Lesson 7
Starting Hand Strength
Not all hole cards are equal. Learn which to play, which to fold, and how position changes the answer.
Your two hole cards are your first big decision point. Most beginners play too many hands — and that single mistake is the #1 reason they lose money. The hardest skill in poker is folding.
Premium hands (always raise)
- AA — pocket aces, the best starting hand
- KK — pocket kings, second best
- QQ — pocket queens, still premium
- AKs — Ace-King suited, plays like a pair
- AKo — Ace-King offsuit, raise from anywhere
Strong hands (position-dependent)
- JJ, TT — strong pocket pairs
- AQs, AJs, KQs — solid suited high cards
- 99, 88, 77 — medium pairs, play for set value
Speculative hands (only in late position)
- Suited connectors (87s, 98s, T9s) — flop straights and flushes
- Small pairs (22-66) — play to flop a set
- Suited aces (A2s-A9s) — flush potential
Hands to avoid
- Offsuit rags (72o, 83o, J3o, etc.) — almost never profitable
- Trouble hands from early position: KJ, QJ, AT — they look pretty but get dominated
Heads-up
The single biggest leak in beginner poker is playing too many hands. When in doubt, fold. You’ll save money and learn faster from the hands you do play.