Holdem Starting Hands
If you play Texas hold’em, you probably know that you can’t just enter any pot with any hand you happen to be dealt. One of the ways to gain an edge in poker is by limiting your play to a very specific range of hands and then playing those hands aggressively. Here are the hands you should be considering when you play Texas hold’em.
Premium Hands
Premium hands are the hands at the top of the Texas hold’em pecking order, hands like AA, KK, QQ, AK suited, AQ suited and AK. You will always play these hands from any position.
You will often raise and re-raise pre-flop with these hands. In many cases, you will be happy to get all your money in the pot before the flop.
Strong Hands
Hands that are playable but not quite as strong are medium to big pairs and big cards, especially when suited or connected. Hands like AQ offsuit, AJ and AT suited, KQ suited and unsuited, JT suited and unsuited, JJ, TT and 99 fall in this category.
You want to play these hands, but need to be careful because they are easily dominated by the premium hands. If you are in early position or there has been a raise, you should be more inclined to fold these hands if they are not close together or suited.
For example, if someone in early position raises, you should probably muck your AT. However, you may want to call with JT suited if it is cheap enough. You could flop a monster and receive a payout.
Marginal Hands
Marginal hands have some value, but need a little help. These include small
and medium pairs like 88, 77, etc. and hands like Ax or Kx suited.
You should try to refrain from playing these hands in early position or if
there has been a raise. In late position, you can be more willing to play these types of hands.
Suited Connectors
This is a special breed of hand like 9hTh or 6c5c. They have both straight and flush possibilities. Some players like these hands because they can flop a well-disguised monster hand.
However, to play them effectively you also have to be able to get away from these hands on marginal flops. These hands should usually be reserved for late position play.