How to figure out ranges?

My weakness is trying to range players.
BB was 43/0 but very few hands on him.
Today there were few regs but lots of passives with
VPIP's 20+ and low PFR.
So I assume a huge range of almost ATC from this guy
and see what the betting is after the flop?

Any links or books you think helped you learn how to range
player would be appreciated!

Merge $4.00 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players

BTN: $4.16
SB: $4.41
BB: $4.47
UTG: $1.38
UTG+1: $2.30
Hero (MP): $4.69
CO: $3.86

Pre Flop: ($0.06) Hero is MP with K Q
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.16, 3 folds, BB calls $0.12

Flop: ($0.34) 5 J 7 (2 players)
BB bets $0.22, Hero calls $0.22

So here I'm guessing Jx...

Turn: ($0.78) 8 (2 players)
BB bets $0.58, Hero calls $0.58

Decided not to raise and string him along.
A mistake at the micro's?

River: ($1.94) 7 (2 players)
BB bets $0.97, Hero calls $0.97

Dunno why I didn't raise here :argh:

Final Pot: $3.88

One way to start is by learning roughly what hands are likely to be in various ranges. For example, if an opponent is playing 40% of his hands, what are the weakest holdings in his range? How about 30%, 25%, etc.? From there, you can try to narrow down his range based each of on his actions.

I agree with Arjonius. If the player plays every 3rd hand and raises each time you know their range is wide open. Conversely, if they only play one hand in 20 they only play the most premeum hands. Work from that and adjust from the actual number they play.

Arjonius said:

One way to start is by learning roughly what hands are likely to be in various ranges. For example, if an opponent is playing 40% of his hands, what are the weakest holdings in his range? How about 30%, 25%, etc.? From there, you can try to narrow down his range based each of on his actions.

Click to expand...

Pretty much this and for watching the action at all times, if you keep observing players you will see some actions they do again and again that will give you information.

Taking player notes will also give you a good idea too. When you see a player you have trouble with take not of what he shows down in the hands he plays.

Great option is when your having trouble against someone ... Avoid? fold when they show any type of strength unless you have premiums.

Ask yourself why are you having problems against this guy? Is he making you fold the best hand? Is he always winning showdowns with extreme crap cards? .. Best way if your having troubles is to go back to ABC basics and go from that.

Check the other players as well, theres normally 7 other players to get chips from.


People often widen up as they get closer to the button... So it's easier to put them on the lower scale closer to the button.... Also remember their raises? Normally a table you play at will keep to a standard preflop raise and you can play off that... To knock out the nonsense and cut down to business you can always re-raise if you think something fishy is going on or even shove every now and again if ofc he's raising more than normal.

Arjonius said:

For example, if an opponent is playing 40% of his hands, what are the weakest holdings in his range?

Click to expand...

Why would we look for the weakest part of someones range?
Wouldn't they only call the PFR with the top end of their range?

This is something I need to work on. I seem to play more with feel in this area. I do consider how lose or tight they have been playing and what hands they've shown down all from short term memory this guids me in the stregth of there hand, but I want to be more thorough. I heard there is a few good books on the subject, on of which is call "let there be range". Gl with the hand analysis.

Great topic. First to commenters nailed it on the head I think.
Notes are key to figuring players habits.