Preflop Poker Charts: Complete GTO Range Guide for 2026
Every winning poker player starts with solid preflop fundamentals. These charts show you exactly which hands to open, 3-bet, and fold from every position at a 6-max cash game table.
What are preflop charts?
Preflop charts are visual guides that tell you which hands to play from each position at the poker table. They’re based on Game Theory Optimal (GTO) solutions — mathematically solved strategies that cannot be exploited.
Think of them as your starting playbook. Instead of guessing whether to open K9s from the hijack, you check the chart. Over time, these decisions become automatic — and your win rate improves because you stop making costly preflop mistakes.
How to read a preflop chart
Preflop charts use standard poker hand notation:
The “+” means “and better.” So ATs+ means ATs, AJs, AQs, and AKs. For pairs, TT+ means TT, JJ, QQ, KK, AA.
Want interactive preflop charts? Preflop Wizard has 100+ GTO charts you can study and drill on your phone.
6-max preflop charts by position
These ranges are for 100bb deep 6-max No Limit Hold’em cash games — the most common format online and increasingly popular live. Adjust slightly for 9-max (tighten UTG/MP ranges).
UTG (Under the Gun)
Open ~15%The tightest opening position. You have 5 players left to act, so you need strong hands to open.
Open-raise range
22+, ATs+, AJo+, KQs, KJs, QJs, JTs, T9s
3-bet range
QQ+, AKs, AKo — and optionally some bluffs like A5s, A4s
HJ (Hijack)
Open ~19%Slightly wider than UTG. One fewer player to act gives you more room to open.
Open-raise range
22+, A9s+, ATo+, KTs+, KQo, QTs+, JTs, T9s, 98s
3-bet range
QQ+, AKs, AKo, AJs — plus bluffs like A5s-A4s, 76s
CO (Cutoff)
Open ~27%A strong stealing position. Only the button and blinds remain — you can open a wide range profitably.
Open-raise range
22+, A2s+, A8o+, K9s+, KTo+, Q9s+, QTo+, J9s+, JTo, T8s+, 97s+, 87s, 76s, 65s
3-bet range
JJ+, AKs, AKo, AQs, AQo — plus bluffs like A5s-A2s, KQs, 87s
BTN (Button)
Open ~43%The most profitable position. You act last postflop, so you can open the widest range.
Open-raise range
22+, A2s+, A2o+, K2s+, K7o+, Q4s+, Q9o+, J7s+, J9o+, T7s+, T9o, 96s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, 54s
3-bet range
TT+, AQs+, AKo — plus bluffs like A5s-A2s, K5s-K2s, 76s, 65s
SB (Small Blind)
Open ~36% (raise or fold)You're out of position postflop against the big blind. Most GTO strategies use a raise-or-fold approach — no limping.
Open-raise range
22+, A2s+, A4o+, K4s+, K9o+, Q7s+, QTo+, J8s+, JTo, T8s+, 97s+, 87s, 76s, 65s, 54s
3-bet range
Against BTN open: JJ+, AKs, AQs, AKo — plus bluffs like A5s-A3s, K9s
BB (Big Blind)
Open N/A — defendingYou already have money in the pot. Your job is to defend against opens — call or 3-bet at the right frequency.
Open-raise range
You don't open from BB — you defend against raises
3-bet range
QQ+, AKs, AKo, AQs — plus bluffs like A5s-A2s, K5s, 76s, 65s. Call wide: suited connectors, suited aces, pocket pairs
Reading charts is step 1. Drilling them until they’re automatic is step 2. Practice with Preflop Wizard’s AI trainer.
5 key preflop principles
Position determines range width
The later your position, the wider you can open. UTG opens ~15% of hands. The button opens ~43%. This isn't a suggestion — it's math.
Suited hands are much stronger than offsuit
ATs is an easy open from UTG. ATo is a fold. The flush and straight potential of suited hands adds roughly 3-4% equity.
Don't limp — raise or fold
Limping (just calling the big blind) is a losing play in almost every spot. GTO preflop strategy is raise or fold, with calling reserved for the big blind.
3-bet for value AND as bluffs
A balanced 3-betting range includes premium hands (QQ+, AK) and bluffs (A5s, 76s). The bluffs have blockers and playability if called.
Stack depth matters
These charts assume 100bb effective stacks. With shorter stacks (40-60bb), tighten up. With deeper stacks (150bb+), you can widen slightly with suited connectors and small pairs.
Common preflop mistakes
Playing too many hands from early position
UTG should only open ~15% of hands. If you're opening KTo or Q9s from UTG, you're burning money.
Not 3-betting enough
Many players only 3-bet with AA/KK. A balanced 3-bet range includes bluffs like A5s and suited connectors.
Limping preflop
Open-limping is almost never correct in GTO strategy. Raise or fold. The only exception is completing the small blind in some limped pots.
Folding too much in the big blind
You already have 1bb invested. Against a min-raise, you need to defend wide — roughly 50-60% of hands depending on position.
Ignoring position
Playing A9o the same way from UTG and the button is a huge leak. Position is the single most important factor in preflop hand selection.
How to practice preflop ranges
Knowing the charts isn’t enough — you need to drill them until the decisions are automatic. Here’s how:
Start with one position at a time. Master UTG before moving to HJ.
Use a trainer app that gives you random hands and positions — then tests your decision.
Track your accuracy. Aim for 90%+ correct decisions before moving to the next position.
Review mistakes. When you get a hand wrong, understand WHY the correct play is right.
Practice for 10-15 minutes before each poker session to prime your brain.