One of the most important decisions in Texas Hold’em poker now happens before the flop—choosing which starting hands to play and which to fold. Mastering this aspect of the game sets a strong foundation for long-term success and helps prevent common beginner mistakes. Not all hands are created equal, and understanding which ones are worth your chips is essential.

The Value of Starting Hands

Your starting hand is the only part of the game you control entirely. Making smart choices early improves your chances of winning and keeps you from getting into difficult spots later in the hand. Strong starting hands allow you to play aggressively and confidently, while weak ones often lead to trouble if not folded early.

Premium Hands You Should Almost Always Play

Certain hands are statistically stronger and should nearly always be played, especially in early or middle position. These hands win more often and perform well in both single and multi-way pots.

• Pocket Aces (A♠ A♦): The best starting hand in poker. Raise or re-raise confidently.

• Pocket Kings (K♠ K♥): Very strong, though vulnerable to aces.

• Pocket Queens (Q♦ Q♣): Another powerhouse hand, best played aggressively.

• Ace-King Suited (A♠ K♠): A premium drawing hand with high card strength and flush potential.

• Pocket Jacks (J♥ J♦): Strong but can be tricky, especially against overcards on the board.

Strong Hands to Play from Good Position

When you’re in a later position (such as the cutoff or button), you can afford to play a wider range of hands. These hands are strong but more dependent on position and opponent tendencies.

• Ace-Queen Suited (A♣ Q♣)

• Pocket Tens (10♠ 10♥)

• King-Queen Suited (K♦ Q♦)

• Ace-Jack Suited (A♥ J♥)

• Suited Connectors like 9♠ 8♠

In position, you have more information and can control the size of the pot more effectively, which makes these hands more profitable.

Marginal Hands to Play with Caution

These hands can be playable under the right conditions but should be approached with care. They often get dominated by stronger hands or lead to difficult post-flop decisions.

• Off-suit Broadway cards (K♠ J♦, Q♠ 10♦)

• Small pocket pairs (4♣ 4♦, 6♠ 6♥)

• Suited one-gappers (J♣ 9♣, 8♠ 6♠)

• Ace-rag off-suit (A♦ 5♠)

Play these hands more frequently in late position or when you can enter the pot cheaply. Avoid calling big raises with these hands from early position.

Hands You Should Usually Fold

Not every hand is worth playing. Many new players lose chips by getting involved with hands that look good on the surface but offer poor long-term value.

• 2♣ 7♦ (worst hand in poker)

• Unsuited, disconnected low cards (9♣ 4♠, 6♦ 2♥)

• Weak off-suit aces (A♠ 3♦, A♥ 7♣) from early position

• Face cards with poor kickers (K♣ 9♦, Q♦ 8♠)

Folding these hands pre-flop helps you avoid difficult decisions and saves your stack for better opportunities.

Importance of Position in Hand Selection

Your position at the table greatly influences which hands you should play. From early position, stick to premium hands and fold marginal ones. In middle position, you can widen your range slightly. In late position, you can play more speculative hands and even steal blinds with weaker holdings.

Position gives you a strategic advantage because you act after most of your opponents, giving you more information on how to proceed.

Adjusting Based on Table Dynamics

No hand chart is perfect for every situation. You should always adjust based on how your opponents are playing. If players are tight and passive, you can steal more pots. If they’re loose and aggressive, tighten up and value bet your strong hands.

Observation and adaptability are just as important as knowing your starting hand ranges.

FAQ

Can I play suited low cards like 4♠ 5♠?
Yes, but usually only in late position or multi-way pots. These hands have potential for straights and flushes but should be folded to heavy pre-flop action.

Should I always play Ace-King?
Ace-King is a powerful starting hand, but it’s still a drawing hand. It plays well against most hands but should be folded if you face extreme pressure from tight players pre-flop and don’t feel confident post-flop.

Do starting hands matter more than post-flop play?
Both are important. Starting with the right hands gives you an advantage, but knowing how to play them after the flop is what turns potential into profit. The best players excel at both stages.