Poker Master: [POKERHOLICS - Also at Myspace!!] No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Starting Hands

A starting hand is a term to describe the playable nature of the two downcards dealt pre-flop in Texas Hold `Em (see more poker rules here). There are numerous theories and chartson starting hand strategy ranging from tight play to aggressive play.The purpose of this article is to give the beginner a set of guidelinesto follow to avoid difficult situations post flop.

The key to determining your starting hands for Texas Hold `Em liesin what position you sit at the table. At a full table of 9, the button is the last player to act in a given betting round and the small blind is the first (except in the first round where the UTG or under-the-gun player is first to act. The UTG player is the first player after the big blind.)Thisis important as you can play with a wider range of hands in the laterpositions and should play a tighter set of hands in the openingpositions.

Note: You should vary your play in terms oflimp/call/raise to avoid giving away information about what you areholding. For instance, if you only ever raise AA/KK preflop in earlyposition, then an observant opponent will know what you have when youraise preflop in early position.

Early Position	Unraised Pot	When Raised
AA - TT	Raise Mostly	Reraise QQ+ ; Call rest
99 - 88	Raise Sometimes	Call
77 - 22	Limp Mostly	Call
AQ, AK	Raise Mostly	Call
AJ, KQ	Raise Sometimes	Call or Fold

Middle Position	Unraised Pot	When Raised
AA - 22	Raise Mostly	Reraise QQ+ ; Call Others
AK, AQ, AJ	Raise Mostly	Reraise AK; Call Others
KQ, KJ	Raise Mostly	Call
QJ, JT	Raise Mostly	Call or Fold
Aks - T9s	Raise Mostly	Call or Fold

Late Position (Folded Around)	Unraised Pot	When Raised
AA - 22	Raise Mostly	Reraise QQ+ ; Call Others
Ax	Raise Mostly	Reraise AQ+; Call Others
Kx	Raise Mostly	Call or Fold
Any 2 b'ways	Raise Mostly	Call or Fold
Ako - 87o	Raise Mostly	Call or Fold

Late Position (Some Limpers)	Unraised Pot	When Raised
AA - TT	Raise Mostly	Reraise QQ+ ; Call Others
Axs	Raise Mostly	Call
AK, AQ, AJ	Raise Mostly	Reraise AQ+; Call Others
KQ, QJ	Raise Mostly	Call or Fold

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