5 
- What Is PFR?
- How to Calculate PFR
- Aggressive vs Passive Play
- Aggressive Players (High PFR)
- Passive Players (Low PFR)
- Factors That Influence PFR in Poker
- Table Position
- Stack Size
- Table Dynamics
- How to Adjust Your Own PFR
- Too High PFR
- Too Low PFR
- Balancing PFR and VPIP
- Adapting to an Opponent’s PFR
- Versus Tight Players
- Versus Loose Players
- Versus Aggressive Players
- Top 3 Poker Tools in 2025
- Final Thoughts
PFR is one of the key statistics in online poker. It clearly illustrates a player’s tendencies, playing style, and level of aggression at the table (both in cash games and MTTs). In today’s guide, we’ll break down what PFR means and how this metric influences decision-making.
What Is PFR?
PFR (Preflop Raise) measures how often a player raises before the flop. It’s typically analyzed alongside another crucial stat — VPIP (Voluntarily Put Money in Pot), which tracks how often a player voluntarily invests chips into the pot via a call or raise.
The VPIP/PFR ratio helps classify an opponent’s playing style:
- TAGs (Tight-Aggressive): Low VPIP and relatively high PFR. They play few hands but enter the pot with aggression.
- LAGs (Loose-Aggressive): High VPIP and high PFR — they play many hands and often raise.
- Tight-Passive players: Low VPIP and PFR, playing few hands and mainly calling.
- Loose-Passive players: High VPIP but low PFR — they play many hands but rarely show aggression.
How to Calculate PFR
This stat helps assess how active you are preflop:
PFR (%) = (Number of Preflop Raises / Total Hands Played) × 100%
The ideal PFR depends on your playing style. In cash games, a typical range is 15–20%. Aggressive players often exceed 20%, while tight players may fall below 10–12%.
Aggressive vs Passive Play
Let’s look at what different PFR levels reveal about a player’s style.
Aggressive Players (High PFR)
Players with a high PFR (typically over 20%) are considered Loose-Aggressive (LAG). They raise with a wide range of hands to put pressure on opponents, forcing difficult decisions.
Example: A player with a 30% PFR may raise with hands like 22+, 65s, A2s, A9o, K9s — even marginal ones like 83s or 42s to steal blinds or isolate weak players.
Tactics: LAGs often use 3-bets and postflop aggression to control pots and exploit passive opponents who call too much.
Passive Players (Low PFR)
Players with a low PFR (around 5–10%) are usually Tight-Passive, raising only with premium hands like AA, KK, QQ, or AK. They’re selective with starting hands and more likely to call than raise.
Example: A player with 7% PFR will raise with AA, KK, AKs, AKo, and maybe AQ. Everything else gets folded or called.
Tactics: Tight players rely on hand strength and avoid risk. They rarely pressure opponents without a strong hand and prefer cautious, low-variance strategies.
Factors That Influence PFR in Poker
Several elements affect your PFR:
Table Position
Position is a major factor in PFR stats. Players raise more from late positions (CO, BTN) due to better information. From early positions, they play tighter and raise less.
- Early Position (EP): Narrow range, low PFR (5–12%), usually premium hands like AA, KK, AK, AQ.
- Middle Position (MP): Slightly wider range, PFR around 12–20%, adds hands like 77, 88, KQ.
- Late Position (LP): Widest range, PFR ~20–30% or more — suited connectors, small pairs, weak Broadways (e.g., QJo).
Stack Size
Deep-stacked players are more aggressive preflop, as they can afford to take risks. Short stacks (under 20 BBs) tend to tighten up and lower their PFR to conserve chips.
Table Dynamics
The type of players at your table also impacts PFR. Against tight opponents, you can raise more to steal blinds. Against loose-aggressive players, you may tighten up to avoid overplaying hands against tough ranges.
How to Adjust Your Own PFR
Understanding and adjusting your PFR is essential for long-term success. Here are key tips:
Too High PFR
If your PFR is too high, you may be playing too many weak hands and getting caught postflop or facing strong 3-bets. Tighten your range, especially from early position.
Example: If you often raise with 64s, 83o, or 94s, it’s time to limit yourself to hands with stronger postflop potential — suited connectors, pocket pairs, and strong Broadways.
Too Low PFR
If your PFR is too low, you’re likely playing too passively, letting opponents steal blinds and control the action. You should expand your raising range, especially from late positions.
Example: Folding hands like KQ, 77, or 65s on the button is missing profitable opportunities. Widen your range while avoiding weak hands in early position.
Balancing PFR and VPIP
A balanced VPIP/PFR ratio is critical. Strong players raise with their best hands and call with speculative ones, staying unpredictable.
Ideal ratio: PFR should be around 70–80% of your VPIP. For example, with a 25% VPIP, aim for an 18–20% PFR.
If the gap is too small, you may be calling too much — a sign of passive play vulnerable to aggressive opponents.
Adapting to an Opponent’s PFR
Reading your opponent’s PFR helps guide your response — whether to call, raise, or fold preflop.
Versus Tight Players
These players usually raise 5–10% of hands — strong pairs and top Broadways. You can call with small pairs or suited connectors, hoping to hit a strong postflop hand.
Tips: Play hands with strong postflop potential. If you miss the flop, be ready to fold. Avoid calling with weak hands out of position.
Versus Loose Players
If a loose player with 25% PFR raises from late position, consider 3-betting with hands like AJs or 88 to exploit their wide range.
Tips: Be selective. Against wide ranges, hands like suited connectors or mid/high pairs can be effective for calling or 3-betting.
Versus Aggressive Players
Aggressive players with high PFR, especially from late position, love to raise frequently.
Example: If a player with 30% PFR raises and you hold AKo or 99, consider 3-betting instead of calling to punish their aggression.
Tips: Tighten your calling range and look to 3-bet strong hands that play well postflop.
Top 3 Poker Tools in 2025
As you’ve seen, a high PFR indicates aggression, a low one signals tight-passive play. Monitoring this stat helps identify opponent strategies. But to take your game even further, consider using specialized tools. In 2025, the best options are HisHands, Statname, and MagicSeat — all of which can elevate your approach to tracking and improving PFR.
- HisHands: A premium hand history mining service with up to 99% coverage. It provides massive datasets to analyze opponent tendencies and optimize your preflop aggression where it’s most effective.
- Statname: An online platform offering detailed cash game stats for Hold’em and Omaha across top sites. Track key metrics like PFR, 3-bet, and c-bet for yourself and your opponents to make smarter decisions.
- MagicSeat: An auto-seating script that helps you quickly find and sit at the most profitable tables. This tool reduces table selection time and boosts winrate by targeting soft opponents.
Integrating these tools enhances your understanding of game dynamics, helps fine-tune your PFR, and increases your overall profitability.
Final Thoughts
PFR is a vital stat that helps you decode opponents’ strategies and refine your own. Mastering how to adjust your PFR based on position, stack size, and opponent tendencies is key to increasing your edge at the tables. Good luck!
