Starting Hand Selection

Starting hand selection is, in my opinion, the first concept any No Limit Texas Hold'em player should learn. Starting hand selection is something best followed by beginners all of the time, and by all other players most of the time. You will develop your own style of play, but the following will be excellent guidelines (I suggest you study and memorize the entire gold/bold area):

First off, let's define positions-

EARLY POSITION: At a ten person table, this would be small blind, big blind, and the first to act. (1,2,3)

MIDDLE POSITION: At a ten person table, this would be (from the button) 4,5,6, and 7.

LATE POSITION: At a ten person table, this would be seats 8,9, "Button" (last to act).

The following hands can be played in early, middle, or late position:

PAIRS- AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 10 10, 9 9
SUITED- A x (any), KQ , KJ, K10, QJ, J10, 10 9, AK, AQ
UNSUITED- AK, AQ

The following can be added to the aforementioned and are playable in middle or late position:

PAIRS- ANY!
SUITED- K x (any), 9 8, 8 7
UNSUITED- AJ, A10, KQ, KJ, QJ, J10, 10 9

The following can be added to both of the sections above and are playable in late position only:

SUITED- Q x (any), J9, 10 8, 9 7, 8 6, 7 6, 7 5, 6 5, 6 4, 5 4, 5 3, 4 3
UNSUITED- A 9, K 10, Q 10, J 9, 10 8, 9 8, 9 7, 8 7, 8 6, 7 6, 7 5

Why not just play all cards? The reasoning is simple, if you were to play every hand, you would end up losing all of you chips because generally you don't even pair up. Even if you do, unless it is top pair, it is probably no good (even then DO NOT overvalue having top pair). If you played each and every hand, you would essentially lose all your chips by just seeing the flop. Test the theory on a FREE online game. You will see how fast you go broke.

I am sure by now you are asking "Why are certain cards played in certain positions?" The reasoning behind this concept is by picking your battles you limit the amount of blinds committed and won't go broke by being frivolous. It is strategic.

Why relax your starting hand criteria? Relaxing your qualifications for cards played in later position is done because the likelihood of them getting raised is diminished. Conversely, leading off in early position with a strong hand allows you to call the raises that might occur from later positions.

This is a lot of information I realize, but remembering this (and living by it) puts you ahead of most amateur players. Test it out, practice with it, and by all means alter it to work best for your style of play.

Until next time...