Balancing the Poker Range

The term 'balancing the poker range' simply means changing the way a player chooses to place bets, raise and go all-in. When players become predictable, opponents can pick up on this and go in for the kill every single time.

Defining an Unbalanced Range

When a player is holding a good poker hand, it is only natural that this player will want to raise their opponents when they get the opportunity. Then, if an opponent also has a good hand, they may end up raising even more. This may make the player second-guess their initial decision and fall back to checking on the flop. Players who constantly waiver when it comes to the decision making process are known to have an unbalanced range, and opponents will pick up on this and exploit it.

Cons of an Unbalanced Range

As an example, consider a player who is holding a pair of Aces pre-flop. This is a very strong hand and deserves a raise right out of the gate. After the flop, especially if a low card is turned over, another opponent may raise even more. When this occurs, the player may decide that the second player has a better hand and choose to check. Then, when the opponent checks or raises only a small amount after the turn, the player feels confident again and raises significantly. This imbalance in the way the player raises and checks leaves him or her open for exploitation.

The best way to balance a poker range is to make a decision based upon all of the available factors and stick with it throughout the hand. Players should only significantly change their betting patterns if the hand they are holding is well worth it.