BTN (Button)

6-Max BTN Position Overview

The Button is the last player to act preflop in a 6-max BTN range. This position gives you a major advantage because you can observe all other players before making a decision. Being on the Button allows you to open a wide range of hands, apply pressure on the blinds, and exploit positional weaknesses.

BTN ranges are generally wider than any other position and typically cover 35 to 45 percent of hands. This includes premium hands as well as speculative suited connectors and one-gappers. Effective Button play requires balancing value hands with hands that can realize equity postflop, making this position both flexible and highly profitable.

Recommended BTN Hands

Premium Pairs AA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT, 99
Medium Pairs 88, 77, 66, 55, 44
Broadway Cards AK suited/off, AQ suited/off, AJs, ATs, KQs, KJs, QJs
Suited Connectors JTs, T9s, 98s, 87s
Suited One-Gappers J9s, T8s, 97s, 86s
Occasional Weak Broadways KTs, QTs, J9s

This range allows you to take advantage of your position, making speculative hands more profitable and premium hands stronger. Suited connectors and one-gappers can create straights and flushes, while broadways offer opportunities for top pair or two pair postflop.

BTN 6-Max Range Table

Hand Type Hands to Open BTN
Pocket Aces AA
Pocket Kings KK
Pocket Queens QQ
Pocket Jacks JJ
Pocket Tens TT
Pocket Nines 99
Pocket Eights 88
Pocket Sevens 77
Pocket Sixes 66
Pocket Fives 55
Pocket Fours 44
Ace-King Suited AKs
Ace-King Offsuit AKo
Ace-Queen Suited AQs
Ace-Queen Offsuit AQo
Ace-Jack Suited AJs
Ace-Ten Suited ATs
King-Queen Suited KQs
King-Jack Suited KJs
Queen-Jack Suited QJs
Jack-Ten Suited JTs
Ten-Nine Suited T9s
Nine-Eight Suited 98s
Eight-Seven Suited 87s
Jack-Nine Suited J9s
Ten-Eight Suited T8s
Nine-Seven Suited 97s
Eight-Six Suited 86s
King-Ten Suited KTs
Queen-Ten Suited QTs

Tip Color-code premium hands like AA, KK, QQ, AKs in green, strong secondary hands like JJ, TT, AQ, AJs, KQs in yellow, and speculative suited connectors like JTs, T9s, 98s, 87s, J9s, T8s, 97s, 86s in blue. Grey out all other hands outside this range.

Why BTN is the Most Advantageous Position

BTN acts last preflop allowing you to see all opponents’ actions before committing chips
You can steal blinds effectively and control pot size
Speculative hands gain value because position gives control postflop
BTN enables aggressive or cautious play depending on blind tendencies
It allows exploiting weak or predictable players in the blinds

Adjustments for Table Dynamics

If blinds are aggressive tighten your opening range to avoid costly 3-bets
If blinds are passive widen your range to exploit weak defenses
Deep stacks favor speculative hands suited connectors and one-gappers
Short stacks should focus mainly on premium hands and high-card broadways
Adjust your opening frequency based on blind tendencies and table dynamics to maximize profit

Key Takeaways for 6-Max BTN

BTN is the most profitable preflop position in 6-max games
Use a wide but balanced range to pressure opponents and extract value
Premium hands are played aggressively while speculative hands exploit position
Color-coded charts help memorize BTN ranges and ensure consistent preflop decisions
Postflop flexibility is key to leveraging positional advantage
Dynamic adjustments increase long-term profitability
Mastering the BTN enables confident preflop decisions and strong postflop play

Understanding and memorizing the 6-max BTN range allows you to control the table, exploit weaker players, and maximize your long-term edge in 6-max Texas Hold’em. This position combines flexibility, pressure, and opportunity for consistent profitable play.