GGPOKER

Hand reading is one of the most misunderstood concepts among recreational players, who often try to pin their opponents on a specific hand. This might make for good TV, but it’s neither practical nor an effective way to read hands.

So, how should you accurately read hands?

The Range-Based Hand Reading Process

Hand reading isn’t easy—you must process a massive amount of information in a short time, with each piece affecting your opponent’s possible range. These pieces of information are often called data points.

• Your position and your opponent’s position

• Your opponent’s bet sizing

• Your opponent’s playing tendencies

Poker has nearly infinite data points, and no one can consider every factor in real-time. That’s why you need a simplified yet efficient process. First, let’s outline the fundamentals of hand reading:

1. Ranges narrow as the hand progresses from preflop to the river.GGPoker

2. Every decision your opponent makes allows you to eliminate hands from their range that don’t align with that action.

Now, let’s walk through an example to see how to read hands street by street. We’ll use a cash game scenario, but this process applies to tournaments as well.

Hand Reading Example: K♥ 8♥ in the Big Blind

You’re playing a $0.50/$1 online cash game. This is your first hand at the table, you have a $100 stack, and you have no reliable reads on your opponents.

Preflop:

• Folds to the Cutoff (CO), who raises to $2.50.

• The Button and Small Blind (SB) fold.

• You’re in the Big Blind (BB) with K♥ 8♥.

Even before the flop, you can start range construction. Since the CO open-raised, they likely have a strong or playable hand. However, because they’re in late position, their range is relatively wide.

A reasonable estimate of their range might be:

• Pairs: 22+

• Suited Aces: A2s+

• Suited Broadways & Connectors: K7s+, Q8s+, J8s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, 54s

• Offsuit Broadways: ATo+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo

Key Note: We’ve already eliminated many weak hands from their range simply because they raised. As the hand progresses, we’ll narrow it further based on their actions.

Given that you’re getting a good price (calling $1.50 to win $4), K♥ 8♥ is an easy call.

Flop: K♠ 5♦ 4♠

Pot: $5.50 You check, and the CO bets $2.

This is a dry, uncoordinated flop (few draws). You should expect the CO to c-bet most of their range here:

• Value bets: Top pair+ (AK, KQ, sets, two pairs)

• Bluffs/Draws: Flush draws (A♠X♠, Q♠J♠), straight draws (65, 76), backdoor draws

• Checks: Weaker pairs (QQ-TT) and some A-high hands without spades

Against this wide c-betting range, your top pair (K♥ 8♥) is strong enough to call.

You call. Pot: $9.50

Turn: 7♥

You check, and the CO bets $7.

Now, we reassess their range. They likely:

• Bet for value: Strong Kx (AK, KQ), sets, two pairs

• Bet as a bluff/semi-bluff: Flush draws, straight draws (e.g., 65, 86)

• Check: Weaker hands (pairs like TT, A-high)

Against this range, K♥ 8♥ has ~38.88% equity. Since you only need 29.8% equity to call profitably (based on pot odds), this is an easy call—especially with a gutshot (T9 now gives you a straight).

You call. Pot: $23.50

River: 2♠

You check, and the CO bets $17.

This is a tricky spot because:

• The 2♠ completes potential flushes (if they had spade draws).

• Their value range now includes flushes, straights, and sets.

• Their bluffs are mostly busted draws (Q8-98, A6, etc.).

After constructing their range, K♥ 8♥ has only ~26.83% equity, while you need 29.6% to justify a call.

Conclusion: This is a fold—calling would be slightly unprofitable against this range.

Key Takeaways:

1. Start with a wide range and narrow it street by street.

2. Use opponent’s actions to eliminate unlikely hands.

3. Compare your equity vs. pot odds to make optimal decisions.

4. Avoid putting opponents on exact hands—think in ranges.

This range-based approach is far more effective than guessing specific holdings, helping you make better decisions in real-time.