# Linear Range

> Source: [Linear Range in the Smarter.Poker Glossary](https://smarter.poker/glossary/linear-range)

## Definition
A Linear Range, Also Called A Merged Range, Is A Betting Range Built From The Strongest Hands Downward With No Gap, Such As Every Pair From Aces Down To A Middle Pair. It Suits Spots Where Many Worse Hands Will Call. The Contrast Is A Polarized Range, Which Skips The Middle And Bets Only Very Strong Hands And Bluffs.

- **Category**: Theory
- **Term Code**: `linear-range`
- **DefinedTermSet**: [Smarter.Poker Poker Glossary](https://smarter.poker/glossary)

## Related Poker Terms

- [Polarized Range](https://smarter.poker/glossary/polarized-range) ([Markdown](https://smarter.poker/glossary/polarized-range.md)): A Polarized Range Is Made Of Very Strong Hands And Bluffs, With Few Medium Strength Hands In Between. Polarized Ranges Pair With Large Bets And Overbets, Because Strong Hands Want The Pot To Grow And Bluffs Need The Fold Equity. The Medium Hands That Are Left Out Are Checked, Where They Keep Their Showdown Value.
- [Range](https://smarter.poker/glossary/range) ([Markdown](https://smarter.poker/glossary/range.md)): A Range Is The Full Set Of Hands A Player Could Hold In A Given Spot, Based On Their Position And Every Action So Far. Strong Players Think In Ranges Rather Than Single Hands, Because Opponents Act With Many Hands In The Same Way. Reading A Range Means Narrowing It Street By Street As New Actions Arrive.
- [Value Bet](https://smarter.poker/glossary/value-bet) ([Markdown](https://smarter.poker/glossary/value-bet.md)): A Value Bet Is A Bet Made Because Worse Hands Will Call It Often Enough To Show A Profit. The Test Is Simple: If The Opponent Calls, Are You Ahead Of Most Of The Hands They Call With? Value Bets Pay For Bluffs In A Balanced Strategy, And Missing Them Costs More Money Than Most Players Realize.
- [3-Bet](https://smarter.poker/glossary/3-bet) ([Markdown](https://smarter.poker/glossary/3-bet.md)): A 3-Bet Is The First Re-Raise Before The Flop, Made Over An Open Raise. The Blinds Count As The First Bet And The Open As The Second, Which Is Why The Re-Raise Is The Third. A 3-Bet Can Be Made For Value With Strong Hands Or As A Bluff With Hands That Block The Opener's Best Holdings.

## Practice On Smarter.Poker

- [GTO Training](https://smarter.poker/hub/training): Scenario Based Poker Training, Free To Play.
- [Virtual Poker Table Sandbox](https://smarter.poker/features/virtual-poker-sandbox): Interactive Multi-Street Hand And Range Scenario Explorer.

## Compliance & Fair Play

There Is No Real-Money Gambling On Smarter.Poker: Club Chips Are Play Credits With No Cash Value, And Diamonds Are A Promotional Rewards Currency.