Hi guys,

I'm still fairly new to poker, but have been watching a lot of video's and reading forums/websites to try and learn.

I'm trying to use a card matrix to have a standard set of moves preflop in each position, which can then be tightened or loosened depending on how the table is playing.

I'll mainly be playing micro stakes online, so understand that means I should tighten up a little compared to what might be seen as standard (less bluffs and more value bets).
So my question is, what are good VPIP, PFR, 3bet% and 4bet% ratios to play from each position (assuming 6 max games)?

My first go at constructing a range for the Button is:

Button - VPIP = 20% PFR = 14% 3bet = 7% 4bet =2.6%

Would those be good stats to play with?

I don't play much cash, but this range is absurdly tight from the btn in unopened pots and you also have way too big of a vpip/pfr gap. Basically you want to be opening for a raise unless there are openlimpers behind you.

I suggest checking out something like upswing poker's free opening ranges and using those as a starting point.

20/17 (14 too low)/7 is something you might want to play on average considering all positions, not from the button.

For 6-max microstakes, fairly typical opening frequencies (assuming no one else entered the pot) are as follows:

UTG: 14%
MP/HJ: 18%
CO: 24%
BTN: 42%
SB: 40%

But you can exploitatively play wider than that in late position (some winners open 60% on the button), especially if the BB is a nit or a fish. If you're opening for 3x or larger, then tighter ranges, especially UTG, make more sense.

Thanks guys, your posts have been very helpful!

I've gone back to the drawing board, and thought more about what I'd do in various circumstances from the button, and so far have the following:

If folded to - VPIP 41%, PRF 41% (Maybe even a little wider if I think SB and BB will fold)
If all UTG, MP and CO limp - VPIP 26%, PRF 23% (If only one or two of them are in then I'll open wider)
If someone raises from earlier position - VPIP 17%, 3bet 8%
If facing a raise and 3 bet - VPIP 7%, 4bet 3%

Does that seem more reasonable? I think my nature is to play tight, so trying to not give into that too much

Yeah, that sounds more reasonable.
You can cold-call up to about 10% if someone raises in front of you (although I typically call tighter than that) and 3-betting 6 or 7% works pretty well in the micros.

Your 3bet range on the BTN should vary extremely according to who opened. If it's a CO open with a 57% fold to 3 bet I'll 3 bet 10% of hands. If it's an utg open I might only do like 4%. If it's a guy who rarely folds to 3bet and has a loose VPIP I'll 3 bet the top 7% of my range with no bluffs

All approximate

I've been looking more at my ranges (the standard set I use, which I then adjust based on reads on players). For the Button position, I currently have that I'd 3 bet a raise with the top 8% of my range, and call with the next 8.9%.

Facing a 3 bet, I'd 4 bet with the top 2.9% of my range and call with the next 4.2%.

The question is, am I calling too often? I ask because my HUD suggests I'm playing around 29% of hands which seems a bit high. If I am calling too much with those stats, am I better off reducing the call % by folding more, or pushing more of those hands into my 3 bet range, or (As I'm guessing) a mix of the two?

I only limp 3.9% of hands currently from the button and raise 21.9% if that makes any difference.

Thanks guys

A VPIP of 29% on the BTN is fine for soft games, but a little high in tight games, unless the majority of the VPIPing comes from RFI steals. I'm only cold-calling 7% on the BTN, (3-betting 5%) and my VPIP is 25.5% in that position. (My RFI when folded to me is 40%). You can either move some of your cold-calls into your 3-betting or folding ranges. It doesn't make a great deal of difference. All the hands at the bottom of your range (stuff like 98s, 54s) should be close to breakeven as calls or 3-bets, so folding is fine too. Don't cold-call 55-22 unless your tracker shows it's definitely profitable to set mine.

EDIT: If I run the "Cold-call" filter on my database, I get the following for the BTN position. I've called pre with these hands at least once, but it is NOT my default range.



Notice how the further away the hands are from the top left, the more likely they are to lose. Due to that phenomenon, I stopped calling with the weaker hands on that chart, and most of my cold calls are with suited Broadways and middle pocket pairs.

Sorry, I meant my overall average VPIP for all 6 positions is 29%, so definitely too high, and needs to be tightened up, especially given my PFR is only18-19%. I don't have stats on individual positions unfortunately.

It's very interesting to see your charts, what tracker do you use? I've only recently started playing so I'm just using a very basic free one for now. It's better than nothing, but doesn't give anything anywhere near as useful as what you posted below.

I'll have another look at my range and use yours as a rough guide to see what hands I should potentially be letting go more often. Maybe pushing the top of those calling ranges into my 3 bet range, and drop the bottom of it out into the fold category.

Check out snowie preflop advisor and use them as a default.
Then you can make slight adjustments.
Pay attention to details. QT, KT are in my mind, these might suprise you.
Don´t overvalue suited connectors and small pockets.

On the BTN I personally prefer opening 50-60% but I open with 2.2x.
SB I´d tighten up a bit more because you play OOP.

Generally try to either 3B or fold when entering a pot. Don´t cold call too much.

Be positionally aware. 3B A3s from BTN vs CO is totally fine, if you 3B A3s from SB vs UTG/MP you are burning money.

Play tight vs 3B in very low stakes. People usually have an extremely strong 3B range and won´t exploit you for overfolding. So tighten up your 3B calling range.

HEM.
And, yes 29% VPIP overall is too high, assuming you're playing micro 6-max (with 5 opponents on the table at all times). If a fair bit of your play is 4- or 5-handed, then 29% might be acceptable.