Lesson overview
Polarized vs Merged Ranges
Two range shapes, two completely different game plans
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Inside the full lesson
Why do solvers 3-bet AA + A5s, but flat KQs and JJ?
In the full lesson, you work through this scenario with interactive examples.
You'd think a strong-hand strategy means raising your strongest hands. Wrong. Solvers split your range into two shapes — polarized (top + air) and merged (top + medium) — and use them in completely different spots. Pick the wrong shape and you're leaving 1-2 BB/100 on the table.
What you’ll learn
- The mechanical definition of polarized vs merged (no hand-waving)
- When to 3-bet polarized (vs LP openers) vs merged (vs UTG)
- How range shape determines your bluff frequency on every street
From the full lesson
The mechanical definition
Referenced activities and other examples are available in the full lesson after sign-in.
Polarized range — the strongest hands in your overall range PLUS the weakest hands you can still credibly bluff. Medium hands are excluded (they go to a flat/check action instead).
Example 3-bet polarized range vs a CO open at 100bb:
- Value: QQ+, AK
- Bluffs: A5s, A4s, K9s, KTs (low-equity hands with blocker effects)
- Excluded (these flat): JJ, TT, AQ, KQs, KJs
From the full lesson
When to pick which (the decision tree)
Referenced activities and other examples are available in the full lesson after sign-in.
Step 1 — read villain's opening range:
- Wide LP open (CO/BTN, 25%+): villain folds a lot to 3-bets. Polarized wins.
- Tight EP open (UTG, 12%): villain rarely folds. Merged wins.
Step 2 — read villain's 4-bet tendency:
- Villain 4-bets light (>10% of 3-bets faced): polarized still works (your bluffs fold to 4-bets and your value gets it in).
- Villain rarely 4-bets but calls a lot: merged is even stronger (you isolate with dominant hands and no bluffs to fold out).
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