact two cards. However, you can estimate their Range—the set of hands they would play in a specific situation. Our Hand vs Range Calculator is designed to answer the ultimate question: “Should I Call?” It compares your hand’s raw equity against a specific range and checks it against the Pot Odds to determine if the call is profitable (Positive EV).

How to Use the Calculator

This tool bridges the gap between guessing and mathematical precision. Here is how to analyze a spot:

1. Select Your Hand: Choose your two hole cards and check the “Suited” box if applicable.
2. Enter Pot Data:
   • Pot Size: The amount currently in the middle.
   • Amount to Call: How much you have to pay to see the next card (or showdown). This calculates your Pot Odds.
3. Set Opponent Range (The Slider): This is the skill element.
   • 5-10% (Tight): Only plays premiums (AA, KK, AK).
   • 15-25% (Standard): Plays good pairs, big aces, and suited broadways.
   • 50%+ (Loose/Maniac): Plays almost anything decent.
4. Read the Verdict: The calculator compares your Equity (how often you win) vs. the Pot Odds (the price you get). If Equity > Pot Odds, it is a Call.

Related Tools: If you are analyzing a Tournament spot, the chips might be worth more than their cash value; consider checking the MTT Variance Calculator. For post-flop analysis where you put your opponent on specific cards, use the standard Poker Odds Calculator.

Real-World Examples: Range Context Matters

The strength of your hand depends entirely on what your opponent is holding. See how the decision changes based on the “Range” slider.

Example 1: The “Nit” Shove

You hold Jacks (JJ). A very tight “Old Man Coffee” player goes All-in.

• Opponent Range: Top 3% (QQ+, AK).
• Your Equity: ~36%.
• The Verdict: Unless you are getting massive pot odds, this is often a FOLD. Your Jacks are crushed by his tight range.

Example 2: The “Bully” Shove

You hold the same Jacks (JJ). A loose, aggressive player shoves from the button.

• Opponent Range: Top 30% (Any Pair, Any Ace, Suited Connectors, Broadways).
• Your Equity: ~75%.
• The Verdict: EASY CALL. Against a wide range, Jacks are a monster hand.

Example 3: The “Math” Call

You hold 7s-8s (Suited Connector). A player shoves, but the pot is huge relative to his bet (you are getting 4-to-1 odds).

• The Math: You only need 20% equity to break even. Even against a strong range, 78s usually has about 30-35% live equity.
• The Verdict: MARGINAL CALL. You will lose often, but the price (Pot Odds) is too good to pass up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)