Poker Basics: Starting Hands

Date IconLast Updated: 
Share On Your Network
Poker Basics: Starting Hands

To become an expert poker player you need to learn how to approach the game in the most logical manner. One of the best ways to do this is to see each hand you play as a journey. Essentially, each move you make is like a new step. If you can think about poker in this way, it's easier to make the right moves in every situation.

If you're looking to start as you mean to go on, here's a guide to starting hands in the most popular poker game, Texas Hold'em.

The Start of the Starting Hand

In a nutshell, a starting hand in Texas Hold'em poker consists of two hole cards from a standard deck of 52 playing cards. Thanks to this dynamic, there are 169 possible starting hands, which can be further broken down in 1,326 possible combinations when you consider each different suit.

As there are so many possibilities at the start of a new betting round, you need to consider whether you want to fold, call or raise (or re-raise) with your starting hand based on the following variables:

  • Hand Value | It's important to remember that starting hands' rankings are always relative. Just because the chart says that A-J is a good hand to raise, this is only true if the action before you (and potentially after you) isn't too aggressive. As a general rule, you should use the following mantra: "if it's not good enough to raise with, it's not good enough to call with."
  • Table Position | The position you have at the table will dramatically alter the hands you can play. In general, the closer you are to the button (the most advantageous position on the table as you always get to act last post-flop) the weaker your hand can be. For example, in a full ring game (nine players) you would fold A-T in first position, but you would raise it from the button assuming there wasn't much action before you.
  • Stack Size | Much like table position, the size of your stack will determine whether or not a hand is worth playing. When you have a small stack the amount of post-flop play you have is limited, therefore you have to have a much tighter pre-flop range (i.e. play stronger hands). Conversely, if you've got more chips, you have more options later on in the hand and that means you can be a little more liberal with your starting hand selection.

Putting Your Starting Hand in Context

Before giving the above variables some context, let's quickly look at the hands you should be playing from certain positions if you were in a vacuum at a nine-handed table (i.e. you were alone in isolation):

First Position

  • Raise with: A-A, K-K, A-Ks, Q-Q, A-K, J-J, A-Qs, A-Qo, or A-Js
  • Call with: no hands

Early Position (seats 2-4)

  • Raise with same hands as above, plus: 10-10, A-J, K-Qs
  • Call with: K-Qs

Middle Position (seats 5-7)

  • Raise with same hands as above, plus: K-Qo, K-Js, Q-Js
  • Call with: A-10s, A-10o, K-Jo, Q-Jo, K-10s, 9-9, 8-8

Late Position (seats 8-9)

  • Raise with same hands as above, plus: A-10s, K-10s, K-Jo, Q-Jo, 9-9, 8-8
  • Call with: 77, 6-6, 5-5, Q-10s, Q-10o, K-10o, J-10s, J-10o, J-9s

All things being equal, you should use the above list of options to guide your play. However, let's assume you're in first position with a short stack and an aggressive player behind you.

Given what has been said in the previous section, it would make sense to remove A-Js and A-Qo from your raising range. Although they are still strong hands, they aren't ones that will play well against a raise when you're out of position.

Basically, when you're out of position you always have to act first and that means you never quite know what your opponent is going to do. Therefore, because they will have the upper hand later on, you need to be more conservative with your raises, which would mean something like A-Js being removed from your range.

How to Play the Perfect Hand

To keep things as simple as possible, undertake the following processes before you commit to a pot:

  1. Consult the starting hand chart outlined above.
  2. Consider your position at the table and your stack size.
  3. Ask yourself the following question: "Am I in a strong position overall?"
  4. If the answer is "yes" you should be more inclined to raise or re-raise with each suggested hand.
  5. If the answer is "no" you should be more conservative with your opening range.

In poker there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to starting hands. However, if you take the advice outlined here, you should find that you make fewer missteps at the table and enjoy many more successful journeys through the world of Texas Hold'em Poker.

Recommended Poker Sites

Bell Icon
Affiliate Disclosure: At Gambling.com, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links. More
  1. Our Top Pick
    Official Partner of F1 McLaren Racing Team
    Poker Ambassadors Kevin Hart & Carl Froch
    Earn up to 40% Cashback Every Week
    Bonus Code
    Tooltip The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
    not required
    Payout Time
    Tooltip The usual withdrawal processing time
    1-2 Days
    Rakeback
    Tooltip Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?
    Yes
    WSOP Satellites
    Tooltip Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?
    Yes
    Home Games
    Tooltip Can you set up private online poker games with friends?
    Yes
    One of the pioneers of online poker, PartyPoker was once the world’s biggest poker site and they still host huge online tournaments such as the prestigious MILLIONS series - with a $1million guaranteed main event, plus satellites to PartyPoker live events.
  2. Largest Online Poker Site in the World
    World Series of Poker™ Official Partner
    External Tools & Tracking Software Blocked
    Bonus Code
    Tooltip The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
    not required
    Payout Time
    Tooltip The usual withdrawal processing time
    1-3 Working Days
    Rakeback
    Tooltip Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?
    Yes
    WSOP Satellites
    Tooltip Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?
    Yes
    Home Games
    Tooltip Can you set up private online poker games with friends?
    No
    GG Poker offers award winning features including EV Cashout, Snap Cam, NFT Avatars and Squeeze Cards. You can also play online with GGTeam Pro Players Daniel Negreanu, 'ElkY' Grospellier and Jason Kroon.
  3. 3
    Double Bubble Poker
    Established 2021
    More Details
    'Wild Seat Poker' Texas Hold'em Game
    Instant Play Software (No Download Required)
    Poker Tutorial Videos to Improve Your Play
    Bonus Code
    Tooltip The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
    not required
    Payout Time
    Tooltip The usual withdrawal processing time
    24 Hours
    Rakeback
    Tooltip Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?
    No
    WSOP Satellites
    Tooltip Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?
    No
    Home Games
    Tooltip Can you set up private online poker games with friends?
    No
    Double Bubble Poker is a fun place for beginners with a friendly interface, welcoming hosts and pocket-friendly tournament entry fees starting at just £0.01.
  4. 5
    PokerStars Poker
    Established 2001
    More Details
    Owner & Sponsor of the European Poker Tour
    Official Partner of the Red Bull F1 Racing Team
    Signed Neymar Jr as 'Cultural Ambassador'
    Bonus Code
    Tooltip The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
    STARS400
    Payout Time
    Tooltip The usual withdrawal processing time
    3-5 Days
    Rakeback
    Tooltip Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?
    Yes
    WSOP Satellites
    Tooltip Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?
    No
    Home Games
    Tooltip Can you set up private online poker games with friends?
    Yes
    PokerStars host some of the biggest online poker tournaments including the famous Sunday Million which has a $1million guaranteed prize pool, plus exclusive satellites to the European Poker Tour.
  5. 6
    888 Poker
    Established 1997
    More Details
    'Online Poker Operator of the Year' 2022
    Unique BLAST & SNAP Fast-Fold Games
    Satellites to Exclusive Online XL Series
    Bonus Code
    Tooltip The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
    BIGBONUS
    Payout Time
    Tooltip The usual withdrawal processing time
    1-3 Days
    Rakeback
    Tooltip Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?
    Yes
    WSOP Satellites
    Tooltip Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?
    Yes
    Home Games
    Tooltip Can you set up private online poker games with friends?
    Yes
    With over 10 million registered members, 888poker is one of the world’s largest poker networks and they also have their own live circuit featuring some of the most prestigious poker events in the world, with destinations such as London, Barcelona and Bucharest.
  6. Unique Software & Independent Network
    Qualifiers to Live Unibet Open Tournaments
    'Online Poker Operator of the Year' 2021
    Bonus Code
    Tooltip The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
    not required
    Payout Time
    Tooltip The usual withdrawal processing time
    3-5 Days
    Rakeback
    Tooltip Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?
    Yes
    WSOP Satellites
    Tooltip Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?
    No
    Home Games
    Tooltip Can you set up private online poker games with friends?
    No
    Unibet Poker runs on proprietary software that allows you to change your online poker alias three times a day. They host exclusive satellites to the Unibet Open - a series of live €1,000 poker tournaments held around Europe.
  7. 80 Million Customers in Over 150 Countries
    Regular Tournament Series Events
    Twister Sit & Go's with Jackpot Prize-Pools
    Bonus Code
    Tooltip The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
    not required
    Payout Time
    Tooltip The usual withdrawal processing time
    1-3 Days
    Rakeback
    Tooltip Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?
    Yes
    WSOP Satellites
    Tooltip Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?
    No
    Home Games
    Tooltip Can you set up private online poker games with friends?
    No
    Bet365 Poker offer regular Cash Games, Sit & Gos & Tournaments, plus premium tables where you'll play exclusively against Bet365 players only. They also provide 24/7 customer support.