The top 10 starting hands in Texas Hold'em poker

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Once you take a seat at a Texas Hold'em poker table and receive your dealt cards, you are already faced with a difficult decision: should you play your hand or not? Regardless of the numerous other factors, such as your chip stack, the blind level, and the number of players involved, there are 10 poker starting hands in Texas Hold'em that allow you to make a call or even a raise without much hesitation. Here, we present to you the top 10 No Limit Hold'em poker starting hands and provide you with additional important tips for the pre-flop game.

Additional valuable tips for Texas Hold'em:

  • As a beginner, you should first take a look at our guide. The rule of poker Read the guide
  • If you're searching for the value of poker hands, you are in the right place. here correctly stored
  • In addition, we have numerous other helpful poker Instructions for you

The 10 best starting hands

  • 1. Pair of Asse

    Paar Asse

    A pair of aces as starting hands are also called "Pocket Rockets" and are naturally the strongest poker starting hand in all Hold'em variations. Pre-flop, you are a high favorite with pocket aces, but your chances of winning decrease with each opponent who remains in the game. Therefore, it is recommended to raise at least three times the big blind with a pair of aces as starting hands.

  • 2. Pair of Royals

    Paar Könige

    The poker hand known as "the Cowboys" is the second-best starting hand. Only a pair of aces is considered superior to this hand, which is why you should play the kings aggressively before the flop. However, keep in mind that a pair of kings wins against a hand with an ace in less than 70% of cases. Remember to maintain a cautious approach as you evaluate the potential outcomes and strategies of this hand.

  • 3. Pair of ladies

    Paar Damen

    The "Pocket Queens", a pair of ladies, form the third-best starting hand in poker. Before the flop, the hand is extremely strong, but the decline after the flop is significant. Any combination with an ace or a king has the potential to easily beat the queens. That is why you should always raise with this hand before the flop.

  • 4. Ass-König Suited

    Ass-König Suited

    The superior starting hand in the game of poker is the combination of an ace and a king, which does not consist of a pair. Despite the perception that this hand appears promising but rarely wins, it is actually a very strong suited hand that beats all pairs except aces and kings in approximately 50% of cases.

  • 5. Pair of jacks

    Paar Buben

    Playing a pair of jacks, commonly referred to as "pocket jacks," is considered particularly challenging. Naturally, this hand is favored over any smaller pair and beats any hand that does not consist of two overcards in over 50% of cases. However, unlike aces, kings, or even queens, when holding pocket jacks, you must pay much more attention to your position and the raises or re-raises from your opponents.

  • 6. Pair of Zehnen

    Paar Zehnen

    Playing pocket tens correctly can be just as tricky as with pocket boys. If you find yourself in a late position and there has already been plenty of action at the table with raises and re-raises, it's likely that an opponent is holding two overcards or a higher pair. In such cases, it might even be appropriate to fold this hand. However, if no player has acted before you, it's worth giving it a shot with a small to medium pre-flop raise.

  • 7. Ass-Dame Suited

    Ass-Dame Suited

    A blend of an ace and queen in the same suit often represents the strongest starting hand at the table. In general, you should always play this hand and confidently call small to medium raises before the flop. However, if you fail to hit a pair or a draw on the flop, don't hesitate for long when facing an opponent's bet and swiftly fold your hand.

  • 8. King Offsuit

    Ass-König Offsuit

    Given the lower chances of hitting a flush, the hand is considered significantly weaker than A-K suited; however, it still ranks as the eighth strongest starting hand in Texas Hold'em Poker. With this hand, you have a 40% chance of winning the game if no opponent holds a pair of aces or kings.

  • 9. Ass-Bube Suited

    Ass-Bube Suited

    Having a suited Ace-Jack is definitely a strong hand, especially considering the potential for a nuts flush or even a royal flush. However, it's important to note that there are numerous opponents who can easily beat your hand. Any pair from 10 and above, as well as an Ace-King or Ace-Queen combination, should be considered a favorite against this hand.

  • 10. König-Dame Suited

    König-Dame Suited

    The combination of King-Queen Suited is considered one of the top 10 starting hands in poker, providing better odds of winning compared to hands like A-10 Suited or 9-9. However, it is crucial to exercise caution and not play this hand in every situation. It is advisable to fold, especially when in a disadvantageous position or when there is a significant amount of pre-flop action at the table.

Poker Hand Selection: Which hands should one play?

Poker Handauswahl
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Playing Texas Hold'em Poker requires patience above all else. Beginners often make the mistake of not wanting to miss any opportunity to win a big pot and end up playing far too many hands. However, the key to success in Texas Hold'em Poker lies in selecting good hands. It is crucial to always know precisely in which situations you can play certain hands and when it is better to fold pre-flop. Remember, a strategic hand selection can significantly increase your chances of winning in this game.

The most important information and rules regarding hand selection:

  • There are 167 different starting hands, of which only 20% are even playable.
  • If no player has played before you, you can play any of these 20% of hands.
  • If there have been raises or even re-raises before it's your turn, you should only call if you have one of the top 5 to 10 starting hands in poker.
  • Also, pay attention to your position, the chip stack of your opponents, and, if it's a poker tournament, the phase of the tournament, to narrow down or expand your poker hand selection.

Once you adhere to this guideline, you will promptly realize that you are developing an intuition for which pre-flop combinations you can play, as these will consistently yield profits for you, while it makes no sense to call with certain combinations. Once you internalize all of this, it will pay off handsomely for you at the poker tables.

The 20% of the playable poker hands

If you want to have a thorough understanding of which poker hands are playable and which are not, regardless of position and other external influences, then it is imperative for you to closely examine the following list of poker starting hands: - First and foremost, it is crucial to remember that pocket aces, also known as pocket rockets, are considered the most powerful starting hand in the game of poker. - In addition to pocket aces, pocket kings are also highly esteemed and are often referred to as cowboys. - Following closely behind are pocket queens, which are commonly known as ladies. - Another strong starting hand is pocket jacks, often referred to as hooks. - Pocket tens, also known as dimes, are considered a respectable starting hand in the game of poker. - Moving down the list, pocket nines and pocket eights remain in the category of playable starting hands. - Similarly, pocket sevens, pocket sixes, and pocket fives can be considered as viable starting hands in certain situations. - Lastly, pocket fours and pocket threes can be cautiously played, depending on the context of the game. - However, it is generally recommended to avoid playing with pocket twos, as they are considered the weakest starting hand in poker. By familiarizing yourself with this comprehensive list of poker starting hands, you will have a solid foundation for making informed decisions and navigating the complexities of the game.

  • Couples: A pair is generally always playable in Texas Hold'em. However, with smaller pairs, you should closely observe the behavior of your opponents. If an opponent has already bet or re-raised you, they likely have a higher pair or two overcards.
  • Combination with Ace (Suited): Every suited combination with an Ace is playable, but caution is advised with small side cards, as another player could have an Ace with a better kicker.
  • Suited connectors: When it comes to suited connectors, it's best to avoid calling high raises or raising in early position. However, a combination of two consecutive cards of the same suit can often be extremely valuable when in a later position.
  • Combining with an Ace (offsuit): A combination with an Ace and an offsuit side card often appears stronger than it actually is. Therefore, only play this hand in a favorable position and with few opponents in the pot.
  • Combination with King (Suited): The King with a side card is considerably weaker than an Ace with a side card. However, you can sometimes play this combination with a side card of 9 or higher if no other player is betting.

Do not play any other poker starting hands!

Frequently asked questions

What are the names of the poker starting hands?

The best and most popular poker starting hands have various nicknames. Poker starting hand names:

American Airlines, also known as "Pocket Rockets" or simply "Rockets," is a popular hand in poker. Anna Kurnikova and Big Slick, a combination of an Ace and a King, are another strong pair. When you have a hand with an Ace and a Queen, it's called "Little Slick" or "Big Chick." Black Jack, or simply "Ajax," is the name given to a hand with an Ace and a Jack. A combination of an Ace and a 9 is often referred to as a "Rounders hand" or "McDerment." "High Five" is the nickname for a hand with an Ace and a 5, while Acey Deucey is the term used for a hand with an Ace and a 2. Cowboys, also known as "King Kong," represent a pair of Kings. When you have a King and a Queen, it's called a "Marriage," and a King and a Jack is known as "Kojack." Bitches or "Four Tits" refers to a pair of Queens. Dimes represent a hand with two 10s, while Phil Hellmuth is the term used for a pair of 9s. Snowmen or "Fat Ladies" are a pair of 8s.

What are the best starting hands in poker?

Above on this page, you will discover a compilation of the top ten Texas Hold'em poker starting hands. There are additional strong hands that didn't make it onto the top ten list, such as pairs, suited combinations with an ace, and suited connectors.

When do I have a good position?

Position play is of utmost importance in Texas Hold'em Poker. Playing most hands is only viable when you find yourself in a favorable position. The general rule is that the later you are in the betting round, the better your position is. Consequently, the player with the dealer button and the player to their right are in the prime positions at the poker table. On the other hand, the two blinds have the least advantageous position.

How can I calculate poker probabilities?

As an aspiring player, both novices and advanced individuals, it is crucial to acquire the skill of computing probabilities at the poker table in order to gauge your chances of winning the hand. This aids you in determining whether it is wise to call a raise, or how much you should raise by. Additional details on this subject can be found in our comprehensive Poker Odds Guide.

Where is the best place to play online poker?

If you have acquired new knowledge here and would like to try it out while playing online, we have the best poker sites for you, available to players from Ireland. Take a look at our comprehensive overview of online poker reviews for all reputable providers.

Alle Tipps und Strategies von poker-6.com:
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    5. Top 10 tips
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  2. Basic strategies
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    1. Chances of winning & odds
    2. Position
    3. The bluff
    4. Semi Bluffs
    5. Protect leaves
    6. 5-10 rule
    7. I can control
    8. Komfortlevel
    9. Value Bets
    10. River Play
    11. Turn Play
    12. Heads Up
  3. Strategies for advanced users
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    1. Implied Pot Odds
    2. Reverse Implied Odds
    3. Short Stacks
    4. Mistakes in the Limit Ascension
    5. game schedule
    6. Way Forward, Way Behind
    7. Blinds
    8. Draws
    9. Expected value
    10. Preflop
    11. Ranges
  4. Online Poker
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    1. Online Sit'n'Gos
    2. Online MTTs
    3. Online Cash Games
    4. Online Freerolls
    5. Poker Bonus Guide
    6. Zoom
    7. Spin & Go
    8. Multi-Tabling
    9. Rake
    10. Rakeback
    11. Poker Software
  5. Live Poker
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    1. Live tournaments
    2. Online vs Offline
    3. All the major live tournaments
  6. Psychology and mindset
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    1. Tilt
    2. Bad Beats
    3. Tells
  7. Other Poker Variants
      Andere Poker Varianten
    1. Omaha
    2. Omaha Starthände
    3. 5 Card Draw
    4. Pineapple Poker
    5. 7 Card Stud
    6. Triple Draw Lowball