One of the common pitfalls for novice players is their tendency to engage in too many hands. play poker Even if players manage to enter a pot without spending much, most hands will often either perform poorly post-flop or have limited potential compared to what they know about their own hand and their opponents'. This often puts them in precarious positions after the flop, where they frequently make expensive errors. position Adjusting the types of poker hands you play can significantly cut down on your losses or enhance your winning chances by making wiser choices regarding starting hands.
If there’s one tip th In this write-up, we will discuss various starting hand selections, guiding you on which hands to play based on your position and the rationale behind the superiority of certain hands.
Premium Pairs (JJ-AA) : The top-tier pairs represent the strongest starting hands available in the game.
POKER STARTING HANDS
Pairs
It’s advisable to raise or even re-raise with these hands before the flop, and under many circumstances, you should be willing to commit your entire stack preflop if your stack is 100bb or less. However, against very tight opponents or in live games, Texas Holdem . In almost all cases, you want to raise hands like JJ and QQ might be better left unplayed preflop, unless you're up against shorter stacks who are likely to push with a broader range. Players in live settings usually take a conservative approach with their raises and 3-bets/4-bets. Though high pairs should be played assertively preflop, you need to tread carefully on specific poker hands boards that are favorable to draws in the post-flop stage, as these hands can often be outmatched and lose. Special vigilance is required in multi-way pots since the strength of your hand diminishes significantly against several opponents. wet (77-TT): Middle pairs play a useful role since they can frequently lead to strong post-flop scenarios in heads-up pots. They possess some late-game value because they can actually hit a set. In
Middle Pairs (77-TT) : Middle Pairs , those pairs often mimic the behavior of low pairs (explained below), as their real worth is derived when they hit a set. In multi-player situations, these pairs tend to fall behind the flop as other players might hold stronger pairs. The value of these middle pairs rises notably when the stack is short (<20bb), as they maintain better odds when going all-in. Moreover, when called, it's likely against weaker hands, unlike facing a higher pocket pair. When playing at the standard 100bb stack, they can be opened from any position. If someone has already raised, a call is usually the preferred move. multiway pots : Small pairs hold considerable implied value. Whenever feasible, you should try to see the flop at a low cost because when you hit a set, that's when you’ll truly gain the most important wins! fold equity Yet, if you don’t nail a set, continuing with these hands can be quite challenging, often leading to situations where you have to check-fold as you frequently find yourself holding the 3rd or 4th highest pair on the flop. Thus, it becomes tricky to profitably cold call a
- Small Pairs (22-66) with them, particularly when out of position (unless you’re offered exceptional odds with multiple players limping in). three-of-a-kind Here are extra tips for profitably handling small pairs: 3bet From early positions, small pairs should typically be folded (or limped in a live context, where opponents are less aggressive). Yes, you want to see a cheap flop with them, but if players acting after you start raising or 3-betting, it complicates the situation and often makes pursuing small pairs out of position against skilled players unprofitable.
In middle to late positions, opening a raise with small pairs is quite feasible.
If you face a raise while in position, simply calling is generally acceptable, as long as you have enough chips. preflop When you find yourself in a raising situation and are out of position, a 3-bet is reasonable against one opponent, especially if they are in a later position (as their range will be wider). However, if there are several players calling after the initial raiser, calling is typically more advantageous.
, which implies if the preflop bet is $10 and your stack is $100, calling often breaks even or turns profitable, assuming you’ll likely extract value from a weaker hand when you hit your set.
- Broadway cards encompass Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and Tens. Following the premium pairs, the highest
broadway cards rank among the top starting hands in Texas Hold’em. This is due to their ability to form pairs and other strong holdings that can outclass your opponent's (i.e. AK against 65 on A95 where both players hit a pair, but the Aces are vastly superior).
Usually, you want about 10:1 odds for set mining Furthermore, the higher your paired Broadway cards, the more likely you are to have the upper hand against what your opponent holds. (Imagine having AK while your opponent has AQ or AJ; once an Ace hits, they could find themselves in a difficult situation.)
You will only flop a set about 1 in 8 times.
Broadway Cards
However, new players often struggle with handling Broadway cards due to their tendency to play too many variations from certain positions. Instead of gaining an advantage over their opponents, they frequently end up being outmatched by battling excessive combinations of these hands, often playing them passively and resulting in missed opportunities for additional equity. pocket pairs Suited broadways offer slightly more value compared to their unsuited equivalents, primarily because suited cards provide greater opportunities for playability, chances to barrel, and enhancing equity during the hand. Consequently, suited broadway hands are preferable as 3-bet candidates compared to their off-suit counterparts because of this added playability.
Many novice and inexperienced players overfit themselves with too many AX hands (where X denotes any card in the deck). They mistakenly believe that holding an Ace equates to potential and value. However, overextending with AX combinations sets them up to be outplayed by stronger AX hands, thus highlighting the importance of learning to fold weak AX hands when faced with strong aggression.
The potential of having a suited AX rises significantly, allowing for combinations that may outrun other flushes. Conversely, off-suit AX carries limited playability as it negates flush potential and might introduce factors of
depending on how weak your
AX Hands
is. Avoid the temptation of overplaying AX off-suit hands! Remember, they consist of thrice as many combos compared to their suited counterparts (12 vs 4) and typically do not perform well post-flop.
create favorable opportunities for 3-bets or 4-bets because they block several AA/AK combinations and retain sufficient post-flop maneuverability as well. nut flush Overall, it’s wise to steer clear of excessively leveraging AX combos preflop, reserving suited aces for supplemental bluffs in your 3-bet strategy. Additionally, learn to relinquish top pair (Ace) with weak kickers when confronted with strong aggression. domination The true strength of suited connectors lies in their ability to craft notable hands like kicker and flushes. Nevertheless, players frequently find themselves flopping middle pairs and/or weak draws. In such cases, it’s advisable to either let go of your hand or manage the pot size carefully.
It should be noted that A2-A5 suited Since you don’t want to inflate the pot while out of position holding weak pairs, suited connectors tend to perform optimally in position. They also are capable of winning sizable pots against early position ranges, such as overpairs, thanks to their potential to form straights and flushes. Consequently, suited connectors are recognized as a hand type that offers excellent
- allowing for minor investments preflop with hopes of landing a sizeable pot post-flop.
Suited Connectors
Additional insights on effectively playing suited connectors include the following: straights As suited connectors thrive more in position, only the strong ones should be considered as you move away from the button.
Ideally, you aim for around 20:1 implied odds preflop if you decide to call a raise. (It’s advantageous to play these hands when stacked deep.) implied odds When contending against a single player, incorporating these hands into your 3-bet bluff range while in position is sensible.
If multiple individuals have entered the pot prior to you, it’s better to either limp or call the initial open, seeking to make a straight or flush in the presence of other players.
If you’re calling hands like these after witnessing a raise along with several callers, keep an eye on any contenders to your left who might hold a high
percentage. Once you encounter a raise, multiple calls, and a
, suited connectors might often struggle to receive adequate odds for a call on a 3-bet, even if you’re situated well.
: It's essential to highlight that suited holdings only slightly enhance a hand's preflop equity by about 2%, but playing suited cards (as opposed to unsuited ones) grants you substantially better playability in the following rounds, particularly if you're the aggressor. You’ll find it easier to
- engage in more spots as bluffs while maintaining a reasonable amount of squeeze to balance your range. Hence, unsuited connectors should be rarely played due to their “non-playability” feature. An example of a tolerable open from late position in an unopened pot could be T9o. Additionally, inferior unsuited connectors may find some acceptance squeeze from the CO or BTN if there are weaker players yet to act after you.
Other Hands
- Unsuited Connectors : These hands are similarly treated like suited connectors discussed above. One key point to remember is not to over-3-bet these hands along with suited connectors to prevent excessive bluffing against the value hands in your 3-bet repertoire. In terms of post-flop play, avoid chasing gut-shots until the river, and be comfortable folding if faced with substantial aggression. barrel Understand the optimal way to engage with the top starting poker hands by timing your plays and selecting your opponents wisely to maximize your potential winnings. equity Hidden Insights on Dominating Texas Hold’em Starting Hands open raises One of the most common errors made by novice players is their tendency to engage in too many hands.
- Suited Gappers Even when they can enter a pot for a low cost, most hands either end up being weak or lack the potential to compete effectively against what their opponents might hold.
- This often leads them to experience challenging and stressful situations after the flop, where they are likely to make significant errors that can be costly. reverse implied odds By focusing on better hand selection, you can drastically minimize your losses and enhance your chances of winning in poker. burn This article aims to detail which starting hands you should consider playing based on your position at the table, highlighting why some hands have a higher value than others.
- Trash High Pairs (JJ-AA) : Premium pairs represent the strongest starting hands available in poker.
You should be inclined to make aggressive plays with these hands prior to the flop, and it’s usually wise to go all-in preflop with them when your stack is 100 big blinds or less. However, in certain scenarios, such as against exceptionally tight opponents, hands like JJ and QQ might benefit from a more cautious approach before the flop, especially against those with shorter stacks.
In live games, players tend to adopt a more cautious strategy with raises and re-raises. While playing high pairs aggressively preflop is important, it’s essential to exercise caution on specific boards that are rich in draws during the post-flop phase, as these hands can be easily outdrawn.
It should be noted that limping should rarely if ever, be a part of an opening strategy Additionally, when involved in a pot with multiple players, the strength of these hands decreases significantly compared to the potential holdings of several opponents.
Generally, you should raise to about 3x the big blind (close to a pot-sized raise) when you’re the first player to open, and stacks are 100bb.
(77-TT): Middle pairs are beneficial as they often provide solid post-flop playability in heads-up situations and can also hit a hidden set.
In various scenarios, these middle pairs will be playing similarly to smaller pairs, relying heavily on the ability to hit a set.
When there are numerous players, middle pairs can frequently wind up as the second or third highest pair after the flop, making it more likely that another player has a higher pair. The worth of these middle pairs rises considerably when playing with a short stack (less than 20 big blinds), especially when someone goes all-in, as you might be against hands like A-K or A-Q rather than facing a higher pair. In standard 100 big blind stacks, opening with these hands from any position is generally acceptable, but if there’s been an initial raise, it’s often better to just call.
Small Pairs: Small pairs hold significant implied odds.
Wherever feasible, aim to see the flop at minimal cost because if you manage to hit a set, that’s when you can potentially make a substantial profit.
Regarding the notation found below:
- If you miss hitting a set, continuing in the hand often becomes complex, and you might find yourself folding frequently as they tend to become the third or fourth best hand post-flop. Thus, cold calling a raise with them is usually unprofitable, especially out of position unless the odds are exceptionally favorable.
- Here are extra strategies for managing small pairs effectively:
- When in early position, it’s advisable to fold small pairs or limp, especially in live settings where opponents tend to be less aggressive.
Even if you're keen on seeing a low-cost flop, if the following players are aggressive with raises, it makes it hard to play small pairs profitably against solid opponents.
Under-The-Gun (UTG/EP 1): 10%:
77+, ATs+, KTs+, QTs+, J9s+, T9s, 98s, A5s, AQo+
UTG+1 (EP 2): 10%:
77+, ATs+, KTs+, QTs+, J9s+, T9s, 98s, A5s, AQo+
UTG +2 (EP 3): 13%:
77+, A8s+, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, T9s, 98s, A4s-A5s, AJo+
Lojack (LJ/MP1): 16%
55+, A2s+ K9s+, Q9s+ J9s+ T8s+, 98s, 87s, 76s, AJo+, KQo
Hijack (HJ/MP2): 20%
44+, A2s+, K8s+, Q9s+ J9s+ T8s+, 97s+, 87s, 76s, 65s, 54s, ATo+, KJo+, QJo
Cut-off (CO/LP1): 26%
22+, A2s+, K5s+, Q8s+ J8s+ T8s+, 97s+, 86s+, 75s+, 65s, 54s, ATo+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo
Button (BTN/LP2): 40%
22+, A2s+, K2s+, Q5s+ J7s+ T6s+, 96s+, 85s+, 75s+, 64s+, 53s+, 43s, A4o+, K9o+, Q9o+, J9o+, T9o, 98o
Small Blind (SB): 47%+
22+, A2s+, K2s+, Q4s+ J6s+ T6s+, 95s+, 84s+, 74s+, 63s+, 53s+, 43s, A2o+, K8o+, Q8o+, J8o+, T8o+, 98o
H2: OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
- From middle and later positions, you can opt for an open-raise with small pairs, jam When faced with a raise while you’re in position, a call is typically a good move, provided that your stack size is adequate.
If you're out of position facing a raise, a re-raise might be a feasible option against one opponent, especially if they are positioned later (as their range is likely broader). In cases with multiple players who have called, a simple call is generally the preferred move.
Create/Know Your Ranges : To illustrate, if the preflop bet stands at $10 and your stack is $100, calling could frequently be a breakeven or profitable strategy, contingent upon the expectation of taking in more from inferior hands when you hit your set.
Broadway cards encompass any Ace, King, Queen, Jack or Ten (T). After premium pairs, these Broadway cards rank as the subsequent best starting hands in Texas Hold’em. cbet The importance of these cards lies in their capability to form pairs or other stronger combinations than what your opponent may have, such as AK versus 65 on a board A95, where both players connect with one pair, but Aces reign supreme.
Moreover, having higher Broadway cards allows you to 'dominate' your opponent's hands more often (for instance, possessing AK against AQ would put your opponent in a vulnerable position if an Ace appears).
However, a common pitfall for less experienced players is their propensity to overplay Broadway cards from unsuitable positions. 6-max games Instead of asserting dominance, they frequently end up on the receiving end of domination by overextending the range of these hands and opting for passive play, incorporating more calls than necessary compared to raises or re-raises preflop, thus missing out on the chance for additional fold equity. loose-aggressive Suited Broadway cards provide a slight edge over off-suit versions, as the suited nature enhances their playability, opportunities for drawing, and potential to accumulate equity in a hand.
Suited Broadway pairs are vastly superior candidates for re-raises than their off-suit counterparts due to this added playability. flat Many novice players tend to overvalue AX hands (where X can be any card). They falsely assume that holding an Ace guarantees strength and value. connector hands, as the immediate pot odds However, by playing excessive AX combinations, you simply set yourself up to be beaten by stronger AX hands. Therefore, it’s crucial to cultivate the discipline to know when to let go of top pairs that have weak kickers during aggressive confrontations.
The strength of suited AX combinations rises significantly, as they can create flush draws that may dominate other flushes. In contrast, off-suit AX offers limited playability since flush opportunities are non-existent, and other situational factors may emerge depending on the strength of your hand. big blind Avoid the trap of overindulging in AX off-suit hands! Keep in mind that they outnumber suited variants by threefold (12 vs 4 combos) and perform poorly post-flop.
They make for competent bluff candidates in 3-bets or 4-bets due to their ability to block certain AA/AK combinations while also possessing some viability in post-flop situations. EV Overall, minimize your involvement with AX combinations preflop, and consider integrating suited baby Aces into your 3-bet bluffing range. Additionally, ensure you recognize the right moments to relinquish a top pair with a weak kicker when met with significant aggression.
- The true advantage of suited connectors lies in their ability to morph into strong hands such as straights and flushes. However, more often than not, players will land on middle pairs or weak draws.
In such instances, it's important to be comfortable folding or exercising control over the pot post-flop.
- Since you want to avoid inflating the pot out of position with subpar hands, suited connectors tend to fare better when you’re seated in position.
- They excel due to their potential to capture large pots against early-position ranges that frequently include overpairs, thanks to their ability to hit straights or flushes.
Consequently, suited connectors are regarded as a hand type that carries favorable implied odds—allowing a little investment preflop in hopes of reaping a substantial pot afterwards.