starting hands SSNL 6-max

[melioris]

Ok, because I am a total geek, I am making yet another starting hands thread (that sound you hear are all the ballas collectively sighing in disgusted disbelief). I think enough of the readers of this site can benefit from something like this, and I was screwing around in PT today for a while (PT3 is great, btw) and starting figuring out hand ranges based on position and thought I would chart it and share.

Clearly stack size, recent history, and a myriad of other factors determine the best course of action in poker. But preflop is the most simple and therefore easiest to make "rules". I got these ranges based on the current SSNL 6-max game ($0.5/$1, $1/$2, and the little $2/$4 that I have played). Folks playing below those limits should probably tighten up everything a little, that means removing the bottom 5-10% from each range and doubling (or tripling) the value part of the value:bluff 3-bet range. But I think this chart will help you out anyway.

Also, I know it is totally lame of me, but I actually like to have my little chart next to me when I play. I like it because when I do something that deviates from my chart preflop I like to realize that and know why I am doing it. But that could just be because I am nitty and tight/weak by nature. Whatever.


So I made this chart mostly from my own PT database, looking primarily at my hands and some of the biggest winners in my db over 5K or more hands. I also read a variety of forums and webpages and stole when I thought they had something good that I didn't have, but generally I went with my stuff if there was a conflict. I stole the most from Fee's 5K post over at 2+2, although most of his preflop section re-enforced my own experience, which was comforting.

Finally, it is a pdf. I hate excel and don't use it. So you bitches get a pdf version. Any of you mac users can have it in numbers if you want.

[MAYHEM45]

This is a pretty good starting point, I would definitely add a few more hands in LP but UTG and MP are pretty much spot on. Well done.

[PShabi]

I open amy Ace from the CO. Dumbass?

[Wes]

Don't think I'd open Ax offsuit unless everyone behind me sucked hardcore. I'd open Ax from the CO if everyone behind me was terrible for sure though. Hell, I'd probably open any two suited cards from the button if the blinds are awful.

Basically, the more bad players there are (unless they are all a bunch of insane manaics), the more hands I play.

And if the dude is good, I'd fold A4o in the SB with action unopened to me because of reverse implied odds.

[Talking Poker]

I haven't completely analyzed this yet, but it looks pretty good to me. +Rep for the effort. I'm surprised this has had less response from newer and lower limit players..... ok, actually I'm not.

I agree with Mayhem that you can add in a few more hands in LP, especially at higher stakes, but for lower limits, it's probably better to be a little bit tighter.

Paying this style, what does your VPIP/PRF come out to? Around 18/14ish? I think that's a great starting point, especially for people learning the game, but I personally prefer playing looser - 22/18 to 24/20 or so.

Edit: Your current post count is my birth year - wooohooo!

[melioris]

i play around 24/21 or so, but I deviate from this at times. UTG range is 14-15% of starting hands here, so I estimate playing this exactly is something around 22/19 or so.

[Invigilator]

I like this. Thanks. Going back down to 25 max, I have been thinking about trying 6 handed again. I'll study this and keep it near by.

EDIT: played 10 max 6 handed on Stars last night. Jumped into arandom table..........

with stormswa.

no cool story. I lost 45 cents to him before he left.