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PFR (Preflop Raise)

The percentage of hands a player raises preflop; combined with VPIP reveals playing style.

James Carter
James CarterVerified

iGaming Journalist & Crypto Casino Analyst

What Is PFR (Preflop Raise)?

PFR is a core tracking statistic in online poker HUDs, showing how often a player raises before the flop out of all hands dealt. Comparing PFR to VPIP reveals a player's overall style: a PFR close to VPIP indicates an aggressive player who rarely limps, while a much lower PFR than VPIP suggests a more passive, limp-heavy approach. Typical winning regulars in six-max games often show a PFR in the high teens to low twenties.

Examples

1

A player with 24% VPIP and 22% PFR is playing a tight-aggressive style with very little limping.

2

His unusually low PFR relative to VPIP flagged him as a loose-passive limper worth targeting with isolation raises.

Strategy Tips

Use PFR alongside VPIP to quickly categorize opponents into tight, loose, aggressive, or passive tendencies. A large gap between VPIP and PFR usually signals a limping, exploitable player who can be isolated profitably. Be cautious drawing conclusions from small sample sizes, since PFR needs a meaningful number of hands to stabilize. Track your own PFR against your win rate over time to fine-tune your preflop raising frequency.

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