What is the PFR in Poker

Introduction

PFR is among the most valuable statistics in Poker cash games and tournaments. It clearly indicates a player's tendencies, playing style, and aggressive approach to the game.

In this article, we will explore what PFR means and how it impacts the decisions you make at the table.

What is PFR in Poker?

PFR (Preflop Raise) is a statistical measure that tells us how often a player raises their hand before the community cards (flop) are dealt.

PFR is often combined with another statistic, VPIP (Voluntarily Put Money in Pot), which measures how often a player voluntarily enters the pot by calling or raising.

The VPIP/PFR ratio is commonly used to categorize players:

• Tight-aggressive (TAG) players usually display a low VPIP and high PFR, meaning they participate in fewer hands but do so with strong raises.

• Loose-aggressive (LAG) players exhibit high VPIP and PFR stats, indicating they engage in many hands while frequently raising.

• Tight-passive players usually have a low VPIP and PFR, meaning they play few hands and mostly call.
• Loose-passive players often have a high VPIP but a low PFR, which shows they play a lot of hands but rarely raise.

Aggressive vs. Passive Play

1. Aggressive Players (High PFR):

Players with high PFR values (typically above 20%) are considered loose-aggressive (LAG). They raise frequently with a wide range of hands, putting pressure on their opponents. These players thrive on aggression, forcing others to make tough decisions by folding or committing more chips to the pot.

• Example: A player with a PFR of 30% might raise with hands like 22+, 65s, A2s, A9o, K9s, and even hands like 83s or 42s, trying to take advantage of weaker players at the table and steal blinds or pots.
• Tactics: LAG players often use 3-betting (re-raising) and post-flop aggression to control the pot. They can exploit passive players who call too often but rarely raise.

2. Passive Players (Low PFR):

Players with a low PFR (around 5-10%) are tight-passive and tend to raise only with premium hands, such as AA, KK, QQ, and AK. They are selective about their starting hands and often prefer to call rather than raise.

• Example: A player with a PFR of 7% will only raise with hands like AA, KK, AKs, AKo, and maybe AQ. The rest of their hands are typically folded or played passively by calling.
• Tactics: Tight players rely on strong hands and are not likely to pressure their opponents unless they have a hand that can withstand the post-flop action. They avoid risk and prefer to play conservatively.

Factors that Affect PFR

PFR can vary based on several factors, including:

• Position at the Table: A player's position greatly influences their PFR. Players are likely to have a higher PFR from late positions (for example - the cutoff or button) because they have more information on how the players in earlier positions act. From early positions, players are more conservative and have a lower PFR since they are more likely to face multiple opponents after them.

1. Early Position (EP): A tighter range with a lower PFR, typically between 5-12%. They might raise only with premium hands like AA, KK, AK, or AQ.
2. Middle Position (MP): Slightly broader range with a PFR of 12-20%, adding hands like 77, 88, and KQ.
3. Late Position (LP): A wider range with a PFR of 20-30% or higher, including hands like suited connectors, lower pocket pairs, and weaker Broadway hands (e.g., QJo).

• Stack Size: Players with deeper stacks are likelier to play more hands and raise more frequently, as they can withstand losing a pot. Shallow stacks (for example, under 20 big blinds) may reduce a player's PFR because they need to be more cautious in committing chips.
• Situation on the Table: The type of players at the table also affects PFR. A loose player may increase their PFR to steal more blinds in a table full of tight players. Conversely, if a table has many loose players, the aggressive player may tighten their range, lowering their PFR to avoid overcommitting with weaker hands.

How to Adjust Your Own PFR

Understanding and adjusting your own PFR is crucial for successful poker play:

1. Too High of a PFR: If your PFR is too high, it could indicate that you are playing too many hands and could overextend yourself. It may lead to losing pots when you don’t hit the board or facing re-raises from opponents with stronger hands. In this case, you should tighten your range, especially in the early position.

Example: If you raise with hands like 64s, 83o, or even 94s too often, it might be time to reassess and limit your raises to hands with better post-flop potential, such as suited connectors and pocket pairs.

2. Too Low of a PFR: You might play too passively if your PFR is too low. You are likely allowing opponents to steal blinds or to dictate the action. Increasing your PFR will make you more competitive, especially in a late position.

Example: If you are folding hands like KQ, 77, or suited connectors like 65s in late position, you are likely missing profitable opportunities to raise and take control of pots. You can widen your range of hands, but you should still avoid raising with very weak hands, especially from an early position.

3. Balancing PFR with Your VPIP: Balancing your PFR with your VPIP is essential. A well-balanced player raises strong hands while calling with weaker ones and stays active in pots to prevent becoming too predictable. Ideally, a 25% VPIP player should aim for a PFR of around 18-20%. If the gap between their PFR and VPIP is minimal, it might indicate they're frequently calling weak hands—leading to passive play that aggressive opponents can exploit.

How to Adjust to Opponents’ PFR

Knowing your opponent’s PFR is key in deciding whether to call, raise, or fold preflop.

1. Against Tight Players: These players raise less frequently and only with premium hands. If their PFR is low (e.g., 5-10%), you can be more confident when calling with hands that play well post-flop (e.g., suited connectors or small pairs).

Strategy: Play hands that can hit big post-flop hands, and be prepared to fold if the board doesn’t hit your hand. Avoid calling with weaker hands unless you have a position.

2. Against Loose Players: These players have a high PFR (e.g., 20% or higher) and raise with a wider range of hands, often trying to steal pots from the blinds or applying pressure.

Strategy: Be selective about your hands. You can often call or 3-bet with hands that perform well against a wide range, such as suited connectors or mid- to high-pocket pairs.

3. Against Aggressive Players (High PFR): When facing an opponent with a high PFR, especially from a late position, you need to adjust by tightening up your calling range and looking for spots to 3-bet (re-raise) with hands that have good post-flop potential.

Example: If a player raises with a PFR of 30% and you hold hands like AKo or 99, you might 3-bet rather than just call, looking to capitalize on their loose aggression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does PFR mean in Poker?

PFR (Preflop Raise) is the percentage of hands a player raises before the flop, serving as an important indicator of their aggression level. A high PFR signifies that a player is likely loose-aggressive, whereas a low PFR indicates they are tight-passive. Monitoring this statistic helps you understand an opponent's strategy and possible hand range, guiding your decisions on how best to compete against them.

How to calculate PFR?

PFR is determined by dividing the number of times a player raises before the flop by the total hands they voluntarily play. Typically presented as a percentage, for instance, a PFR of 20% indicates that the player raises in 20% of their pre-flop played hands.

What is a good PFR percentage?

A good PFR percentage varies based on your playing style and position. Generally, a PFR between 15-20% is considered solid for most players in cash games. Aggressive players may have a PFR above 20%, while tighter players might have a PFR of 10-12%.

Conclusion

PFR is one of the most insightful metrics available for analyzing player behaviour. Understanding the nuances of PFR allows you to tailor your poker strategy to maximum efficiency. By adjusting your PFR and responding to other players’ PFR, you can stay one step ahead of your opponents and increase your edge.