Texas Hold'em starting hands: which to play and which to fold

In Texas Hold'em the most important decision you make is often the first one: whether to play your two cards at all. Good players fold most of their hands before the flop. Here's a simple way to choose.

Premium hands: raise

These are the best starting hands. Raise with them from any seat.

• A-A, K-K, Q-Q, J-J
• A-K (suited or not)

Strong hands: usually raise

Play these from most seats, and raise when no one has raised before you.

• 10-10, 9-9
• A-Q, A-J suited, K-Q suited

Playable from late position

Position means when you act. The later you act, the more you know about what others have done. From the last seats (the button and the seat before it) you can also play:

• Smaller pairs (8-8 down to 2-2)
• Suited aces (A-9 suited down to A-2 suited)
• Suited connectors like 9-8 suited and 8-7 suited
• K-J, Q-J, J-10

Usually fold

• Unsuited low cards like 9-4 or 7-2
• Weak aces like A-7 unsuited from early seats
• Any two cards just because they are the same suit

Common beginner mistakes

• Playing too many hands. Folding is fine.
• Ignoring position. The same hand is worth more in a late seat.
• Calling raises with weak aces. A-K and A-Q dominate them.
• Chasing every draw. If the price is high and the chance is low, let it go.

Hand rankings refresher

Not sure whether a flush beats a straight? See our poker hand rankings guide, then put it into practice.

Practise free

Take a seat in the All In Card Room against five computer players. No-limit Texas Hold'em, buy-ins from 20 virtual coins, free to play.