Texas Holdem Starting Hands
LEGEND
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playable in any position |
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Playable in mid to late position |
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Playable in late position only |
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Totally unplayable hand |
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There are only 169 starting hand combinations in Texas Hold'em and the importance of when and in what position to play them is an essential component of successful poker play.
The tables below make understanding these starting hands fairly simple to get a grasp on. Below is an image that shows table position: |
Pairs and Suited Cards
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K-Q |
Q-J |
J-T |
T-9 |
9-8 |
8-7 |
7-6 |
6-5 |
5-4 |
4-3 |
3-2 |
K-K |
A-Q |
K-J |
Q-T |
J-9 |
T-8 |
9-7 |
8-6 |
7-5 |
6-4 |
5-3 |
4-2 |
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Q-Q |
A-J |
K-T |
Q-9 |
J-8 |
T-7 |
9-6 |
8-5 |
7-4 |
6-3 |
5-2 |
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J-J |
A-T |
K-9 |
Q-8 |
J-7 |
T-6 |
9-5 |
8-4 |
7-3 |
6-2 |
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T-T |
A-9 |
K-8 |
Q-7 |
J-6 |
T-5 |
9-4 |
8-3 |
7-2 |
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9-9 |
A-8 |
K-7 |
Q-6 |
J-5 |
T-4 |
9-3 |
8-2 |
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8-8 |
A-7 |
K-6 |
Q-5 |
J-4 |
T-3 |
9-2 |
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7-7 |
A-6 |
K-5 |
Q-4 |
J-3 |
T-2 |
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6-6 |
A-5 |
K-4 |
Q-3 |
J-2 |
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5-5 |
A-4 |
K-3 |
Q-2 |
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4-4 |
A-3 |
K-2 |
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3-3 |
A-2 |
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2-2 |
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Unsuited Cards
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Q-J |
J-1O |
T-9 |
9-8 |
8-7 |
7-6 |
6-5 |
5-4 |
4-3 |
3-2 |
A-Q |
K-J |
Q-T |
J-9 |
T-8 |
9-7 |
8-6 |
7-5 |
6-4 |
5-3 |
4-2 |
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A-J |
K-T |
Q-9 |
J-8 |
T-7 |
9-6 |
8-5 |
7-4 |
6-3 |
5-2 |
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A-T |
K-9 |
Q-8 |
J-7 |
T-6 |
9-5 |
8-4 |
7-3 |
6-2 |
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A-9 |
K-8 |
Q-7 |
J-6 |
T-5 |
9-4 |
8-3 |
7-2 |
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A-8 |
K-7 |
Q-6 |
J-5 |
T-4 |
9-3 |
8-2 |
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A-7 |
K-6 |
Q-5 |
J-4 |
T-3 |
9-2 |
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A-6 |
K-5 |
Q-4 |
J-3 |
T-2 |
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A-5 |
K-4 |
Q-3 |
J-2 |
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A-4 |
K-3 |
Q-2 |
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A-3 |
K-2 |
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A-2 |
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Table position and it's importance in Texas Holdem strategy cannot be overstated. The lack of understanding of the concept of position is the downfall of many a beginning poker player. Knowing your Holdem starting hands along with an understanding of position will ensure you are playing solid Texas Holdem and advancing your poker game to the next level to maximise your poker playing profit. Good luck at the tables, you will now need a little less of the luck factor once you have the principle of position and starting hands firmly established in your poker technique!
Start at low limit poker games and although they are much looser, it will give you the experience you need to achieve a solid poker game. There is no easy route to poker success, it takes hard work and don't let anyone tell you otherwise, but having the appropriate poker tools, knowledge and poker strategies adds to your success rate as a winning poker player.
Monetising your poker playing requires time and dedication. These days being a pro poker player is not as frowned upon as a profession than it was in the 70's. The game of poker has also been cleaned up a lot and entices an air of respectability, with poker pros in the spotlight receiving almost rock star like attention with the advent of media attention via such shows as the World Poker Tour, ESPN airing the World Series of Poker and newer shows such as Poker After Dark, the European Poker Tour and Celebrity Poker enjoying huge popularity with television audiences worldwide.
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