This article will provide a few tricks on how to use the “Scenarios” tool of PokerCoach to develop more realistic evaluations when ranges are far from the theory.

Dealing with limpers

We all know that limping is far from the optimal strategy. Having limpers at our table is often very profitable but PokerCoach won't always be able to put them on a proper range if we don't twist the reality a bit. Let’s look at some examples:

Versus a limp call

Villain limped from middle position and hero isolated him on the button. Most of the limpers would raise with the top of their range and limp call with their medium strength hands. Since isolating limpers is one of the best line in Poker to make money, hero would probably do it with a wide range.

PokerSnowie will put both players on very different ranges: the limper’s range will be too tight and the Big Blind’s range as well.

The best way to adapt both ranges to the reality is to seat the limper in the big blind.

Note that hero is opening to 4,5 BB. This will have the following effects:

- get the same size of the pot post flop.

- tightened up a bit Hero’s range but an isolation should be made with a tighter range than a button opening range

- capped villain range which is often true for a limper.

When another player gets involved

This time the big blind elected to 3bet. PokerSnowie will assume that the BB’s range is pretty tight while he could be 3betting wide to counter the isolation play.

Once again a good way to analyze the situation is to eliminate the limper and to open raise 0.5 BB larger from the button.

Note that hero's equity has gained 2BB and a 4bet is now a viable option.

Adapting ranges

Adjusting opening ranges

PokerSnowie assumes that villain is opening close to 16% from UTG. With JTs he advises to call 58% and 3bet the rest of the times.

If we suppose our opponent looser, we can move him to the hijack seat. Poker Coach will put him on a 22% opening range and we should 3bet him more often.

Now we suppose villain much tighter, we seat him at a full ring table to adapt PokerSnowie’s opening range to 10%. And it is no more profitable to defend JTs against his range.

Adjusting 3betting ranges

In that situation, PokerSnowie will assume the player on the button is 3betting with a 6.8% range. If we think he is 3betting with a wider range, we should seat ourselves in the cut off. If he is much wider, we should move ourselves to the small blind. On the opposite, if villain is a tight 3bettor, we should have players between us.

Adapting ranges and situations can be useful to analyze some positions in depth. But I would not advise spending too much time doing this. It is better to just learn the right play from PokerSnowie and adapt our actions from it. It’s also important to remember that we cannot take for granted that a player who is making mistakes pre flop, will then play GTO post flop.

We’d love to hear your feedback – so let us know how you adapt Pokersnowie’s analysis tools to your own game and learning.