Hand Range Visualizer: Understand Poker Starting Hands
A hand range is the complete set of hands a player might hold in a given situation. This interactive visualizer displays all 169 unique Texas Hold'em starting hand combinations in a 13x13 matrix. Learn which hands professional players open from each position, build custom ranges, and develop an intuitive understanding of preflop strategy that forms the foundation of winning poker.
Interactive Hand Range Matrix
Hand Information
Understanding the Hand Matrix
The 13x13 grid represents all 169 strategically distinct starting hands in Texas Hold'em. While there are 1,326 possible two-card combinations, many are equivalent (e.g., A♥K♥ and A♠K♠ play identically preflop). The matrix organizes these into three categories according to research published by the Two Plus Two poker theory forums:
- Pocket Pairs (diagonal): 13 hands from AA to 22, each with 6 possible combinations
- Suited Hands (above diagonal): 78 hands where both cards share a suit, each with 4 combinations
- Offsuit Hands (below diagonal): 78 hands where cards have different suits, each with 12 combinations
This distinction matters because suited hands have significant additional equity from flush possibilities. According to Card Player's analysis, suited hands typically hold 3-4% additional equity over their offsuit counterparts when all-in preflop against a random hand.
Position-Based Opening Ranges
How to Read Hand Notation
Poker hands are written using standard notation that conveys rank and suit information efficiently:
| Notation | Meaning | Example Hands | Combinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA, KK, QQ | Pocket pairs | A♥A♠, K♦K♣ | 6 each |
| AKs, KQs | Suited (s = same suit) | A♥K♥, K♠Q♠ | 4 each |
| AKo, KQo | Offsuit (o = different suits) | A♥K♠, K♦Q♣ | 12 each |
| AK | Both suited and offsuit | All AK combinations | 16 total |
Hand Strength Tiers
Starting hands can be categorized into tiers based on their raw equity and playability. This tiering system, derived from research by Upswing Poker's preflop charts, helps beginners understand which hands are strongest:
Tier 1 - Premium AA, KK, QQ, AKs, AKo
Tier 2 - Strong JJ, TT, AQs, AQo, AJs, KQs
Tier 3 - Playable 99-77, ATs-A2s, KJs, QJs, JTs, T9s, 98s
Tier 4 - Speculative 66-22, suited connectors, suited one-gappers, small suited aces
Tier placement affects which positions can profitably open each hand. Premium hands are opened from any position, while speculative hands typically require late position (button or cutoff) to compensate for their lower raw equity with positional advantage and implied odds potential.
Why Position Matters for Hand Selection
Position is arguably the most important concept in poker. Acting last provides tremendous informational and strategic advantages. As documented in the PokerStrategy position analysis, players on the button win approximately 10% more pots than players in early position with identical hands.
This positional advantage allows later positions to open wider ranges profitably:
- Information advantage: You see opponents act before making decisions
- Pot control: You decide final bet sizing on every street
- Bluffing opportunities: Checked-to player can represent wide ranges
- Value extraction: Easier to build pots with strong hands when acting last
The presets in this tool reflect recommended opening ranges for a full-ring (9-handed) game. Shorthanded games (6-max) allow slightly wider ranges from each position due to fewer opponents.
Using This Tool Effectively
Study Position Ranges
Click through the position presets to visualize how ranges expand from early to late position. Notice how the diagonal (pairs) fills in first, followed by the upper-left quadrant (strong suited hands), and finally more offsuit combinations. This pattern reflects fundamental hand strength principles applicable to Omaha and other poker variants as well.
Build Custom Ranges
Click individual cells to select or deselect hands. The statistics panel updates in real-time, showing total hands, range percentage, and approximate equity versus a random hand. Use this to experiment with adjustments - for example, adding suited connectors to an early position range or removing trap hands like KJo.
Analyze Hand Details
Hover over any cell to see detailed information about that specific hand, including combination count, equity, and typical opening positions. This information helps you understand why certain hands are valued more highly than others and integrates with concepts from our pot odds calculator for postflop decisions.
Common Range Construction Mistakes
- Playing too wide from early position: Hands like KTo and QJo may seem playable but perform poorly out of position against multiple opponents
- Undervaluing suited connectors: Hands like 76s and 87s have excellent implied odds potential in position, often outperforming "stronger" offsuit hands
- Overplaying small pairs: While pairs have set potential, 22-55 from early position face reverse implied odds when dominated by higher sets
- Ignoring stack depth: Deep stacks favor speculative hands; short stacks favor high-card strength
Integrating Range Analysis with Other Tools
Hand ranges work together with other poker mathematics concepts. Use this visualizer alongside our other tools for comprehensive preflop and postflop analysis:
- Range Equity Analyzer - Calculate your hand's equity against entire opponent ranges
- Poker Odds Calculator - Calculate specific hand vs hand matchups
- Pot Odds Calculator - Determine correct calling frequencies
- Expected Value Calculator - Analyze the profitability of any decision
- Combination Calculator - Count hand combos and understand blocker effects
- Preflop Trainer - Quiz yourself on opening decisions by position
- Hand Strength Score - Get a 0-100 strength rating for any starting hand
- Hand Rankings Reference - Review complete hand hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there only 169 unique hands when 1,326 combinations exist?
Preflop, suits only matter for suited vs offsuit distinction - specific suit combinations are equivalent. AKs (4 combos) plays identically whether it's hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades. This reduces 1,326 to 169 strategically distinct hands: 13 pairs x 6 combos + 78 suited hands x 4 combos + 78 offsuit hands x 12 combos = 1,326 total.
Should I always follow these position presets exactly?
No. Presets represent baseline recommendations for balanced play against unknown opponents. Adjust based on table dynamics: tighten against aggressive players behind you, widen against passive blinds, and exploit specific opponent tendencies when identified. Presets are starting points, not rigid rules.
How does suited vs offsuit affect actual win rate?
Suited hands win approximately 3-4% more often than their offsuit counterparts when comparing all-in preflop equity. More importantly, suited hands realize equity better postflop through flush draws and potential nuts. This makes suited hands significantly more valuable in deep-stacked play.
What's the difference between opening range and calling range?
Opening range is what you raise when folded to. Calling/3-betting ranges respond to opponent opens and typically differ significantly. This tool focuses on opening ranges - defending ranges require more complex analysis based on position and open size.
How do I memorize these ranges?
Start with principles rather than memorization: premium hands from anywhere, add pairs in middle position, suited connectors from late position, widest on the button. Practice with this visualizer, then test yourself by covering the grid and reconstructing ranges from memory.
Continue Your Poker Education
- Texas Hold'em Complete Rules - Master the game these ranges apply to
- Poker Hand Rankings - Understand made hand strength
- Pot Odds Calculator - Apply mathematics to postflop decisions
- Expected Value Calculator - Measure decision profitability
- Omaha Poker Guide - Apply range concepts to four-card poker
Responsible Gaming Note
This tool is provided for educational purposes to help you understand poker theory and hand selection. While proper hand selection improves results, poker involves significant variance and psychological challenges. Understanding ranges helps you make informed decisions, but responsible bankroll management and recognizing limits remain essential for anyone playing poker.