Thoughts about my HU pre-flop ranges?

Originally Posted by MadMojoMonkey

Yes. I agree. I got rushed this morning and probably should have deleted that post instead of posting it.

Taking it from the perspective of Villain's standard raise sizing (or Hero's when Hero is BTN):

When BTN limps, there is no bet to Hero. (not really a bluff, then, eh?)
BB continues with 100%, obv.

BTN min-raises: 1.5/(1.5 + 1.5) = 50%
BB continues with at least 50% range.

BTN raises to 2.5bb: 2/(2 + 1.5) = 57%
BB continues with at least 43% range.

BTN raises to 3bb: 2.5/(2.5 + 1.5) = 63%
BB continues with at least 37% range.

BTN raises to 4bb: 3.5/(3.5 + 1.5) = 70%
BB continues with at least 30% range.

Those are always "at least" due to the fact that when BB continues with exactly that amount, it is a 0 EV bet for BTN, even if BTN just check/folds on all post-flop hands.

Good stuff, thanks

Originally Posted by Stacks

Regarding your BTN opening range, unless I messed up are you meaning to say you will only be opening roughly 37% of hands?

And defending from the BB with only ~23% of hands?

Because if that's the case, that's entirely too tight for HU. You need to be opening WAY more buttons as a default.

And if you are only defending 23% of hands from the BB, then any 3x button open is going to show a profit regardless of if they give up everytime they see the flop, as they would be risking 2.5bb to win 4, and thus only need folds 62.5% of the time.

I'm not all that good at HU (or well even poker), but I'd say at the start of a HU match, you'd be better off having an 80-100% BTN opening range. If it turns out the villain is folding his BB frequently, that's good. If not, then even with your weak range you still have position postflop and hopefully a skill advantage, and can begin to gather reads/stats quicker.

Good points, I'll definite start with a looser opening range early on