Texas Hold’em Starting Hands
First and foremost, remember that your starting hand selection will generally vary depending on the number of opponents on the table. Playing heads-up poker for example, is much different than playing against 9 other players on a full table. More players means playing tighter, fewer can allow you to loosen up.
The following is a general guideline on starting hands for Texas Hold’em, based on a game with between 5 and 9 opponents or so. Fewer players? You might want to loosen up your requirements to see more flops.
Great Starting Hands:
No hand is infallible, but these have a good chance to take the pot once the deal is done. Generally speaking, a great starting hand should be raised pre-flop, and even re-raised if given the opportunity (except for the lower pairs, which may be better off just called if you are re-raised).
- Pairs of Aces
- Pairs of Kings
- Pairs of Queens
- Pairs of Jacks
- Ace-King Suited
Good Starting Hands:
These hands stand a good chance of improving once the board cards are up, but are less likely to win without some kind of improvement. These type of hands should generally just be called, and sometimes even folded pre-flop if it’s getting too expensive to stay in.
- Pairs of 10’s
- Pairs of 9’s
- A,Q Suited
- A,J Suited
- A,10 Suited
- K,Q Suited
- K,J Suited
- K,10 Suited
- Q,J Suited
- Q,10 Suited
- J,10 Suited
- A,K Off-suit
- A,Q Off-suit
- A,J Off-suit
Respectable Starting Hands:
If you can see a cheap flop, these hands have enough potential to play (sometimes). Never to multiple raises, and be prepared to fold once the flop is up if it doesn’t go your way.
- Pairs of 8’s
- Pairs of 7’s
- J,9 Suited
- 10,9 Suited
- 9,8 Suited
- 8,7 Suited
- Ace and any other suited card
- K,J Off-suit
- Q,J Off-suit
- J,10 Off-suit
Other playable hands may include connected suits (like a 7,8 of hearts), or any other pair. If you don’t have any of the above hands, chances are pretty good you should fold.
Bear in mind this is just a guideline, and what you do with your starting hand depends on a number of other factors, including the number of opponents, their previous actions, your previous actions, and the limits you’re playing.
|
