Introduction
Learning to play poker is not just about understanding hand rankings; your starting hand sets the foundation of your strategy. To become a good poker player, you must know which starting hands to play with and which to fold, depending on your position at the poker table. This is because your hand’s strength may vary depending on your position at the table.
The key to performing well in poker involves knowing the best starting hands and using this knowledge, along with your playing style and strategy. It is important to remember that even the premium hands cannot do well at times, depending on the community cards (flop, turn, and river) dealt during the game.
This article helps you learn the top 10 best-starting hands, the position-specific hand recommendations, and which starting hands you should prefer playing from your position at the poker table. It also explains the types of poker hands, including pocket pairs, unpaired hands, and suited hands. Whether you are a beginner seeking basic understanding or a professional player aiming to refine your skills, this article provides actionable tips and strategies to elevate your game and increase your chances of success at the poker table.
Understanding Starting Hands in Poker
In poker, your starting hand consists of the hole cards you receive at the beginning of each round. These cards form the foundation of your strategy and can significantly impact your chances of winning. Here's why understanding starting hands is essential:
- Strength Assessment: The strength of your starting hand determines how you should play. Strong hands can justify aggressive play, while weaker hands may lead you to fold.
- Building Hands: Strong starting hands provide the potential to form high-ranking combinations as community cards are revealed, such as Straight, Flush, or Full House.
- Position and Action: Your starting hand's strength should guide your decisions based on your position at the table. Strong hands can allow for more aggressive plays from any position.
- Reading Opponents: Knowing the range of starting hands other players might have helps you interpret their actions and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Starting Hand Notations in Poker
Understanding the starting hand notations is crucial for making strategic decisions when playing Texas Hold 'em poker. These notations guide players on which hands to play and how to interpret different hand combinations. Let's explore the poker hand notations and how they work!
Suited and Offsuit Hands
In Texas Hold'em, suited or offsuit are starting hands:
- Suited Hands (s): Two cards of the same suit, such as K of Hearts and 10 of Hearts or Ace of Spades and King of Spades. The 's' notation signifies that the hand is suited, e.g., AKs for Ace-King suited.
- Offsuit Hands (o): Two cards of different suits, such as King of Diamonds and 7 of Spades or Queen of Spades and 9 of Diamonds are Offsuit Hands. The 'o' notation indicates that the hand is an offsuit, e.g., K7o for King-Seven offsuit.
Range Notations with '+'
Another important notation in poker is the '+' symbol. This symbol expands the range of hands you should play based on the hand it follows:
- Pocket Pairs: When '+' follows a pocket pair, it means to play that pair and all higher-ranking pairs. For instance, JJ+ means play JJ and all higher pocket pairs, such as QQ, KK, and AA.
- High Cards: When '+' follows a high card hand, it means to play that hand and all higher-ranking combinations. For example, A6s+ means you should play all-suited aces from A6s to AKs.
How Starting Hands Set the Foundation for a Winning Strategy
- Hand Selection: Choosing strong starting hands and folding weaker ones can improve overall performance and decline losses.
- Play Style: Understanding starting hands allows you to balance conservative and aggressive play, depending on the situation.
- Bankroll Management: Focusing on strong starting hands can help you manage your bankroll more effectively and reduce unnecessary losses.
Mastering starting hands is essential for success in poker. By carefully selecting your starting hands and adjusting your strategy based on their strength, you can increase your chances of winning and improve your overall gameplay.
Poker Starting Hands Chart
Click Below to view the PDF version of the Starting Poker Hands Guide.
Click on each hole card combination to read more about when to exactly play that hand.
Position Advantage in Starting Hands
A player's position at the poker table significantly influences the choice of starting hands and is an essential aspect of a winning poker strategy. Understanding how your position affects your starting hand selection can help you play strategically and gain an advantage over your opponents. Here’s why position matters in poker.
Early Position (EP)
The early position includes the first few seats to act after the blinds.
- Tight Hand Selection: Players in early position should be more conservative with their starting hands because they act first in each betting round and have less information about their opponents' hands.
- Risk: Being in EP is a disadvantage because other players can react to your actions. Play strong starting hands and avoid marginal ones.
Middle Position (MP)
The middle position includes the seats between the early and late positions.
- Balanced Approach: Players in the middle position should balance aggressive and conservative play. You have more information than those in EP but less than LP.
- Moderate Hand Selection: Choose your starting hands with care, prioritise strong hands, but consider occasional plays with marginal hands.
Late Position (LP)
The late position includes the seats near the dealer button, such as the cutoff and button.
- Aggressive Advantage: Players in late positions can afford to play more aggressively because they can see how others act before them.
- Wider Hand Range: In LP, you can open up your starting hand selection to include a wider range of hands due to your positional advantage. You can capitalise on the weaknesses of others and control your actions.
Adjusting Hand Selection Based on Position
- Tightening Up in EP: In the early position, focus on premium hands (e.g., high pairs, high-suited connectors) and fold more marginal hands.
- Balanced Strategy in MP: In the middle position, loosen up slightly but remain selective with your starting hands.
- Widening Range in LP: In late position, take advantage of the ability to bluff or raise with a wider range of hands, as you have better information about your opponents' intentions.
By adjusting your starting hand selection based on your position at the table, you can maximise your chances of winning and gain an edge over your opponents. This strategic approach can lead to more successful plays and increased profitability in the long run.
Types of Poker Hands
In poker, starting hands set the tone for each round and guide your strategy as the game progresses. There are various starting hands, each with strengths, weaknesses, and potential for profitability. Understanding them can help you make informed decisions and improve your chances of winning. Let’s explore the essential starting hands in poker!
Pocket Pairs
You have received a pair if you have two cards of different suits but the same rank. Pairs are quite preferred starting hands. But, we can categorise the poker pair hands based on their strengths:
- Premium Pocket Pairs: Pocket Aces (AA), Pocket Kings (KK), and Pocket Queens (QQ) are the premium Pocket Pairs. The best way to play these hole cards is to raise them preflop to ensure you can take advantage of any weaker hands on the table. Pair of Tens is also a premium pocket pair that will prove profitable in the long run when raised from any position on the table.
- Medium Pocket Pairs: Pocket pairs ranging from 99 to 55 are categorised as Medium Pocket Pairs. These cards usually derive value if the probability of a Three-of-a-Kind type of hand being made is on the cards. These hands are of some significance pre-flop, but you should play carefully with them in the later stages like Turn and River. The pairs of 55 and 66 can be raised from middle to later positions. On the other hand, while playing on a table of 9 or more, these hands behave as the weakest hands that should be folded without hesitation from a position like Under The Gun.
- Weak Pocket Pairs: Pairs of 22 to 44 are categorised as Weak Pocket Pairs. These cards have a very lesser probability of winning unless you flop a set. You should avoid raising them from early positions, while if you raise them from later positions like cutoff, you can be profitable in the longer run.
Unpaired Hands
The unsuited hole cards can be categorised as playable, somewhat playable and unplayable hands.:
- Playable Hands: Hole cards of different suits, like AK and AQ, are strong playable hole cards. In a table of 6 or less, you can also treat same-suited KQ and AJ as premium hands and make your first move from any position.
- Somewhat Playable Hands: KQ and AJ of different suits are weaker than their counterparts with identical suits. It’s better to fold them when playing on a table of 9. Other list of hands that fall under this category are A4 to AT, KT, KJ, QT, QJ, QQ, JT, and JJ of different suits. These hands can sometimes be played from late positions.
- Unplayable Hands: Some hands have very low strength and should never used to raise in the first move. Hole cards like Q5o, J6o, 52o and 84o, and most of the other combinations like these are simply unplayable. Hence, there is a possibility that you may keep getting loads of them for a very long time. Therefore, it is recommended not to get carried away by your emotions. You should make it a habit only to play certain hands from certain positions.
Suited Hands
- Connectors: Connectors are pairs of cards that are consecutive rank-wise irrespective of their suits, i.e., AK(s), KQ(s), QJ(s), JT(s), AK(o), KQ(o), T9(s), T9(o), etc. Connectors that belong to the same suit are called suited connectors, while the ones with different suits are called offsuit connectors.In suited connectors, AK(s) is the most premium hand, while hands like KQ(s), QJ(s) and JT(s) are also good hands that can be played from any position on the table.These hands can get converted to straights and flushes.Among unsuited connectors, AK(o) is the most premium hand and can be played from any position. Otherwise, all other unsuited connectors, like JT(o)+, are weaker hands that should only be played from later positions.
- Gappers: The pair of cards that are separated from each other in terms of ranking are called gappers. For example, KJ, QT, J9, T8, and 97 are single gappers where these two-hole cards are separated in rankings by just one card in between them. The bigger the gap, the weaker the hand becomes. Hence, you must be more selective while playing with two gappers or three gappers. Some of the examples of two gappers are KT, Q9, J8, and T7, while examples of three gappers are K9, Q8, J7, and T6. While these gappers get connected during the game at times, it is only worth taking a risk with a high-strength gapper like KJ.
Top 10 Best Starting Hands
In Texas Hold'em poker, the ten best-starting hands offer strong potential for winning, both pre-flop and post-flop. These hands have high values and often form strong combinations such as pairs, straights, or flushes. Here's a look at the ten best-starting hands and how beginners can leverage them:
- Pocket Aces (AA): AA is the best starting hand in Hold'em. Pocket Aces are also known as Pocket Rockets, Bullets, and American Airlines. It is the most preferred pre-flop hand, and it can played from any position, be it early, middle or late. Players look up to getting pocket aces as their starting hand. Beginners should play this hand aggressively to build the pot and protect against outdraws.
- Pocket Kings (KK): Second only to aces, pocket kings are another powerhouse hand. They are also known as King Kong and Cowboys. Players should play KK more aggressively than AA, as an ace might hit the board and make it difficult for pocket kings to survive. So, they must be prepared to bet heavily to protect their hand.
- Pocket Queens (QQ): A strong pair that fares well against most hands. Pocket Queens are also known as Ladies and Two Queens. Players should raise pre-flop with pocket queens and play assertively post-flop, especially if the board is not high-card heavy. Though pocket queens are a strong hand to play preflop, it might be critical to play them post-flop when facing overcards such as AA, KK or AK. So, it is advisable to play this hand cautiously.
- Pocket Jacks (JJ): Pocket Jacks are also known as Hooks and Fishhooks. While strong, this hand requires careful play post-flop. Players should look out for overcards on the board that may weaken their hand. Pocket Jacks are a strong preflop hand when played against unpaired hands or lower pocket pairs.
- Ace-King Suited (AKs): AKs are also known as Big Slick. They are a premium hand that can win over any pocket pair except AA or KK. An Ace-King suited hand is strong enough to make a high straight or flush and much stronger than an unsuited Ace-king. Players should play this hand aggressively pre-flop and look for opportunities to dominate post-flop.
- Ace-Queen Suited (AQs): It is also called Big Chick and Little SLick. This versatile hand can form top pairs, straights, or flushes. Players should consider raising pre-flop and bet confidently post-flop if they hit the board.
- Ace-Jack Suited (AJs): Similar to AQs, this hand offers potential for high combinations. Use it to apply pressure pre-flop and play strongly if you connect with the board.
- King-Queen Suited (KQs): It is a strong drawing hand with the potential to create Flush and Straight. Raise pre-flop and stay involved post-flop if you have a good connection.
- Ace-King Offsuit (AKo): While not as strong as its suited counterpart, this hand is still a premium holding. Players should play aggressively pre-flop and assess the board to determine their post-flop play. Players should focus on making a straight or two pair using their offsuit Ace-King.
- Pocket Tens (1010): Pocket Tens are also called Dimes. They are a solid pair that can hold up well in many scenarios. Players should raise pre-flop and play carefully and cautiously post-flop, particularly against overcards.
Position-Specific Hand Recommendations
Your position at the poker table is critical in determining which starting hands to play and how to play them. Being in an advantageous position allows you to make more informed decisions and maximise your winnings. Here’s a breakdown of position-specific hand recommendations.
Early Position (EP)
In the early position, you are one of the first players to act, so your hand selection should be more conservative to avoid facing re-raises and tough decisions from other players.
- Strong hands: Play premium hands like AA, KK, QQ, and AK. Raise or re-raise if possible.
- Solid hands: Play mid-pairs (1010, JJ) and strong unpaired hands (AQs, AKo). Approach cautiously and consider folding if faced with a lot of aggression.
Middle Position (MP)
In the middle position, you have some information from early-position players but also face the possibility of later-position players acting after you.
- Strong hands: Continue to play premium hands like AA, KK, QQ, and AK. Raise to build the pot.
- Solid hands: Play mid-pairs (1010, JJ) and strong unpaired hands (AQs, AKo). Consider playing hands more actively, like AJs and KQs.
Late Position (LP)
You have a significant advantage in late position as you act after most other players. You can afford to widen your starting hand range.
- Strong hands: Continue to play premium hands (AA, KK, QQ, and AK) aggressively.
- Solid hands: Play a broader range of hands, including AJs, KQs, AKo, KQo, and mid to small pairs (Nine-Nine, Eight-Eight, and Seven-Seven). You can also include suited connectors and one-gappers (such as 98s or 109s) for their potential to form straights and flushes.
Small Blind and Big Blind
These are forced bets. You have to put money in the pot before seeing your hand. Play cautiously and protect your investment.
- Strong hands: Play premium hands (AA, KK, QQ, and AK) and strong unpaired hands (AQs, AKo).
- Solid hands: Include hands like mid to small pairs (99, 88, 77), AJs, and KQs.
Defend your blinds with a wider range of hands, especially in the big blind, when facing smaller raises.
Which Starting Hands Should You Play From Your Position?
You can take your poker game to advanced levels if you know which starting hands should be played from which positions.
The hand position charts below depict a coloured matrix of the hands that should be played or folded from which positions. Following such rules and a structured approach can help maximise your poker returns in the long run.
Playing Pairs And Suited Hands
Pocket pairs from AA to 77 can be played from any position, while suited unpaired Aces from AK to AT, unpaired Kings from KQ to KT, Queens QJ and QT, Jacks JT and J9, and T9 can be played from any positions. The rest of the suited hands should be played as per depictions in the chart.
Playing Off-Suited Hands
For off-suited hands, the range is narrower than pairs and suited hands. Here, AK to AT, KQ and KJ can be played from any position. The rest of the unsuited hands can either be played from mid to late positions or are unplayable hands.
Starting Hand Ranges From UTG Position In Full-Ring Poker
UTG is the first one to make the move pre-flop. Hence, this position has minimum information about the cards of other players. Therefore, the playing hand range is tighter for this position compared to Lo-Jack or any other later positions. While sitting in this position, the playable range is 77s+, T9s+, QTs+, KTs+, AQo+, and ATs+. Sitting at an early position like this one, you must play against frequent calls and re-raises (3-bet). Thus, it is recommended that you play with only such strong hands.
Here is the coloured chart that depicts the hand range that can be played while sitting at UTG.
Starting Hand Ranges From LoJack Position
The image here shows the hands that can be played and the ones that should not be played from this position. Lo Jack is in a late position on the table. Hand range while sitting at this position will be much broader than when sitting at UTG, as is visible from the table.
In this later position, the hand range includes suited Aces of A2(s)+, off-suit Aces of A10(o)+, pocket pairs of 55+, suited connectors of 76(s)+, suited one gappers of J9s+, and suited two gappers of Q9(s)+ and a suited three gapper K9(s)
Starting Hand Ranges From The Button
The hand range for the button position is broader than even Lo-Jack and UTG, as it is the last position on the table.
In the button position, you are up against the blinds only, so there is an upfront advantage RFI (raising first in) while sitting at this position. The players seated at the button have a high probability of winning even with suited two-gappers 96(s)+ and three-gappers of J7(s)+, Q6(s)+ Queens, and some offsuit hands like 9T+.
The hands that might have been otherwise weaker at earlier positions, like UTG or Lo-Jack, become stronger because of the positional advantage at the button. The playable hands include the suited kings of K4(s)+, offsuit aces of A4(o)+, all the suited connectors, which are 43(s)+ and one-gappers 53(s)+, and all pocket pairs,i.e., 22+
Poker Cheat Sheets
Starting with a solid foundation in poker is essential for success, and having a cheat sheet for the best-starting hands can give you a strategic advantage. While general principles apply across various poker variants, it's crucial to recognise the specific dynamics of your game. In this case, we're focusing on Texas Hold'em, the widely popular poker variant.
In Texas Hold'em, each player receives two hole cards. Through rounds of betting, community cards are gradually revealed, which every player can use along with their cards to form the strongest possible five-card hand.
Here's a breakdown of the top starting hands in Texas Hold'em, listed in order of strength:
- Pairs from Aces (AA) down to 10s (1010)
- Ace-King (AK), Ace-Queen (AQ), Ace-Jack (AJ), Ace-10 (A10)
- King-Queen (KQ), King-Jack (KJ)
- Queen-Jack (QJ)
- Jack-10 (J10)
- Suited connectors such as 910s, 89s, 78s, and 76s
Understanding the hierarchy of starting hands can significantly enhance your decision-making process during gameplay, whether online, in a casino, or a prestigious tournament.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some mistakes you should avoid:
- Playing too many cards: This is called the beginner’s trap. You must be selective and focus on hands with high potential to win. Based on your position, you can make a starting hand chart and play tight and loose as you gain experience.
- Overvaluing suited connectors: Unless you are in a good position, consider folding these hands. They may make strong straights or flushes but are weak in pre-flop rounds.
- Limping: Limping (minimum bets) with weak bets shows weakness and keeps the pot small. You might miss a good opportunity to make a high pot if you get a strong hand.
- Ignoring positions: If you keep playing the same hand regardless of your position at the table, you may either lose all your money or miss a good opportunity to win big.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-starting hand in poker?
The best-starting hand in Texas Hold'em is Pocket Aces (AA).
How many poker hands do you start with?
There are 169 different possible starting hands in Texas Hold'em. The number of starting hands available for you depends on your position.
Who is the first to bet in Texas Hold’em?
The first player to bet is the one sitting to the left of the button, i.e., a small blind.
How many different starting hands are there in poker?
When you consider both pocket pairs and unpaired hands (suited and unsuited), there are 169 different possible starting hands in Texas Hold 'em.
What percentage of poker starting hands should I play in Texas Hold’em?
The percentage of playable poker starting hands depends on your position at the table and your playing style, but typically, you might play between 15-25% of starting hands.
What poker hands should I fold?
When out of position, it is generally advisable to fold weak hands, such as offsuit low cards, disconnected hands, and unpaired hands with low ranks.
What hands should I play in poker preflop?
You can play strong hands such as pocket pairs, suited connectors or Broadway cards (A-Q-K-J).
Conclusion
In essence, your starting hand in poker shapes the course of the game. Understanding the significance of starting hands is crucial for making informed decisions and increasing your chances of success at the table. So, next time you're dealt your cards, choose wisely and play smart.
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