🃏 Small Blind (SB) Strategy in 6-max SB range
🔍 Key Features of the SB Position
Advantages: Ability to steal blinds with a wider range of hands, especially against weak Big Blind players.
Disadvantages: Playing out of position against the Big Blind, making postflop play more difficult.
Recommendations: Use a wider opening range, but be prepared for aggression from the Big Blind.
📊 Opening Range (RFI) from the SB
A balanced opening range from the SB generally includes 39–47% of hands.
Recommended Hands to Open:
- Premium Hands: AA, KK, QQ, AKs, AKo
- Medium Pairs: JJ, TT, 99, 88
- Suited Connectors: JTs, T9s, 98s
- Suited One-Gappers: KQs, QJs, KJs
Note: If the Big Blind tends to fold frequently, you can expand your opening range to include weaker hands.
📏 Opening Bet Size
Recommendation: Use a raise size of 3x to 4x the big blind when opening from the SB.
Reason: The Big Blind has already invested money in the pot and has positional advantage, so increasing your raise size reduces their chance of profitable calls.
🧠 Defending Strategy from the SB
- Against aggressive Big Blind players: Tighten your defending range and open only strong hands.
- Against passive Big Blind players: Use a wider defending range, including weaker hands.
- Against 3-betting opponents: Narrow your defending range and be prepared to fold to aggression.
🎯 Tips for Playing from the SB
- Aggression: Use aggression to defend your blind and apply pressure on opponents.
- Adaptation: Regularly observe the Big Blind’s playing style and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Postflop Play: Be prepared for difficult postflop situations when out of position against the Big Blind.
- Bet Size: Adjust your bet size depending on your opponent’s stack and their tendency to play aggressively.
📈 Example Opening Range from the SB
| Hand Type | Opening Strategy |
|---|---|
| AA, KK | Premium Always open |
| QQ, JJ | Strong Open |
| TT, 99 | Medium Open |
| 88, 77 | Medium Open |
| AKs, AKo | Strong Open |
| AQs, AQo | Strong Open |
| AJs, ATs | Medium Open |
| KQs, KJs | Medium Open |
| QJs, JTs | Suited Open |
| T9s, 98s | Suited Open |
Note: This range can be adapted depending on the opponent’s stack size and aggression tendencies.