Range
A range is the set of all hands that a player could have in a given situation. Instead of guessing one exact hand, good players think about the group of hands that fit their opponent's actions.
The simple explanation
If a player raises from early position, his range is made of strong hands: pairs, big aces and suited broadways. As the hand goes on, you narrow the range with each action. You do not know the exact cards, but you can make a good guess about the group.
A closer look
Thinking in ranges is the basis of modern strategy. You think about your own range too, since an opponent will try to put you on a range. Ranges are described by percentages, such as 'the top 15 percent of hands', or by charts. The strength of ranges depends on the board: some boards help the preflop raiser's range, and others help the caller. Range versus range thinking leads to concepts such as range advantage, nut advantage and polarization.
A practical example
A tight player raises from under the gun. His range might be pairs of eights and higher, ace-queen and better, and suited broadways.
Full explanation
A range is the set of all hands that a player could have in a given situation. Instead of guessing one exact hand, good players think about the group of hands that fit their opponent’s actions.
A range is the set of hands a player could have.
You narrow it as the hand goes on.
Think about your own range as well.
It is the basis of modern strategy.