Preflop
The first round of betting that occurs after players receive their hole cards but before the flop is dealt.
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What Is Preflop?
Preflop decisions set the foundation for the entire hand, determining which players remain and roughly how strong their ranges are likely to be. Preflop strategy is heavily informed by position, stack depth, and opponent tendencies, and is generally the most standardized, well-solved part of no-limit hold'em strategy.
Examples
Preflop, he raised to 3x from the cutoff with A-J suited.
Every player folded preflop except the big blind, who checked their option.
Strategy Tips
Build solid, position-based preflop ranges as the foundation of your overall strategy, since good preflop decisions simplify postflop play. Adjust preflop ranges based on stack depth, tightening up when very short or very deep compared to standard 100 big blind play. Pay attention to opponents' preflop tendencies, such as who limps, 3-bets, or folds too often, to refine your own ranges against them. Avoid overvaluing speculative hands preflop without considering position and likely postflop playability.