STARTING CARDS

Start with Strong Cards.

There is no exact rule as to exactly which cards you should play and which cards you should fold. The truth of the matter is, it depends. More of those pesky details weπve mentioned before. Letπs just take your typical loose passive online game for example.

You should fold most of your starting hands. Letπs repeat that, because it is important. You should fold most of your starting hands. Donπt get involved with mediocre hands. Itπs bad business. Here are some that you can consider playing depending on your table and your comfort level with them.

Pocket Pairs:

Any 2 hole cards that match up, Jh Js for example. Normally these hands are worth playing in most games. Medium to small pocket pairs can be tricky to play correctly. You get dealt pockets rarely enough that you really want to maximize your profit.

High Suited Connectors:

These cards have at least 3 things going for them. They have Flush potential, Straight potential and Top pair top kicker potential. On top of that, whenever the hand reaches its potential it is quite likely the nuts. For example. AK suited is a very strong hand. Also known as Big Slick. You should be betting this aggressively pre-flop. Note that KQ-s isnπt nearly as strong as AK-s. and QJ-s is even weaker. It is very easy to get out kicked or to land your flush draw but get dominated by someone holding A7-s. Be careful playing KQ/QJ-s in early position.

High Cards:

This will encompass the unsuited connectors, like AsKd and the one gapers, like AcQc. These hands have value in your poker arsenal, especially when you hold the A. If these are connected they add value to their potential. Remember, there is no hard fast rule as to which to play. Lotπs of people like to play A/10 and K/9. Thatπs a good thing for the rest of us. Remember, you want to fold most of your hands.

Suited Connectors:

9d/10d for example. These hands are sometimes worth playing from late position. These have straight potential and flush potential. Obviously the higher the connectors are the better. If you are late to act and there are lots of pre-flop callers this is a good time to play this hand. It is fairly weak on its own but it can turn into a giant with the right flop. You are looking for a straight or a flush, or even better a straight flush. I donπt recommend playing this hand if the pot has been raised/re-raised in front of you unless youπve got a great read on your opponents and think that they are raising with junk. Youπre probably way behind already and in most situations you should probably just fold.

Ten Best Starting Hands:

It dose not matter what the suits are of the starting hands. Any combo of suits for these ten hands will work best for you.

10.