PFR stands for “pre-flop raise,” and is an important poker stat that measures how often a player raises their hand before the flop. This stat is a good indicator of a player’s aggression, and can help you determine how to play against them. PFR is usually displayed in the corner of a poker table, alongside other basic poker statistics such as VPIP and ICM. In this article, we’ll explain what PFR is, how to calculate it, and how to use it to improve your profitability at the tables.
Pfr is a statistic that measures how many times a player raises their hand before the showdown (the reveal of the first community cards, known as the flop). It is a useful stat to keep track of because it reflects a player’s pre-flop aggression and can be used in conjunction with other poker stats to evaluate their playing style and identify any leaks that they may have. The higher a player’s PFR, the more aggressive they are.
The PFR is calculated by dividing the number of times that a player raises their hand before the showing of the flop by the total number of hands they have played. It should be noted that a player’s pfr does not include limping or calling, as these actions do not impact the pfr.
Some poker software allows players to track their own pfr, and some people prefer to use PFR in conjunction with other poker stats, such as VPIP, to get a more comprehensive understanding of a player’s tendencies. PFR, paired with VPIP, can give you a complete picture of the player’s overall game and how to exploit their weaknesses.
A player’s pfr can vary based on the game format and their skill level. In full-ring cash games, a PFR of 12-18% is considered standard. In six-max games and heads-up games, a higher PFR is usually expected. In tournaments, a player’s PFR can also vary depending on the stage of the event and the stack sizes of the other players at the table.
When evaluating your opponents’ pfr, it is important to remember that this statistic only gives you a glimpse into their pre-flop betting tendencies and does not include calls and limps, which also influence the VPIP statistic. However, a high gap between VPIP and PFR is usually indicative of inexperienced players who too often call preflop, making them easy to exploit with well-timed re-raises and traps.
A player with a low VPIP and a high PFR is a tight-aggressive player who will generally only call with premium hands and raise their hand when they have the best possible chance of winning. This type of player can be tough to play against, but can be very profitable if you are able to spot their leaks and adjust your own playing style accordingly. With practice, you will be able to create player ranges in your head based on their PFR and VPIP stats, which can help you improve your overall game.
