Poker Starting Hand Guide
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Recreation Sports -> subcategory Gambling Casinos.
Poker Starting Hand Guide
Introduction
Texas Hold'em poker is a game that takes just minutes to learn, but mastering it can take years. Success begins with the first two cards you're dealt. Knowing when to play or fold is the first crucial step to winning consistently. Here, we'll explore different starting hands and how to play them, assuming you're playing at a table with seven or more players and are relatively new to the game.
The Big Hands
If you receive any of the following hands, you should confidently raise when it’s your turn to bet. If someone has already raised the pot, consider re-raising.
- AA (Pocket Aces)
- KK (Pocket Kings)
- QQ (Pocket Queens)
- AK (Ace-King)
The Limp Hands
For upper-level pairs like eights, nines, tens, or jacks, it's wise to "limp" into the pot by calling the minimum bet. However, if the pot is raised, consider folding, as you might be outmatched. Some players will limp with lower pairs, but this is something you'll learn as you gain more experience.
The Connectors
Sometimes, you’ll want to limp with hands that have potential, especially when you're in the blinds or in a late position. If the pot is raised, it's usually best to fold.
These hands include:
- AQ (Ace-Queen)
- AJ (Ace-Jack)
- AT (Ace-Ten)
- KQ (King-Queen)
- KJ (King-Jack)
- QJ (Queen-Jack)
- JT (Jack-Ten)
These hands increase in value when suited, due to the possibility of a flush or straight flush.
Final Tips
New players often get into trouble with these hands due to "face card envy." Learning when to fold is crucial for increasing your profits. Hands not listed here should generally be folded. However, occasionally, on the button, you might try a speculative hand like 65s (suited). Early on, it’s best to play tight. As you improve, you can start expanding your range.
By mastering when to play and when to fold, you'll set a solid foundation for your poker game. Good luck at the table!
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Poker Starting Hand Guide.
You can browse and read all the articles for free. If you want to use them and get PLR and MRR rights, you need to buy the pack. Learn more about this pack of over 100 000 MRR and PLR articles.