5 · THINK IN RANGES · LESSON 21 OF 29 · 7 min
Update the range each street
Every check, bet, call, and raise gives you some information. Do not delete a hand just because one action seems unusual; players vary. Shift the weight toward hands that fit the whole line and keep enough uncertainty to avoid false confidence.
A player who raises early, bets a dry flop, and bets a large river usually has a different mix of hands than one who checks both streets.
WORK THROUGH A REAL SPOT
Update the range as the hand develops
You opened on the button with A♠K♦. Maya called from the small blind. The board runs A♦7♣2♥, 9♣, 4♦. Maya checks the flop, turn, and river. Here is a practical way to read her line.
- Before the flop: Keep several groups in mind: pairs, some ace-high hands, broadways, and suited connected hands. Which ones Maya actually calls depends on her habits.
- On A♦7♣2♥: Sort those groups into aces, sets or two pair, weaker pairs, draws, and unpaired hands. This dry flop offers few immediate draws. Your A♠ and the A♦ on the board leave only two aces for Maya to hold, reducing combinations with an ace.
- After the checks: Shift some weight away from hands that usually bet for value, but leave room for a trap or a cautious player. The 9♣ can add club draws; the 4♦ can change some straight possibilities. Recheck each group against each new card.
- Before betting: Name worse hands that might call and better hands that might fold. Your estimated showdown equity answers neither of those questions by itself. A check is evidence, not proof of weakness.
At the prepared river decision, make your own short list first. Then compare it with the trainer’s broad model. You can disagree with the model when you have a reason.
A single bet size is not proof of strength or weakness. Compare it with the player's overall pattern.
MAKE THE CALL
What should a large river bet do to your estimate of an opponent's hands?
Start with a prepared decision, then play the rest of the hand with practice chips. Turn on guidance to see the trainer's reasoning.