GTO Preflop Charts: The Complete 2026 Guide (And Why a Static PDF Isn't Enough)
Free GTO preflop charts for 6-max cash, MTT push/fold, and full ring — plus why fixed PDF charts give you outdated answers and what a live solver does instead.
Why Most Preflop Charts on Google Are Wrong For You
Search "GTO preflop charts" and you'll find dozens of free PDFs. The problem: most charts you'll find were solved against assumptions that don't match your pool.
A typical Upswing or PokerCoaching free chart was solved with:
- Standard rake (often 5% capped, but your pool may be 10% on micros)
- Generic opponent ranges (not your reg-heavy or fish-heavy field)
- Fixed stack depth (usually 100BB; you might be at 40BB MTT or 200BB cash)
- Reference bet sizes (2.5x open, 3x 3-bet — different from your live game)
The chart is "GTO" against the assumptions baked in. Once your real game deviates from those assumptions — different rake, different villain types, different sizings — the chart's recommendation drifts away from optimal.
That's the case for dynamic preflop charts (run a live solver against your actual conditions) instead of static PDFs. We'll cover both: the static charts that are fine for getting started, and the live-solver workflow when you're ready to calibrate.
Static Preflop Charts (Get Started Fast)
For new GTO students, a static chart is a fine starting point. Below are the standard 6-max cash charts at 100BB depth, against reasonable opponent assumptions.
6-Max Cash, 100BB — Open-Raise (RFI) Frequency
| Position | Open frequency | Roughly speaking |
|---|---|---|
| UTG | ~14% | All pairs 77+, AJ+, KQs, suited connectors 65s+ |
| MP | ~17% | Add 55-66, KJs, QJs, JTs, T9s, 76s |
| CO | ~25% | Add Axs, Kxs, lower SCs, Q9s+, J9s+ |
| BTN | ~45% | Most suited cards, broadways offsuit, 22-44 |
| SB (when folded to) | ~35% | Limp/raise mix; tighter than BTN |
Defending vs RFI (BB Defense, 100BB)
When facing an open from various positions:
| Open from | BB calls | BB 3-bets | BB folds |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTG | ~32% | ~6% | ~62% |
| MP | ~38% | ~7% | ~55% |
| CO | ~48% | ~10% | ~42% |
| BTN | ~58% | ~15% | ~27% |
What these mean in practice: You're defending more from BB than people assume — even against UTG opens, BB shouldn't fold more than ~62% of the time once pot odds are factored in. Most players drastically over-fold here.
MTT Push/Fold (Sub-15BB Stacks)
Below 15BB, preflop becomes mostly push-or-fold:
| Stack depth | Push range from BTN | Push range from SB |
|---|---|---|
| 15BB | ~32% (any pair, any A, KJ+, suited broadways) | ~38% |
| 10BB | ~42% (any pair, A2+, K7+, Q9+) | ~50% |
| 5BB | Any two cards roughly | Any two cards |
For deeper coverage, see our Push/Fold Complete Guide and Six-Max Preflop Charts.
What Static Charts Don't Tell You
Three things even good static charts hide:
1. The mix. A chart says "open A5s 100% from CO." A solver actually says "open A5s 70% / call SB 30% in some spots." Static charts collapse the mixed strategy into a binary.
2. The EV. When you stray from the chart, what's the actual cost? Static charts don't tell you. A live solver shows you that opening 76s from UTG is "off-chart by 0.05 BB/hand" — meaningful at high stakes, irrelevant at micros.
3. Calibration to your pool. Your villain pool might 3-bet 4% (vs the chart's 8% assumption). Your defending range against that tighter 3-bet should widen, but the chart can't see your pool.
The Live-Solver Approach
Instead of memorizing one fixed chart, run a solver against your actual game conditions. With DEEPFOLD-SOLVER:
- Set the parameters: stack depth, rake, your assumed opponent ranges
- Hit Solve — converges in ~8 seconds on RTX 5090 flop trees, slightly longer for full preflop trees
- Get the actual GTO open / 3-bet / 4-bet / fold frequencies for those conditions
Then drill the result with Drill Mode — random spots from a pre-solved library, 10 questions per session, accuracy tracking. The drill is what turns a chart into a habit.
Common Preflop Chart Mistakes
1. Using 100BB charts at 40BB stack depth. At 40BB, your opening range tightens, your 3-bet/fold ratio shifts, and stack-off thresholds drop. A 100BB chart will misadvise you on nearly every short-stack decision.
2. Memorizing without understanding why. "AT5 is a fold UTG" — fine. But why? (Answer: dominated by AJ+, weak postflop playability, low equity vs typical UTG calls.) Without the why, you can't generalize when the chart doesn't cover your spot.
3. Ignoring rake. Charts solved at 5% cap rake produce different recommendations than your home pool with 10% uncapped. Marginal hands like 65s, 87s become folds at high rake — major equity sources at low rake.
4. Assuming opponents play the chart. Your villain pool isn't running the same chart you are. Adjust your defending range based on observed tendencies, not the chart's assumed ranges.
How to Use Charts + Solver Together
Realistic workflow for an intermediate student:
- Memorize the basic 100BB 6-max chart (above) for default opens, BB defense, common 3-bet spots
- When a non-standard spot comes up (40BB MTT, 200BB cash, deep ICM), run the live solver against the actual conditions
- Drill regularly — 10-15 minutes/day with Drill Mode reinforces what charts can't (the muscle memory under time pressure)
- Review session deviations — when you know you mis-clicked or guessed, paste the hand into DEEPFOLD AI Coach for the explanation
FAQ
Are GTO preflop charts free?
Yes — many sites publish free 6-max charts at 100BB. Quality varies. Charts solved at high rake or with non-standard sizings give different answers than charts solved at low rake. Treat free charts as a starting point, not a final answer.
What's the best free preflop chart for beginners?
For 6-max cash 100BB, the chart above is a clean default. For MTT push/fold, see Push/Fold Complete Guide. For full ring, the open ranges are tighter — apply roughly 80% of 6-max EP range to UTG full ring.
Should I memorize charts or use a solver?
Memorize the core 6-max 100BB chart for default situations. Use a live solver (DEEPFOLD-SOLVER) when conditions deviate (different stack depth, ICM, specific opponent ranges). Drill both with DEEPFOLD-SOLVER's Drill Mode.
What's the difference between a "chart" and a "solver"?
A chart is a pre-computed snapshot of a solver's output for one set of conditions. A solver runs the actual computation against any conditions you specify. Charts are easier to memorize; solvers are infinitely flexible.
Are Upswing's preflop charts good?
They're fine starting charts for cash 100BB and MTT structures, solved against reasonable assumptions. The limitation is the same as all static charts: they don't calibrate to your specific pool, rake, or stack depth.
Why don't preflop charts agree with each other?
Different charts use different opponent range assumptions, different rake structures, different bet sizing trees, and different solver settings. Don't be alarmed by 1-2% disagreements between sources.
Next Steps
- Just starting? → Save the chart above, start with the BB defense frequencies — that's where most leaks hide
- Want a chart for your specific game? → Run a live solve at deepfold.co (3 free spots, no signup)
- Ready to drill? → DEEPFOLD-SOLVER's Drill Mode is included in DEEPFOLD PRO ($19/month)
🎯 Run your own preflop solve → DEEPFOLD-SOLVER free demo — three sample spots, no install.
📖 See also: Six-Max Preflop Charts · Push/Fold Complete Guide · What Is GTO? · GTO Wizard vs DEEPFOLD-SOLVER