How to Read a GTO Preflop Chart
A GTO preflop chart is a 13x13 grid showing all 169 starting hands. Each cell is colored by GTO action:
- Green = Raise — GTO raises (open or 3-bet) with this hand at high frequency
- Amber = Call — GTO calls (defends vs open) — common from BB
- Red = Fold — GTO folds — not enough equity vs the relevant range
Hover any hand in our Preflop Lab to see exact frequencies (e.g., "AKs: R92/C5/F3, EV +1.8bb") and the primary action. Mixed cells (e.g., R45/C30/F25) mean GTO mixes — you should randomize too.
How to read hand labels: Pairs are "AA, KK..." (diagonal), suited hands end in "s" (AKs, JTs — above diagonal), offsuit end in "o" (AKo, JTo — below diagonal). Higher rank first always.
Position-by-Position Breakdown (100bb 6-Max)
| Position | GTO Open % | Key Hands Added vs Tighter Position |
|---|---|---|
| UTG | ~15% | Baseline — pairs 77+, AK/AQ, KQs, AJs, T9s+ |
| HJ | ~20% | Adds AJo, KQo, QJs, JTs, 66 |
| CO | ~28% | Adds all suited aces, KJo, QJo, 76s+, 55 |
| BTN | ~48% | Adds any ace, most kings, T8o+, 97s+, 44+ |
| SB | ~35% open | Tighter than BTN (OOP), but 3-bets wide vs CO/BTN |
| BB | Defends ~55% vs BTN | Calls wide vs steals — any suited, most broadways, pairs |
Explore each: UTG 100bb · HJ 100bb · CO 100bb · BTN 100bb · SB 100bb · BB 100bb
The pattern: the later your position, the wider you open — because fewer players remain to punish you, and you have better postflop position.
How Stack Depth Changes Ranges
- 20bb (short): Push/fold territory. Many hands become all-in or fold. Speculative hands (small suited connectors) lose value — you lack implied odds. See BTN 20bb.
- 40bb (mid): Still shallow — cut small suited connectors, size down 3-bets. Pairs and broadways go up in value.
- 100bb (standard): Full implied odds — suited connectors and small pairs are profitable. The baseline to master first.
- 200bb (deep): Huge implied odds but reverse implied odds punish dominated hands. Tighten offsuit hands from early position; postflop skill dominates.
Compare the same position across stacks to see the effect: BTN 20bb vs BTN 100bb vs BTN 200bb — notice how 20bb is much more polarized.
The 3-Step Study System
- Quiz: Cover the grid. Ask "What does GTO do with KJo CO 100bb?" Guess, then hover to check. Note surprises.
- Understand: For each surprise, ask WHY. Blockers? Equity realization? Domination? Our AI Coach explains.
- Drill: Lab auto-generates drills for your weakest position/stack. 10 min/day beats cramming.
Pro tip: track your VPIP by position in your poker tracker and compare to GTO. The gap IS your leak — Lab quantifies it in bb/100.
Practice Drills for Preflop Mastery
Knowing the chart is not enough — you need to make decisions automatically under time pressure. Here is how Lab drills preflop:
- Range quiz: Lab shows a hand (e.g., "A9s HJ 100bb") and you guess raise/call/fold. Instant feedback with EV.
- Leak-targeted drills: If your tracker shows you over-fold BB, Lab generates 5 BB defense spots in a row until the pattern sticks.
- Spaced repetition: Missed hands reappear at increasing intervals (1 day, 3 days, 7 days) — proven to build long-term memory.
Try it: pick your weakest position from the table above, study its chart for 5 minutes, then drill it. Repeat daily for a week — you will feel the difference at the table.
Common Preflop Mistakes
- Opening too wide UTG — AJo and KQo look pretty but bleed EV when dominated. Fold them UTG at 100bb.
- Not stealing enough BTN — If your BTN VPIP is under 40% at 100bb, you are over-folding. GTO opens ~48%.
- Over-folding BB — Folding BB vs BTN more than 45% at 100bb lets regs open 100% and print money.
- Calling 3-bets too wide OOP — Calling 3-bets out of position with suited connectors is a major leak at 100bb. 4-bet or fold more.
- Ignoring stack depth — Playing 20bb ranges at 100bb (or vice versa) costs huge EV. Always check stack.
FAQ
What is the best GTO preflop chart for beginners?
Start with BTN 100bb — it is the most common spot and most profitable to master. Then add BB 100bb defense (biggest leak for most players), then UTG.
Are these charts accurate for live poker?
Yes for 6-max cash with ~5% rake cap $3. Live games often have higher rake and looser players — you will exploitatively tighten UTG and widen BTN even more. But GTO baseline still applies.
How do I memorize preflop charts?
Do not memorize — understand and drill. Use the quiz method above + Lab spaced repetition. Understanding WHY (blockers, equity) makes frequencies intuitive and memorable.
Can I use these charts during play?
No — for post-hand study only. Using charts during live play violates PokerStars/GGPoker ToS and risks bans. Study off-table, play on-table.