In modern poker, thinking in terms of specific hands (e.g., “he has Ace-King”) is a rookie mistake. Professional players think in Ranges—the entire spectrum of hands a player might hold in a specific situation.
Whether you are constructing a solid Opening (RFI) strategy, defining your 3-betting frequency, or analyzing a hand in a solver, you need a visual way to represent these ranges. Our Poker Range Builder is a powerful, interactive tool that lets you paint ranges on a standard 13×13 grid, calculate combo counts, and generate text strings compatible with analysis software like Flopzilla.
Preflop Range Builder
Chart GeneratorHow to Use the Range Builder
This tool is designed for both manual customization and quick preset generation. Here is how to create your charts:
- Manual Selection (The Grid):
- Click and drag across the 13×13 Matrix to add or remove hands.
- Green cells represent Pairs, Amber are Suited hands, and Blue are Offsuit hands.
- Using the Slider (Linear Ranges):
- Use the “Top X% Hands” slider to instantly generate a mathematical range based on hand strength. For example, sliding to 15% will highlight the top 15% of hands (pairs, strong broadways) typically used for early position opens.
- Quick Presets:
- Select a scenario from the dropdown menu (e.g., 6-Max BTN Open or Linear 3-Bet) to load a standard baseline range, which you can then tweak.
- Exporting:
- The tool automatically generates a text string (e.g.,
QQ+, AKs, KQs...) in the bottom text box. Click “Copy Text” to paste this directly into a solver or a forum post.
- The tool automatically generates a text string (e.g.,
Related Tools: Once you have built a range, use the Hand vs Range Equity Calculator to see how a specific hand performs against it. To compare two constructed ranges against each other, use the Range vs Range Calculator.
Real-World Examples: Constructing Strategies
Why do you need a visual range builder? Here are three common study scenarios.
Example 1: Visualizing Positional Awareness
New players often play too many hands from early position.
- UTG (Under the Gun): Use the preset to load “6-Max UTG.” You will see a tight, 15% range consisting mostly of pocket pairs and Ace-high strong hands.
- BTN (Button): Switch to “6-Max BTN.” You will see the range expand to 45% or more, including suited connectors and gappers. Visualizing this difference helps you understand why position dictates aggression.
Example 2: Linear vs. Polarized 3-Betting
You want to construct a Linear 3-Bet Range (betting only your best hands for value).
- Use the slider to select the Top 8%.
- The chart highlights
88+, ATs+, KJs+, AQo+. This is a visual representation of a “No-Bluff” range often used against calling stations.
Example 3: Exporting for Solver Work
You played a hand where you suspect your opponent called with a “Defend Big Blind” range.
- Select the “BB Defense” preset (approx 55%).
- Click Copy Text.
- Paste this string into a tool like Flopzilla. Now you can accurately calculate how often that range hits a specific Flop (e.g., K-7-2 rainbow).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between Linear and Polarized ranges?
A Linear Range (or Merged Range) consists of the top X% of hands (e.g., AA down to 88). It is purely value-heavy. A Polarized Range consists of the very best hands (Nuts) and some weak bluffs, but checks the medium-strength hands. This tool helps you visualize the difference by selecting specific grid cells.
What does “RFI” mean in the presets?
RFI stands for Raise First In. It refers to the range of hands you should open-raise with when everyone before you has folded. The presets in this calculator (UTG, CO, BTN) are standard RFI ranges for 100bb deep play.
Can I paste the text output into other software?
Yes. The text format generated by this tool (e.g., JJ+, AQs+) is the industry standard format used by Equilab, Flopzilla, PioSolver, and GTO Wizard.