Flopzilla: understand how a range really connects with the board

At the table, it is easy to think in individual hands: “they could have ace-king”, “perhaps they have a pair”. Flopzilla helps broaden that view. You examine a group of hands and see how the flop changes its composition.

This is particularly useful when you want to explain decisions in your own words. Instead of remembering only that a flop is “bet frequently”, identify the strong hands, medium-strength hands and draws that support the way you want to play it.

Here is an original exercise to repeat away from the tables. Enter a deliberately small range: 77+, ATs+, KQs, AJo+, KQo, with every combination at the same frequency. It is designed to help you read the tool, rather than represent an optimal preflop range.

To extend the exercise, add a turn. On the second flop, compare a low non-spade with the queen of spades, for example. Separate hands that were already strong from those that improve: this is the foundation of reading ranges across streets.

“AK” is not just one possible hand. Before any board cards are known, ace-king has sixteen combinations: four suited and twelve offsuit. On A♠ 7♦ 2♣, the ace of spades is already on the flop, leaving only twelve combinations.

Illustrative counts on A♠ 7♦ 2♣, with no other known cards and every original combination included at 100%.

Count again after adding your own hand. This is an excellent way to understand blockers: instead of simply saying “I have an ace”, you see exactly which opposing combinations are no longer possible.

Equity is the average share of the pot belonging to a hand or range if the studied scenario reaches showdown. When considering a bet or call, you also need to account for the price, position and future actions.

1. 01

   Reconstruct the spot

   Record the positions, effective stack and actions so far. Your range must fit that sequence, rather than just the two cards revealed at the end.

2. 02

   Set out two assumptions

   Build an initial opposing range, then a plausible variation: more draws, fewer weak hands or a tighter selection of value hands.

3. 03

   Compare what moves the result

   Find the hand categories responsible for the change. This teaches you which information would be most useful for refining your read.

4. 04

   Write a poker conclusion

   For example: “My bluff-catcher does well against missed draws, but much less well against a range made up almost entirely of value hands.” That sentence is more useful than memorising a percentage on its own.

For a player willing to spend time reading ranges, the price compares very favourably with the study possibilities. The software works equally well for short ten-minute exercises and more detailed reviews.

Still getting familiar with these concepts? Start with this guide’s examples and the publisher’s videos to see whether this way of learning suits you.

Flopzilla is particularly enjoyable for exploring an assumption while keeping the underlying hands in view. You can retain that approach while using a solver to study strategy or another environment to vary your exercises.