Hand Selection Fundamentals
The single most impactful skill for a new poker player is learning which hands to play preflop. Playing too many hands is the #1 leak at low stakes. Tightening your preflop ranges immediately makes you harder to play against and reduces the number of tough post-flop decisions you face.
Hand Categories
- Premium pairs (AA, KK, QQ): Always raise. These hands are profitable from any position against any number of opponents.
- Strong pairs (JJ, TT): Raise from any position. Be cautious if you face a 3-bet — against tight players, JJ and TT can be in trouble against their range.
- Medium pairs (99-66): Open-raise from middle position onward. Call raises to set-mine (trying to flop three of a kind) when you have good implied odds.
- Small pairs (55-22): Play from late position or call raises to set-mine when stacks are deep. You'll hit a set about 12% of the time.
- Big broadway (AK, AQ, AJs, KQs): Strong hands from any position. AK suited is essentially a premium hand.
- Suited connectors (87s, 76s, 65s): Play from late position. Great for implied odds in multiway pots.
- Suited aces (A5s-A2s): Play from late position. The nut flush potential gives them hidden strength.
Position Matters More Than Cards
A mediocre hand on the button is often more profitable than a decent hand under the gun. Position gives you information — you act last, you see what everyone else does before making your decision. This is why your opening range should widen dramatically as you move from early to late position.
- Under the Gun (UTG): Top 10-15% — only premium and strong hands
- Middle Position: Top 15-20% — add medium pairs, suited broadways
- Cutoff: Top 25-30% — add suited connectors, more broadway combos
- Button: Top 35-45% — widest range, you have position on everyone
- Small Blind: Tighten back up — you'll be out of position post-flop
Check the Starting Hands Chart for a visual grid showing exactly which hands to play from each position.
Adjustments
These ranges are starting points. Adjust based on your opponents: tighten against aggressive 3-bettors, widen against passive players who fold too much, and tighten from the blinds against late-position opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best starting hand in poker?
Pocket Aces (AA) is the best starting hand. It wins ~85% against any single random hand preflop. Pocket Kings (KK) is second, followed by Pocket Queens (QQ) and Ace-King suited (AKs).
How many starting hands should I play?
This depends on your position and style. A tight player in early position might play only the top 10-12% of hands. On the button, you can profitably play 30-40% of hands because you'll have position post-flop.
Should I play suited connectors?
Suited connectors like 7♥8♥ or 9♠T♠ are playable from late position and in multiway pots. They have good implied odds because they can make straights and flushes that are hard for opponents to see coming. Avoid them from early position or when facing raises.