Are Your Poker Ranges Broken? GTO Wizard Explains How to Fix Them

When it comes to poker strategy, few concepts are as fundamental — and as misunderstood — as ranges. Knowing when to bet, raise, check, or call is the foundation of playing winning poker, yet even the most experienced players can often construct their ranges in ways that leak EV.

That’s exactly what poker coach Matt Hunt tackles in a new GTO Wizard training video, Are Your Ranges Broken? Here’s How To Fix Them. The lesson shines a light on the difference between aggressive and defensive ranges, and how players can construct each type properly across all streets.

Aggressive vs. Defensive Ranges

At the highest level, there are only two types of ranges. Aggressive ranges are any time you’re betting or raising, while defensive ranges are the hands you check or call with. Many players mistakenly think of defensive ranges as “passive,” but Hunt stresses that their true purpose is to protect your equity and prevent opponents from exploiting you with relentless aggression.

By contrast, aggressive ranges are all about maximizing the rate at which your value hands get paid. The balance comes from mixing strong hands with carefully selected bluffs, so opponents can’t easily know whether you’re strong or weak.

Breaking Down Aggressive Ranges

Hunt explains that all aggressive ranges fall into three categories:

• Polar ranges: Strong value hands plus bluffs, designed to get called by worse or force folds.
• Merged ranges: Common on early streets, mixing strong value, thin value, draws, and weaker bluffs.
• Linear ranges: Progressively stronger hands, often seen preflop or in spots where medium-strength hands can still bet for value.

Each has its own EV source, and understanding that is key to constructing them properly.

Understanding Defensive Ranges

While aggressive play often gets the spotlight, defensive ranges are just as crucial. The goal of a defensive range is to maximize the equity realization of hands that are too strong to fold, but not strong enough to play aggressively.

Hunt identifies two main types:

• Linear defense: One continuing range, like calling or folding to a bet.
• Condensed defense: Includes some of your strongest hands as calls rather than raises, protecting your range from being capped.

This approach prevents opponents from blasting you off pots on future streets.

Building Ranges Across the Streets

How ranges should be built changes depending on the street:

• Preflop: Polar ranges dominate 4-bet/5-bet spots with low SPR, while merged ranges are common in early opens.
• Flop/Turn: Static boards favor polar betting, while dynamic boards call for merged approaches. Defensive ranges must balance enough strong hands to avoid being exploited.
• River: Things simplify into clear value bets and bluffs on the aggressive side, and protected calls on the defensive side.

Make Use of the Range Builder Tool

One of Hunt’s strongest recommendations is to make full use of GTO Wizard’s Range Builder tool. He calls it “your best friend,” and for good reason. It helps players:

• Build and test ranges quickly.
• Figure out strategies more effectively, especially when paired with GTO Wizard AI.
• Develop a consistent study process rather than just memorizing charts.

Fixing Broken Ranges

If your current approach involves over-folding medium-strength hands, missing value with thinner bets, or failing to protect your calling ranges, then chances are your ranges are broken. Hunt’s framework — combined with GTO Wizard’s study tools — offers a way to patch those leaks and balance your play across every street.

Watch the Full Video on GTO Wizard

This article only scratches the surface of Hunt’s breakdown. For a full explanation of how to balance your ranges and avoid common pitfalls, check out Are Your Ranges Broken? Here’s How to Fix Them now on GTO Wizard.