If you’re serious about winning poker, then you need to have a good understanding of the statistics and how to use them. One of the most important stats in poker is PFR, which measures how often a player raises preflop. This is one of the key stats to look at when you’re analyzing your opponents and can tell you a lot about their play style and tendencies. This article will explain what PFR is and how to interpret it so you can make more informed decisions at the poker table.
PFR stands for “pre-flop raise percentage” and it’s a measure of how aggressive a player is in the pre-flop phase of the hand. A player’s PFR is calculated by dividing their number of raises by the total number of hands they have played. A player’s PFR can be influenced by the number of hands they play, their position and their skill level. In general, a higher PFR is better, as it shows that a player is more willing to enter pots with stronger hands.
Players’ PFR can be influenced by how many hands they call, so it’s important to look at their VPIP along with their PFR. Most poker tracking software displays VPIP and PFR side by side, and the gap between a player’s VPIP and PFR indicates whether they are aggressive or passive.
Passive players will usually have a large gap between their VPIP and PFR, meaning that they are calling most of the time and only raising when they have the strongest hands. On the other hand, an aggressive player will have a smaller gap between their VPIP and PFR and will be raising more often.
If a player’s PFR is greater than their VPIP, it means that they are raising more often before the flop. This is a sign of an aggressive player and can be a great way to identify opponents who you should target.
It is also important to note that the PFR of a player can be influenced by how they play in different game formats. A player’s PFR will usually be lower when they play in a full ring game than when they play 6-max. This is because the number of players in a full ring game necessitates a tighter playing style.
Knowing what PFR is and how to use it can help you improve your game by making more informed decisions at the poker table. By understanding your opponent’s PFR, you can learn their play-style and exploit them accordingly. With some practice, you can even construct their ranges in your head based on their PFR, allowing you to win more hands. This will take some time and effort, but it is well worth the investment in the long run. Eventually, you will be able to use PFR as an effective tool against your opposition and increase your profits. Good luck!