Starting Hands

• 09.06.2025 5:35 pm
• headhunter
• 0 Comments

One of the most important decisions you are going to make when playing poker is whether you are going to play the hand. In Texas Hold 'Em this is deciding if your hole cards are worth risking any money. So much is predicated on this one decision, which is why there are countless books and articles written on starting hands.

When considering a hand, you have to think about your position. You don't want to throw you money in to the pot with a suited gapped connector when you're under the gun on a tight table. You probably aren't going to get the right odds and on top of that, you're putting yourself at risk by playing out of position. The earlier your position, the better your hand should rank.

When it comes to the top ranking of hands, there is some debate as to what is suitable in early position. Of course, pocket Aces through Jacks will be played. Other pocket pairs are a consideration. A high, suited Ace such as AK or AQ will be played in most situations as well, but you can't just play certain starting hands by using a chart. There are elements you have to consider: is the table loose or tight, does the person to your left constantly raise and what are the chances of trapping people with your hand. These aren't the only considerations, but very important ones.

The thing with starting hands is that you can't wait for a monster hand all day. If you only enter the pot with a big pocket pair, other players are going to realize this and not get involved with you. That's why you can mix it up a little bit in late positions. The truth is any two cards can win a hand. It just helps when the two cards you have already start out strong.

Here's a look at the top ranked hands you should always play when first into the pot and normally raise. However, you may think about folding the hand if you are faced with a raise or reraise, except with Aces, of course. These hands should always be brought in for a raise, unless you are trying to trap or you think calling is the best play.
AA
KK
QQ
JJ
AKs

This next group of hands is strong and could be worth a raise. However, you may consider calling or even folding to a tight aggressive player.
10 10
AQs
AJs
AK
KQs

We ranked ten hands. These are the highest ranked cards you can play with. You can follow a correlation down to figure out which hands come next (pocket nines, eight, suited QJ, unsuited AQ or AJ). A lot of decision on the starting hand is based on the table. Every time you play poker, the starting hand selection could change. It could even change within the same game if the dynamic changes.

Play other hands carefully. Suited connectors might seem like a great hand, but in a tight game, they are easily dominated. Suited connectors and such hands play better in late position and in multiway pots.