What Poker Hands To Play Preflop

By now, you must agree that one of the most crucial decisions a player has to make in a game of Texas Hold’em is which hands to play preflop. Preflop refers to the stage of the poker game before the first three community cards, also known as the flop, are dealt. Discovering what poker hands to play preflop helps in making the right decisions during this phase. This can greatly impact a player’s chances of success in the game.

To become a skilled poker player, it’s essential that a player acquires knowledge about the hands to play and when to fold based on the positions at the table. Understanding how the position affects the value of poker hands is crucial. Furthermore, in addition to understanding the poker hierarchy, playable hands, and table positions, a poker player must consider various factors like the number of players involved, the position and playing style of each player, and the actions taken by others prior to their turn. With this article, we will help you explore the different factors to be considered when deciding which poker hands to play preflop.

Starting Hand Selection For Preflop | What Poker Hands To Play Preflop?

When it comes to playing a successful game of poker, it’s crucial to make smart decisions about which hands to play and which ones to fold. In Texas Holdem, the following hands are considered the best when the question ‘what poker hands to play preflop is asked’:

The Best Hands in Texas Hold’em

Big Pocket Pairs: AA-TT

One of the strongest starting hands in Texas Hold’em is a big pocket pair, consisting of two of the same rank cards. The highest-ranking pocket pair is a pair of aces (AA), followed by kings (KK), queens (QQ), jacks (JJ), and so on. These hands have great potential for making strong pairs, three of a kind, or even a full house or four of a kind on the flop, turn, or river.

Big Suited Connectors: AK, AQ, AJ, KQ

Big suited connectors refer to hands that are of the same suit and connected in rank. Hands like Ace-King (AK), Ace-Queen (AQ), Ace-Jack (AJ), and King-Queen (KQ) fall into this category. These hands offer the potential for flushes and straight draws, giving you multiple ways to win a hand.

Big Connectors: AK, AQ, AJ, KQ

Similar to big-suited connectors, big connectors are not suited but are still connected in rank. Ace-King (AK), Ace-Queen (AQ), Ace-Jack (AJ), and King-Queen (KQ) fall under this category. Although not as strong as big suited connectors, these hands still have great potential to make strong pairs or hit straight draws.

Why These Hands Are the Best?

These particular combinations of cards have the best chances of winning compared to other hands. When you stick to playing these hands, you put yourself in more profitable situations after the flop. While it is possible to play other combinations of cards successfully, beginners are advised to stick with the big cards until they gain more experience at the poker table.

Position Strategy For Preflop

Understanding the Importance of Position

In the game of Texas Holdem, your position at the poker table plays a crucial role in determining your strategic decisions. This is particularly true in the preflop betting round, where the small and big blind positions are the last to act. However, the principles of position remain consistent throughout the game. By understanding and leveraging your position effectively, you can gain a significant advantage over your opponents.

Playing Stronger Hands in Late Positions

One key aspect of the preflop position strategy is playing stronger hands when you have late positions, such as the button or the cutoff. When you are one of the last players to act, you have the benefit of having more information about your opponents’ actions. This allows you to make more informed decisions and potentially play a wider range of hands.

While the list of top starting hands provided earlier can be played from almost any position, it is advisable to tighten up your starting hand selection in the earlier positions. As a general rule, you can afford to loosen up your starting hand requirements in later positions, as you have a positional advantage over your opponents.

Being Cautious in Early Positions

Conversely, when you find yourself in early positions, such as the small blind or the big blind, it is important to exercise caution and avoid playing too many hands. Acting first in each hand can pose significant challenges, especially if you do not hold a premium hand. It is crucial not to fall into the trap of feeling obligated to enter more pots from these positions simply because you have already committed money to the pot. In such situations, it is often wiser to fold marginal hands and wait for better opportunities where you can play with position.

The Importance of Blind Play

Playing in the blind requires extra caution due to the positional disadvantage. As the small and big blind, you are the first to act in the preflop round and subsequent rounds. This puts you at a significant informational disadvantage, making it harder to make profitable decisions unless you hold a strong hand. It is essential to resist the temptation to defend the blinds too liberally. Instead, prioritize playing strong holdings and be willing to fold when faced with aggressive raises or unfavourable circumstances.

Key Strategy Tips for Preflop Position

To summarize the preflop position strategy, here are some essential tips to remember:

Always try to be aware of your position in a hand. Understanding your position allows you to adjust your strategy accordingly.
Try to avoid playing out of position, especially in early positions, unless you hold a strong hand. Playing out of position can put you at a significant disadvantage throughout the hand.
You can afford to loosen up your starting hand requirements in later positions, leveraging your positional advantage to play a wider range of hands.
Do not feel committed to playing hands when in the blinds. Exercise caution and prioritize playing strong holdings rather than defending the blinds with marginal hands.

Best Starting Hands in Texas Hold’em Poker

In Texas Hold’em poker, starting hands are crucial to set the tone for the rest of the hand. The strength of your starting hand can significantly influence your chances of winning the hand. Based on the information provided, here is a ranked list of some of the best starting hands in Texas Hold’em:

Ace-Ace (Pocket Aces): The strongest starting hand. Play aggressively to build the pot and maximize your winnings.

King-King (Pocket Kings): Second-best starting hand. Raise pre-flop to narrow the field and avoid getting outdrawn.

Queen-Queen (Pocket Queens): A strong hand pre-flop, but be cautious if overcards appear on the flop.

Ace-King (Suited): A premium hand, known as Big Slick. Play aggressively, especially if suited.

Jack-Jack (Pocket Jacks): Strong hand pre-flop, but be wary of overcards on the board.

10-10 (Pocket Tens): Considered strong, but cautious play may be needed depending on the action.

Ace-Queen (Suited): Also known as Big Chick, a good drawing hand. Play cautiously if the board is unfavorable.

Ace-Jack (Suited): Be cautious if facing significant pre-flop raises; you might be dominated by higher Ace hands.

Ace-Ten: A decent hand with the potential for a straight, but be careful if it’s unsuited.

King-Jack and Queen-Jack (Suited/Unsuited): Decent hands, but don’t be afraid to fold if facing big bets.

Additional Tips On What Poker Hands To Play Preflop

Here are some additional tips for playing poker before the flop:

Adjusting Your Starting Hand Requirements: In a shorthanded game like a 6-max table, it’s beneficial to loosen your starting hand requirements. This allows you to participate in more flops and seize potential opportunities to win money. By adhering strictly to the starting hand requirements mentioned earlier, you might find yourself folding too frequently, missing out on profitable situations. Hence, it’s reasonable to consider playing hands like AT, KJ, KT, and QJ among others.

Assessing Your Opponents: When deciding what to do before the flop, take into account the playing styles of your opponents. If you observe a tight player making a raise, it’s likely they hold a strong hand. Consequently, you should reevaluate the strength of your own cards in response. On the other hand, if a loose player raises, it could be profitable to call with a decent hand, as you might have a stronger hand than them.

Embracing Aggressiveness: Don’t shy away from making bets or raises before the flop. Aggression is an essential aspect of successful poker play adopted by skilled players. If you hesitate to make strategic bets and raises when appropriate, you’ll end up making unprofitable decisions and struggle to win money. To become more comfortable with being aggressive, consider playing at lower stakes where the financial risks are reduced. This will help you appreciate the advantages of an aggressive style over a weaker playing style.