A matrix cell is shorthand for several exact two-card combinations. See those cards first, then learn how the 13×13 grid compresses them into 169 hand classes.
pocket pairsuited handoffsuit handhand notation
What you will be able to do
See the 16 possible suit combinations represented by AK.
Understand why AKs has 4 combinations, AKo has 12 and a pair has 6.
Use that understanding to read pair, suited and offsuit regions of the matrix.
Review status: draft, ready for editorial review
RANGE WORKBENCH
Find a hand in the 13 × 13 grid
AK can be dealt in 16 different suit combinations: four suited combinations, written AKs, and twelve offsuit combinations, written AKo. A pocket pair such as AA has six possible suit combinations. The matrix groups each hand class into one cell.
Start with the actual cards
AK can be dealt in 16 different suit combinations
Each of the four aces can be paired with each of the four kings. That gives 4 × 4 = 16 possible two-card combinations. Poker players call each possible pairing a combo.
AK16 combinations
A♠K♠
A♠K♥
A♠K♦
A♠K♣
A♥K♠
A♥K♥
A♥K♦
A♥K♣
A♦K♠
A♦K♥
A♦K♦
A♦K♣
A♣K♠
A♣K♥
A♣K♦
A♣K♣
4
AKs · suited
Four combinations share a suit. The “s” means suited.
A♠K♠
A♥K♥
A♦K♦
A♣K♣
12
AKo · offsuit
Twelve combinations use different suits. The “o” means offsuit.
A♠K♥
A♠K♦
A♠K♣
A♥K♠
A♥K♦
A♥K♣
A♦K♠
A♦K♥
A♦K♣
A♣K♠
A♣K♥
A♣K♦
What about a pair?
AA = 6 combinations
You cannot use the same ace twice. Choosing two different suits from four produces six possible pairs.
A♠A♥
A♠A♦
A♠A♣
A♥A♦
A♥A♣
A♦A♣
Now compress them into a matrix
One cell groups one starting-hand class
AKs 4AKo 12AA 6
The 13×13 range matrix gives each of the 169 hand classes one cell, instead of writing every suit combination every time.
ONE THING TO REMEMBER
A matrix cell is a hand class, not one exact two-card holding. Different classes contain different numbers of combinations.
TRY IT
This is a 2-question test. Start when you are ready.
