Hold'em Starting Hands

The most crucial decision you make in a Texas Hold'em game is whether you will play your hole cards or not.

Here's a list of the best, and those that are good enough, starting hands when playing Holdem poker:

The Strongest Starting Hands:

PAIR of HIGH CARDS - AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 1010
ACE and HIGH CARD SUITED - AK(S), AQ(S), AJ(S), A10(S)
FACES SUITED - KQ(S), KJ(S), QJ(S)
ACE KING - AK

Medium Strength Starting Hands:

FACE TEN SUITED - K10(S), Q10(S), J10(S)
MEDIUM PAIRS - 99, 88, 77
TWO HIGH CARDS - AQ, AJ, A10 (ace king ranks higher, above), KQ down to J10
ACE and MEDIUM SUITED - A9(S), A8(S), A7(S)
MEDIUM SUITED CONNECTORS (No Gap/One Gap) - J9(S), 109(S), 108(S), 98(S), 97(S) down to 75(S)

When you receive these starting hands, it's pretty safe to play them for the pot. But of course you have to play it wise. There are still the flop, the turn, and the river to consider.

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Poker, Texas Holdem, No Limit Holdem, Limit Holdem