This report details the best and worst starting hands. Holdem starting hands refers to the first two hole cards dealt to poker players.
Based on the strength of these 2 cards, the decision to bet and/or stay in the game will be made.For this report, the strength of the starting hands is rated when nine or ten players are at the table. High suited cards are worth a small bet early and depending on the stakes, possibly in late position also.
Best Texas Holdem Starting Hands
- Pair of Aces
- Pair of Kings
- Pair of Queens
- Ace and King: of the same suit.
- Pair of Jacks: unless the flop shows a Queen, King or an Ace.
- Ace and Queen: this suited hand is in the same league as Ace and King.
- King and Queen: if suited-even better, unless the board reveals an Ace.
- Ace and Jack: suited or unsuited may evolve into a winner.
- King and Jack: suited=a Holdem best, however unsuited=not so much.
- Ace and Ten: there is a reason for the #10 rating as this starting hand can tumble by hands #1-9.
In the end, the top ranked possibilities are pocket pairs of Aces to Queens followed by suited cards Ace-King and Ace-Queen.
As the game progresses, the real skill is with your instinctive knowledge of whether to continue betting or not. The ability to recognize and run a bluff is also an essential strategy.
Worst Texas Holdem Starting Hands
- 2-6 Unsuited: The low straight draw possibility is a long shot with this combo.
- 2-7 Unsuited: If you think 2-6 unsuited is useless, this hand can easily be beaten by a pair of eights
- 2-8 Unsuited: The only good news is that a pair of 8s beats a pair of 7s. Nothing to cheer about here.
- 2-9 Unsuited: Toss ‘em. Enough said.
- 2 - 10 Unsuited Possible pair of tens - nah, move on.
- 3-7 Unsuited: Not likely a straight draw, so next hand please.
- 3-8 Unsuited: Unlike #6 above, there's not even a possible straight here.
- 3-9 Unsuited: Probably the worst of the worst here.
- 4-9 Unsuited: Go for the fold here and fight another day.
- 5-9 Unsuited
Notice that all 10 hands above can easily be bettered by a pair of Aces, Kings, Queens or Jacks. The opportunity for a win is slim to none, so walk away fast!