Poker starting hands guide

How to play the right cards at the right time

The basic idea of poker is to play the strongest hands in early position, good hands in mid-position and a few more hands in the late (aka strongest) position.

Over time, you'll naturally want to shake things up a bit. For now, stick with this and you'll never find yourself in trouble holding 7-2 off-suit.

Hole cards	Late	Middle	Early/Blinds
Ace Ace	Re-raise	Raise	Raise
Ace King	Re-raise	Raise	Raise
Ace Queen	Re-raise	Raise	Raise
Ace Jack	Play	Play	Check/Fold
Ace Ten	Play	Suited	Check/Fold
Ace Nine	Suited	Check/Fold	Check/Fold
Ace Two	Suited	Check/Fold	Check/Fold
King King	Re-raise	Raise	Raise
King Queen	Re-raise	Play	Check/Fold
King Jack	Play	Suited	Check/Fold
King Ten	Play	Check/Fold	Check/Fold
King Nine	Play	Check/Fold	Check/Fold
Queen Queen	Re-raise	Raise	Raise
Queen Jack	Play	Suited	Check/Fold
Queen Ten	Play	Check/Fold	Check/Fold
Queen Nine	Play	Check/Fold	Check/Fold
Jack Jack	Re-raise	Raise	Play
Jack Ten	Re-raise	Suited	Check/Fold
Ten Ten	Re-raise	Play	Play
Ten Nine	Suited	Suited	Check/Fold
Nine Nine	Play	Play	Check/Fold
Seven Seven	Play	Play	Check/Fold
Six Six	Play	Check/Fold	Check/Fold
Two Two	Play	Check/Fold	Check/Fold

Re-raise

Re-raise

You're in a strong position here, so go for it. This is your chance to take control.

Raise

Raise

You've got good cards in a good position. see if you can make them count with a solid and confident raise.

Play

Play

Play these cards, but watch out - your opponents' may be stronger. If people are raising in front of you, you may have to fold.

Suited

Suited

Only play these cards if they're the same suit.

Check/Fold

Check/Fold

If you have the opportunity to see the flop for free, check, if not fold your hand.

Table positions

Examples

A

Player A is in an early position and has been dealt A-K suited. Player A should raise to test the resolve of the other players at the table.

B

Player A is in a middle position and has been dealt A-5. All other players check, Player A checks also, but a player in the late position, raises. Player A should fold.

C

Player A is in a late position and has been dealt A-A. Player A should raise or re-raise to dictate the terms of the betting pre-flop.

Suited connectors

Includes hands like 8-7 suited or Q-J suited.

These have the potential to make both straights and flushes, but can get you into trouble. Fold if the flop isn't kind.