HEADS-UP POKER RANGES
Heads-Up Poker Ranges: Preflop Decisions When Every Hand Matters
Learn the preflop structure of heads-up poker ranges, from button opens to big-blind defense, with clear assumptions for stack depth and sizing.
Quick answer
Heads-up poker ranges are wide because every hand starts with only two players. The button is also the small blind and acts first preflop, while the big blind has position after the flop, so opening, defending, and 3-betting need separate plans.
- Players
- One opponent in every hand
- Button
- Small blind and first preflop
- Big blind
- Defends with postflop position
- Main risk
- Using six-max assumptions
Heads-up play changes the baseline completely. You cannot wait for premium hands at the same frequency as a full table, and every opening or defending decision happens against one opponent's range rather than a field.
Start with the button and big blind roles
The button posts the small blind, acts first before the flop, and has position after the flop. The big blind acts second before the flop but has position after the flop. Those competing advantages shape both ranges and explain why heads-up charts look much wider than full-ring charts.
Use the actual button open or limp strategy as the starting assumption. A raise-only model and a strategy that mixes limps will give different big-blind responses, even with the same hand.
Adjust for stack depth and opponent response
Stack depth changes the value of speculative hands and the cost of 3-bets. Shallow stacks can make decisions more commitment-oriented, while deeper stacks leave more room for postflop realization and pressure.
Heads-up strategy is also sensitive to the opponent's response. A player who folds too often to button opens creates a different adjustment from a player who defends aggressively, so use a sound baseline before adding exploits.
- Separate button open, limp, and raise responses
- Keep big-blind defense tied to the exact size
- Study 3-bet pots as a separate action family
Practice wide ranges without losing structure
Wide does not mean random. Learn the position, action, and stack assumptions, then test individual hands so you can recognize which hands are clear raises, calls, folds, or mixed actions.
Because heads-up decisions repeat so often, short daily recall sessions can have a large effect. RePoker helps turn those range boundaries into timed decisions and brings uncertain spots back for review.
Frequently asked questions
Why are heads-up poker ranges so wide?
There are only two players, so folding too many hands gives the opponent the pot too often. The exact width still depends on position, sizing, stack depth, and the strategy being used.
Is the button always the small blind in heads-up poker?
Yes. In heads-up play the button posts the small blind, acts first preflop, and acts last on later streets. The big blind posts the big blind, acts second preflop, and has position after the flop.
Can I use a 6-max chart for heads-up poker?
No. The number of players and position structure are different, so a six-max chart is not a suitable heads-up baseline. Use a heads-up-specific chart and label its stack and sizing assumptions.