Opening range and preflop raising on the button in FR games

I think I've noted but one possible leak in my game lately and that's playing in position, especially on the button, in full ring cash games.

I'm just wondering if I could get some general guidelines/advice on this subject. I know a lot of play on the button is based on what those acting before you preflop do, but do you generally open up your range a bit here a bit more?

I tend to play pretty TAG. It's just gotten to where I "feel" really weak in later positions and I know that's not good. I just really need to strengthen my play here and would appreciate some advice. Thanks.

Post a few hh where you feel like you made a mistake on the button.

Byrddogg said:

I think I've noted but one possible leak in my game lately and that's playing in position, especially on the button, in full ring cash games.

I'm just wondering if I could get some general guidelines/advice on this subject. I know a lot of play on the button is based on what those acting before you preflop do, but do you generally open up your range a bit here a bit more?

I tend to play pretty TAG. It's just gotten to where I "feel" really weak in later positions and I know that's not good. I just really need to strengthen my play here and would appreciate some advice. Thanks.

Click to expand...

If you play very tight in early position and fairly tight in middle position (which is the correct way to play) then you need to steal more from the Hijack through the blinds. Realistically from the button you want to be open raising with about 33% of your hands, i.e. a hand distribution something like 22+ A2+ A8o+ K7s+ K9o Q8s QTo J8s JTo Suited connectors T9-65, gappers T8- 75,etc.

From the Cutoff, if the button defends normally you would play a little tighter; 22+ A7s+ ATo K9s+ KJo+ Q9s+ QJo J9s+

From the Hijack 55+ A8s+ AJo+ KTs+ KQo+ QTs+ JTs

From MP: 77+ ATs+ KJs+ QJs

From EP: 88+ AJs+ AQo+ KQs

There you go!

Big blind play can be tricky. One key thing you have to always keep in your head when you are about to play from the BB is that, unless your heads up with the SB, you will be out of position the entire time. Position is arguably the most important thing in NL hold'em. It's a lot harder to play your drawing hands when you are first to act. You have far less information then anyone else does and this will make it very hard to know what the correct play is. One piece of advise I got when I was first starting was to have a similar starting range in the blinds that I do in EP. Once you start getting a better feel for post flop play you can expand this range. You'll also have to start dealing with people stealing your blinds but keep a range close to my UTG range really helped me make my blind play easier.

When it's folded to you on the button, you should open 100% until the blinds start adjusting.

When it's opened before you, it depends.