As poker players we are always looking for ways to improve our chances of making a strong starting hand and avoid getting caught in bad situations. One of the biggest mistakes that inexperienced players make is overplaying weak hands before the flop. This is a common mistake that can cost you big time in the long run. It is important to understand which starting hands are good and which are not so that you can fold when needed. This article will cover the best starting hands in poker and how you should play them based on your position.
The first of the best starting hands is pocket aces. This is the strongest hand in poker pre-flop and it dominates all other starting hands including KK, QQ, and JJ. You should bet aggressively with this hand unless you are facing a very dangerous board or there are too many other players in the pot.
A pair of kings is the second strongest starting hand. Also known as cowboys or ‘King Kong’, this poker hand is a favorite against any other pocket pair. However, if you face an ace on the flop you are in trouble. This hand should be raised pre-flop if you are in late position and suited kings is even better as it can make a royal flush.
Two pairs is the third strongest starting hand in Texas Hold’em. This poker hand has a decent chance of improving on the flop and can win some small pots. It is best to bet with this hand if you are in early position and you have an opponent in late position who has raised 3 bets or more.
Three of a kind is the fourth strongest starting hand in Texas Hold’em. It has a decent chance of improving on the board and can win some medium-sized pots. This poker hand should be played with caution when you are in late position because it is easy to get caught by an opponent with a bigger hand such as a full house or quads.
Four of a kind is a solid starting hand, but it is very difficult to improve on the flop without hitting a straight or flush. This poker hand is better suited for pre-flop betting than a pair of sixes because it has more equity against other hands such as the ace-king and ace-queen.
Suitable ace-king is the fifth-best starting hand and is also called Anna Kournikova or Big Slick. This poker hand is very strong against all pocket pairs except AA and KK. It also has a decent chance of hitting a nit flush.
Jacks are the last of the best starting hands and they are a good choice when you are in late position and your opponent has raised from early position. They are a coin-flip against any unpaired hand and have good equity versus AA-QQ and AK-AQ (suited). This poker hand should be played with caution if your opponent from an early position raises the pot.