{"id":239,"date":"2026-07-10T13:15:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T13:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freebetrange.com\/academy\/?page_id=239"},"modified":"2026-07-12T12:38:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T12:38:24","slug":"how-to-read-the-13x13-poker-hand-matrix-a-step-by-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/freebetrange.com\/academy\/how-to-read-the-13x13-poker-hand-matrix-a-step-by-step-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Read the 13×13 Poker Matrix: A Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re already somewhat familiar with poker, you\u2019ve definitely seen this 13\u00d713 grid \u2014 colored squares showing which hands to open, 3-bet, or call with. This is the range matrix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The matrix isn\u2019t just a pretty picture. It\u2019s the standard way to display ranges<\/strong> in poker. All solvers, all range tools, and all hand discussions in poker communities use it. Being able to read the matrix quickly and accurately is a fundamental skill \u2014 without it, studying strategy becomes slow and inconvenient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, we\u2019ll break down the matrix from scratch: what each area means, how colors work, what mixed strategies are, and how to use all of this in practice with FreeBetRange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Understanding the overall structure of the matrix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The matrix is a 13\u00d713 grid. There are 13 rows and 13 columns \u2014 one for each card rank: A, K, Q, J, T, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2<\/strong>, from left to right and top to bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Each cell represents a single hand<\/strong> (a starting hand type). There are 169 unique hand types in total \u2014 which is exactly the number of cells in the matrix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to understand that these 169 hand types are not equal in terms of the number of actual card combinations. For example, AA can be formed in 6 ways, while AKs only has 4 combinations. We\u2019ll cover this in more detail in Step 2. We also recommend checking out our separate article on poker combinatorics and counting combos<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to navigate it:<\/strong> think of the matrix like a multiplication table, but instead of numbers, you have card ranks. The intersection of row \u201cA\u201d and column \u201cK\u201d is the hand AK. Whether it\u2019s suited or offsuit depends on where that cell sits in the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: The three zones of the matrix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Diagonal \u2014 pocket pairs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The main diagonal of the matrix (from the top-left corner to the bottom-right) contains all 13 pocket pairs: AA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT, 99, 88, 77, 66, 55, 44, 33, 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The logic is simple: the intersection of row \u201cA\u201d and column \u201cA\u201d is AA. Row \u201cK\u201d and column \u201cK\u201d is KK, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each pair has 6 possible combinations (you can choose two cards of the same rank from four suits in 6 ways).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Upper triangle \u2014 suited hands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Everything above and to the right<\/strong> of the diagonal represents suited<\/strong> hands. These are marked with the letter s<\/strong>: AKs, QJs, T9s, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are suited hands on top? It\u2019s simply a convention: the row indicates the higher card, and the column indicates the lower card. If the row rank is higher than the column rank, the cell ends up in the upper triangle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each suited hand has 4 combinations (one for each suit).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Lower triangle \u2014 offsuit hands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Everything below and to the left<\/strong> of the diagonal represents offsuit<\/strong> hands. These are marked with the letter o<\/strong>: AKo, QJo, T9o.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each offsuit hand type has 12 combinations \u2014 three times as many as its suited counterpart. This matters when evaluating the actual \u201cweight\u201d of a range.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Step 3: Color coding \u2014 the core of the range<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The colors of the cells represent the strategy. Each color corresponds to an action recommended for that hand in a given situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no universal color scheme \u2014 different tools use different palettes, and that\u2019s completely normal. Before reading any range, always check the legend<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A typical color scheme looks like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Color<\/th>Action<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Red<\/td>Raise<\/td><\/tr>
Green<\/td>Call<\/td><\/tr>
Empty<\/td>Fold<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to read a range as a whole:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Look at the big picture: what percentage of cells are filled?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Identify which zones are covered: pairs? suited? offsuit? all three?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Determine the boundaries of the range: where does the colored area end?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Check for cells with multiple colors (mixed strategies)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Step 4: Examples of specific ranges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Example 1: BTN opening range (6-max cash)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Opening from the button is a wide range. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll see on the matrix:<\/p>\n\n\n\n