PREFLOP CHART · ~38% flat · ~14% 3-bet · ~52% total defense
BB calling range vs BTN open — 100bb cash
The big blind defends the widest range in poker. Against a BTN min-open at 100bb, GTO solvers find that BB defends about 52% of hands total — 14% by 3-betting and the remaining 38% by flat-calling. The math is simple: you're getting roughly 3.5-to-1 odds on the call (1bb to win 3.5bb), so even hands with only 22% raw equity vs BTN's opening range are mathematically required to defend.
Range — the hands you play
- Suited cards down to 32s, 42s (any two suited)
- Connected offsuit: T9o, 98o, 87o, J9o
- Most weak Ax offsuit (A2o – A8o)
- Most weak Kx offsuit (K7o – K9o)
Key insights
- Don't fold 'too much trash'. The pot odds dictate calling anything with reasonable suited connectivity or any-card defense.
- Flat any pair below TT (set-mine), most suited aces (3-bet only the wheel suiteds), and any reasonably-coordinated offsuit hand.
- Avoid the trap of overfolding — BB is a leak position for most live players who fold 70%+ instead of 48%.
Frequently asked
How can it be right to call 32s?
Pot odds. You're getting roughly 30% equity needed (1 / (1 + 3.5/1.5)) and 32s has ~30% raw equity vs BTN's opening range. Add the postflop equity realization edge of being in a small pot with reasonable suitedness, and 32s is a marginal call rather than a fold.
Should I defend even wider in live games?
Slightly — live BTN players over-open and play poorly postflop, both of which help BB defense EV. But the equilibrium baseline (~52%) is already wide enough that the live adjustment is small (a few extra percentage points).