PREFLOP CHART · ~36% RFI · ~0% limp
SB opening range — 6-max cash 100bb
At 100bb in 6-max cash, the modern solver solution for the small blind is roughly 36% raise-only, with limping nearly extinct. The historical SB limp/raise split came from older simulations that didn't account for the BB's optimal squeeze frequency — once the BB started 3-betting limps at solver-correct frequencies, limping became unprofitable for nearly every hand SB wants to play. The result: you fold or raise, and raise larger (3x is common) to compensate for being out of position against a wide BB defending range.
Range — the hands you play
- All pocket pairs (22 – AA)
- All suited aces (A2s – AKs)
- All suited kings down to K6s
- All suited queens down to Q9s
- Suited connectors and one-gappers down to 54s, 64s
- Broadway offsuit: AKo, AQo, AJo, ATo, KQo, KJo, KTo, QJo, QTo
- Some weak offsuit aces (A9o, A8o, A7o) at mixed frequency
Key insights
- SB is the most positionally disadvantaged opening seat — every other open seat acts after you for the rest of the hand. You compensate by sizing up.
- BB will 3-bet you ~14% of the time. Your 4-bet defense range is very tight: QQ+, AKs, and a small AKo / A5s bluff slice.
- Limping with anything is usually a mistake. The BB checks ~70%, raises ~30%, and your equity realization on a check is poor with most hands you'd limp.
Frequently asked
Why don't solvers limp from SB anymore?
Modern solvers, given the BB's optimal squeeze frequency, find that limping leaks too much EV. The hands you'd want to limp (small pairs, suited connectors) get squeezed off the pot too often, and when they do see a flop they realize equity poorly out of position. Raising-only is simpler and gives up nothing at equilibrium.
How much does SB raise — 2.5x or 3x?
3x or larger is standard. The mathematical reason: you need to make the BB indifferent to a wide defending range, and a 2.5x sizing gives BB very attractive pot odds against a SB range that's mostly hot-and-cold equity against random hands.