Small blind (SB) preflop range
From small blind in a 6-max game, raise about 33.9% of hands , 450 of the 1,326 possible combinations, when the action folds to you. The small blind is the awkward seat: last to act before the flop, first to act on every street after it.
SB opening range · Cash · 100bb
33.9% of hands·450 combos
Hands to raise when the action folds to SB at 100 big blinds.
SB facing a 3-bet · Cash · 100bb
7.8% of hands·103 combos
How to continue after opening from SB and getting raised, at 100 big blinds.
SB opening range · Tournament · 40bb
30.0% of hands·398 combos
Hands to raise when the action folds to SB at 40 big blinds.
SB facing a 3-bet · Tournament · 40bb
5.7% of hands·76 combos
How to continue after opening from SB and getting raised, at 40 big blinds.
Playing from small blind
Only the big blind remains, so the range is wide, but every pot played from here is played out of position, which is expensive. The usual approach is to raise or fold rather than to complete the blind, because limping invites a raise you cannot comfortably answer.
Methodology
These are reference charts, not solver output. They approximate published GTO-adjacent 6-max strategies and are rounded to ranges that are practical to memorise. Cash charts assume 100 big blinds, tournament charts 40. Treat them as a starting framework, not as a solved answer for a specific opponent.
Questions about the small blind range
How many hands should I open from small blind?
About 33.9% of hands, roughly 450 of the 1,326 possible combinations, in a six-handed cash game at 100 big blinds.
Does the small blind range change in a tournament?
Yes. At 40 big blinds there is less money behind, so hands that rely on winning a large pot later, small pairs and speculative suited hands, lose value, while fold equity becomes cheaper to buy. The tournament chart on this page reflects that.
Can I print this chart?
Yes. Use your browser’s print command; the page prints on a clean white background with the navigation and controls removed.
Other positions
Hear when the small blind drills open
The chart stays readable and printable. The trainer that deals small blind spots at both stack depths and grades them against this exact range opens without a card while Learn GTO is in early access.
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