Putting villains in ranges

Hi

I would like to ask what's your thought process to put villains in ranges and how do you calculate either to call, raise or fold based on it.

Thanks

I usually use a villain's VPIP and PFR figures in HEM aswell as 3-bet % etc. An example from Harrington on Online Cash Games: 6-max

Villain opens UTG to 3.5x and we have ATs on the BTN. Villain is a 16/12 with a 3b % of 4. Looking closer at his stats tells us he opens 8% from UTG, which represents 2 possible types of ranges:

Range 1: 77+, AJo+,AJs+, KQs,JQs, JTs.

Range 2: 22+, AQo/s+

Vs Range 1 we have 37.67% and Range 2 we have 39.5%
Range 2 is better as we are less dominated and in more flip situations. In determining a range we need to be watching our opponents and taking notes to see which hands he's taken to showdown to determine which of the 2 types of rnages they can have. With odds of only 1.4-1 and 2 people yet to act, this makes ATs a fold vs both of villain's perceived UTG opening ranges.

To answer your question more directly, you need to look at your opponents stats and the hands you've seen them showdown in order to accurately determine the range of hands he could have in a given situation.

You make quite a point regarding position. I usualy have Pokerstove open and I put the villain's VPIP but the results are quite broad. If I take the position VPIP maybe the results are quite different, certainly something to try.

There are the extra loose players though. I think they pretty much play the same hand types (like any suited hands, aces, broadways) from everywhere. I can't really pinpoint what the hell they are doing, although I'm not unhappy with the results.

I do need to take more notes though. I only take notes of hole cards of preflop shoves and actions. I thought I was quite good in it and from what I've been told, I've been taking the wrong notes all this time.

Since VPIP is an average covering all positions, and Ben in this case showed us his villain is 16/x average, but 8/x UTG we can assume a sliding scale to the button...7 or 8 positions away. The blinds would best be left out of the VPIP average debate (yes debate, as it has never found a nice tidy way of being included) however both major trackers do add in the blinds. I'm of the mind that the blinds should be treated as a base on balls is in baseball....not counted as an at bat.

As button, it is sane to consider this particular villain is 24/x, obviously looser. And thus his range would be wider.

That's right I find it much more useful to look at VPIP/PFR stats based on individual positions like early, mid and late when determining the range of hands the opponent can have.