Texas Holdem Starting Hands

One of the most important decisions in Texas Holdem is the first – whether to enter a pot. This depends on several factors including your position at the table, whether someone has already called (or raised) ahead of you and the strength of your starting hand. This guide to Texas Holdem starting hands will look at the different hand groups and suggest where and how these should be played before the flop. 

Premium Pairs: Aces, Kings and to a lesser extent Queens are very strong before the flop in Texas Holdem poker. They can be played from any position and should be played strongly. The ideal scenario with these hands is to build a big pot before the flop against a single opponent. If there have already been raises ahead of you then re-raise strongly with premium pairs to get heads-up where possible.

Medium Pairs: 9-9 through to J-J are considered medium pairs. You probably hold the best hand at the table before the flop – but the chance of an over-card to your pair flopping is high. Play these hands for a raise when first to enter a pot or re-raise any limpers. If someone has already raised ahead of you then you will need to use your judgment as to what kind of hands this particular player might raise with before you act.

Small Pairs: Pairs 8-8 and below. These pairs are less likely to be the best hand after the flop unless you are fortunate enough to hit a set. The smallest of these should be folded from early position. In middle position you can either limp or fold depending on how aggressive the table is – from late position you can raise to steal the blinds when your opponents ahead have folded to you. These pairs play best when it is cheap to see a flop (and try to hit your set) if others have limped into the pot then you should usually to limp in also.

Strong Aces: These hands are Ace-King and Ace-Queen – a Jack or Ten kicker can also be considered if folded to in late position. The high aces are drawing hands, you will usually need to hit the board to win. If your opponent is playing a pair under your kicker then you are almost 50% to win when seeing all 5 cards. These hands should be played aggressively from any position when first to enter a pot or when you believe that opponents may be playing weaker aces.

Weak Aces: Ace with a kicker under 10. These are dangerous hands and should rarely be played except to steal the blinds from late positon. The problem with them is that, even if you do hit the flop you will not be sure that you have the best hand. Suited weak aces can be profitably limped from late position when there are several limpers already in the pot. You are looking to make a flush (or draw to one) cheaply and should fold if the price becomes too high.

High-Card Hands: This includes King-Queen and King-Jack. These are again dangerous hands as you could hit the flop yet still be behind in the hand (for example to Ace-King). Suited high cards have more potential, though both suited and unsuited high cards can be used to raise when you are first into the pot in late position. If the pot has already been raised these hands become dangerous and should rarely be played without specific information on your opponent.

Suited Connectors: 5-4 suited through to J-Q suited. These are great hands for seeing a cheap flop and trying to hit a flush or a straight. When you do hit your hand will be well disguised, giving you the chance to win a big pot. These hands can be played when cheap to see a flop – meaning you should aim to limp in behind one or more limpers. They should be folded in early position and occasionally used as ‘semi-bluffing’ hands to raise with from middle to late position. 

Trash Hands: Anything not covered above is considered a trash hand in Texas Holdem, such hands will lose money over time – regardless of whether you get lucky with them once or twice!