![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/texas-holdem-poker.jpg\" "\\"Texas")
Getting hole cards in Texas Hold\u2019em<\/a> is where all the action starts. As soon as you get to see your cards, you need to act quickly and make the most out of it.<\/p>\nAlthough there are numerous things you should pay attention to, including your opponents, your stack size, your position, and tournament levels, there are a couple of essentials that can apply to every starting hand.<\/p>\n
Therefore, I decided to make a nice little cheat sheet that will help you act in the right direction as soon as the hand starts.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s make a quick rundown of things you\u2019re going to learn in this article:<\/p>\n
On top of that, I also created a helpful FAQ section at the end of this article. Therefore, if you\u2019re ready to improve your Texas Hold\u2019em skill, make sure to carefully read this article!<\/p>\n
<\/i> What Are Starting Hands in Texas Hold\u2019em?<\/span><\/h2>\nWhenever a hand in Texas Hold\u2019em starts, each player will receive two face-down cards from the dealer that only they will be able to see. These cards are later combined with community cards that are revealed after every betting round.<\/p>\n
However, before you are able to make a valid poker hand using community cards, you need to take part in the pre-flop betting round. Essentially, you need to decide what to do based only on your two hole cards.<\/p>\n
This is not an easy task, but it could be facilitated if you stick to some guidelines that are pointed out in this article.<\/p>\n
<\/i> Poker Is All About Odds<\/span><\/h2>\nBefore I proceed with discussing individual hands, I just want to make a short point about poker.\nAlthough Texas Hold\u2019em, as well as many other poker variations<\/a>, is a game of skill, many people don\u2019t deny the element of luck that is present. However, knowing your odds at any point in the game is something that could help you significantly when it comes to choosing your actions.<\/p>\nThat\u2019s why I am going to discuss odds and probabilities with every hand and tell you how these can affect you and other players during a single poker hand.<\/p>\n
<\/i> Playing in Position \u2014 How Your Position at the Table Affects Your Outcome<\/span><\/h2>\nThe position is something you should definitely pay attention to during the pre-flop betting round. Poker players generally divide positions into three main categories: early, mid, and late positions.<\/p>\n
Players who are the first to act are said to be in an \u201cearly<\/em>\u201d position. Those who get to act last are in a \u201clate<\/em>\u201d position. Naturally, those who are in late position usually have a certain advantage as they get to make their decision after seeing what other players decided.<\/p>\nThis is extremely important in the starting hand. While some hands may be playable when you\u2019re in late position, they should be taken out of the equation in early positions.<\/p>\n
<\/i> Pairs \u2014 What to Do When You Get a Pair as a Starting Hand?<\/span><\/h2>\nSince players only receive two hole cards in Texas Hold\u2019em, pair is basically the best thing you can get. Yet, you have to keep in mind that no matter how good things look pre-flop, all of that can change after the flop cards are revealed.<\/p>\n
The rule of thumb is that you should get money if the pot if your pair improves with the flop. However, there\u2019s one thing you need to know \u2014 some pairs are better than others. Therefore, let\u2019s take a look at individual card pairs as your starting hands.<\/p>\n
Pocket Aces<\/span><\/h3>\nPocket aces. The bullets. Pocket rockets. Pocker lovers have been quite creative when it comes to naming a pair of aces, as it is a very welcome sight in poker. In fact, the best combination of hole cards you can receive is pocket aces.<\/p>\n
Statistically speaking, you can only get these once in every 221 hands, meaning you should immediately start working on maximizing the value right away. In other words, the most passive player in the world would make a raise pre-flop with the bullets in their hand.<\/p>\n
![\"Pocket](\"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/pocket-aces-texas-holdem.jpg\" "\\"Pocket")
<\/p>\n
Post-Flop Pocket Aces<\/h3>
Although you cannot get a better hand than a pair of aces, that could change a lot once the initial three cards are revealed on the flop. Usually, if you don\u2019t improve, just make sure not to stack off to insignificant two pairs or sets.<\/p>\n
The good thing about aces is that they are the highest card in poker. Therefore, there\u2019s literally a 0% chance of getting an overcard on the flop.<\/p><\/div>\n
Pocket Kings<\/span><\/h3>\nAfter pocket aces, pocket kings are the second-best starting poker hand. Some very passive and tight players might fold the popular \u201ccowboys\u201d if they\u2019re in a late position and conclude that it\u2019s the best thing to do. However, it doesn\u2019t happen much, and the most logical thing to do is to raise the pot money pre-flop.<\/p>\n
![\"Pocket](\"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/pocket-kings-texas-holdem.jpg\" "\\"Pocket")
<\/p>\n
Post-Flop Pocket Kings<\/h3>
The only thing that you don\u2019t want to find on the flop is an ace, as that significantly increases the chances of someone else creating a pair of aces. However, if you have an overpair, then feel free to add more chips to the pot and get the most from your hand.<\/p>\n
The probability of getting an overcard (in this case an ace) when holding KK is somewhere around 23%.<\/p><\/div>\n
Pocket Queens or Jacks<\/span><\/h3>\nQQ or JJ in your pocket should also mean that you definitely need to play your hand in any position. Yet, these two pairs are pretty much foldable in many situations, especially if you\u2019re in a late position and you see other players making a re-raise. If you decide to call in that situation, you might get in trouble afterwards.<\/p>\n
![\"Pocket](\"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/pocket-queens-or-jacks.jpg\" "\\"Pocket")
<\/p>\n
Post-Flop QQ or JJ<\/h3>
If there was a lot of re-raising on the pre-flop, you should continue with betting on the flop only if you improve your hand. In this case, it\u2019s important to keep an eye on your opponents to see if they show signs of weakness and act accordingly, despite not improving on the flop.<\/p><\/div>\n
Pairs Below Jacks<\/span><\/h3>\nGetting TT, 99, 88 or 77 as hole cards is considered playable in every position. On the other hand, 66 and 55 are only advised to play if you are in a mid or late position. Finally, 44, 33 and 22 should only be considered if you\u2019re in a late position.<\/p>\n
Yet, this is something you shouldn\u2019t take for granted. All hands that are below a pair of jacks are not facing raises or re-raises, especially if you\u2019re in a late position. However, you still want to be careful when raising bets.<\/p>\n
![\"Pair](\"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/pairs-below-jacks-texas-holdem.jpg\" "\\"Pair")
<\/p>\n
Post-Flop with Pairs Below Jacks<\/h3>
If you don\u2019t manage to hit a set when the flop cards are on the table, you should consider folding. The lower your pair is, the greater the chance that someone else has already managed to make a pair that is higher than yours.<\/p><\/div>\n
Odds of Facing an Overcard<\/span><\/h3>\nThe main idea behind pairs is to make sure that there\u2019s a minimum chance of your opponents getting a higher pair. However, the lower your starting hand pair is, the higher the chance there will be a higher card on the flop.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/holdem-odds-book-mike-petriv.jpg\")
According to Mike Petriv\u2019s Hold\u2019em Odds Book<\/a>, here are the odds for every pair you can have as pocket cards.<\/p>\n\n- KK \u2014 23%<\/li>\n
- QQ \u2014 43%<\/li>\n
- JJ \u2014 59%<\/li>\n
- TT \u2014 71%<\/li>\n
- 99 \u2014 81%<\/li>\n
- 88 \u2014 88%<\/li>\n
- 77 \u2014 93%<\/li>\n
- 66 \u2014 97%<\/li>\n
- 55 \u2014 99%<\/li>\n
- 44 \u2014 99.7%<\/li>\n
- 33 \u2014 99.9%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
<\/i> Top-Pair Hands \u2014 What Are They and How to Play Them?<\/span><\/h2>\nWhenever you receive a pair of cards and get two different but high-ranking cards, you\u2019re in a good spot. Basically, if you receive, for example, an ace and a king, you are in a good starting position to dictate the hand.<\/p>\n
These hands are often referred to as \u201ctop-pair<\/em>\u201d hands, as you have an opportunity to create a top pair on the flop with one of them.<\/p>\nDuring these hands, the goal of every player is to trap loose players into making the pot larger so that they can make a huge profit. Moreover, top-pair hands can come in handy when you have a position and nobody raised before you.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the rule many poker players accept is that you shouldn\u2019t call a raise if you have them, as that usually leads to losing a significant amount of real money<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/i> Suited Connectors\/Suited One-Gappers \u2014 An Opportunity You Shouldn\u2019t Miss<\/span><\/h2>\n
Although Texas Hold\u2019em, as well as many other poker variations<\/a>, is a game of skill, many people don\u2019t deny the element of luck that is present. However, knowing your odds at any point in the game is something that could help you significantly when it comes to choosing your actions.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why I am going to discuss odds and probabilities with every hand and tell you how these can affect you and other players during a single poker hand.<\/p>\n The position is something you should definitely pay attention to during the pre-flop betting round. Poker players generally divide positions into three main categories: early, mid, and late positions.<\/p>\n Players who are the first to act are said to be in an \u201cearly<\/em>\u201d position. Those who get to act last are in a \u201clate<\/em>\u201d position. Naturally, those who are in late position usually have a certain advantage as they get to make their decision after seeing what other players decided.<\/p>\n This is extremely important in the starting hand. While some hands may be playable when you\u2019re in late position, they should be taken out of the equation in early positions.<\/p>\n Since players only receive two hole cards in Texas Hold\u2019em, pair is basically the best thing you can get. Yet, you have to keep in mind that no matter how good things look pre-flop, all of that can change after the flop cards are revealed.<\/p>\n The rule of thumb is that you should get money if the pot if your pair improves with the flop. However, there\u2019s one thing you need to know \u2014 some pairs are better than others. Therefore, let\u2019s take a look at individual card pairs as your starting hands.<\/p>\n Pocket aces. The bullets. Pocket rockets. Pocker lovers have been quite creative when it comes to naming a pair of aces, as it is a very welcome sight in poker. In fact, the best combination of hole cards you can receive is pocket aces.<\/p>\n Statistically speaking, you can only get these once in every 221 hands, meaning you should immediately start working on maximizing the value right away. In other words, the most passive player in the world would make a raise pre-flop with the bullets in their hand.<\/p>\n Although you cannot get a better hand than a pair of aces, that could change a lot once the initial three cards are revealed on the flop. Usually, if you don\u2019t improve, just make sure not to stack off to insignificant two pairs or sets.<\/p>\n The good thing about aces is that they are the highest card in poker. Therefore, there\u2019s literally a 0% chance of getting an overcard on the flop.<\/p><\/div>\n After pocket aces, pocket kings are the second-best starting poker hand. Some very passive and tight players might fold the popular \u201ccowboys\u201d if they\u2019re in a late position and conclude that it\u2019s the best thing to do. However, it doesn\u2019t happen much, and the most logical thing to do is to raise the pot money pre-flop.<\/p>\n The only thing that you don\u2019t want to find on the flop is an ace, as that significantly increases the chances of someone else creating a pair of aces. However, if you have an overpair, then feel free to add more chips to the pot and get the most from your hand.<\/p>\n The probability of getting an overcard (in this case an ace) when holding KK is somewhere around 23%.<\/p><\/div>\n QQ or JJ in your pocket should also mean that you definitely need to play your hand in any position. Yet, these two pairs are pretty much foldable in many situations, especially if you\u2019re in a late position and you see other players making a re-raise. If you decide to call in that situation, you might get in trouble afterwards.<\/p>\n If there was a lot of re-raising on the pre-flop, you should continue with betting on the flop only if you improve your hand. In this case, it\u2019s important to keep an eye on your opponents to see if they show signs of weakness and act accordingly, despite not improving on the flop.<\/p><\/div>\n Getting TT, 99, 88 or 77 as hole cards is considered playable in every position. On the other hand, 66 and 55 are only advised to play if you are in a mid or late position. Finally, 44, 33 and 22 should only be considered if you\u2019re in a late position.<\/p>\n Yet, this is something you shouldn\u2019t take for granted. All hands that are below a pair of jacks are not facing raises or re-raises, especially if you\u2019re in a late position. However, you still want to be careful when raising bets.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t manage to hit a set when the flop cards are on the table, you should consider folding. The lower your pair is, the greater the chance that someone else has already managed to make a pair that is higher than yours.<\/p><\/div>\n The main idea behind pairs is to make sure that there\u2019s a minimum chance of your opponents getting a higher pair. However, the lower your starting hand pair is, the higher the chance there will be a higher card on the flop.<\/p>\n According to Mike Petriv\u2019s Hold\u2019em Odds Book<\/a>, here are the odds for every pair you can have as pocket cards.<\/p>\n Whenever you receive a pair of cards and get two different but high-ranking cards, you\u2019re in a good spot. Basically, if you receive, for example, an ace and a king, you are in a good starting position to dictate the hand.<\/p>\n These hands are often referred to as \u201ctop-pair<\/em>\u201d hands, as you have an opportunity to create a top pair on the flop with one of them.<\/p>\n During these hands, the goal of every player is to trap loose players into making the pot larger so that they can make a huge profit. Moreover, top-pair hands can come in handy when you have a position and nobody raised before you.<\/p>\n On the other hand, the rule many poker players accept is that you shouldn\u2019t call a raise if you have them, as that usually leads to losing a significant amount of real money<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/i> Playing in Position \u2014 How Your Position at the Table Affects Your Outcome<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/i> Pairs \u2014 What to Do When You Get a Pair as a Starting Hand?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Pocket Aces<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nPost-Flop Pocket Aces<\/h3>
Pocket Kings<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nPost-Flop Pocket Kings<\/h3>
Pocket Queens or Jacks<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nPost-Flop QQ or JJ<\/h3>
Pairs Below Jacks<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nPost-Flop with Pairs Below Jacks<\/h3>
Odds of Facing an Overcard<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
<\/i> Top-Pair Hands \u2014 What Are They and How to Play Them?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/i> Suited Connectors\/Suited One-Gappers \u2014 An Opportunity You Shouldn\u2019t Miss<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Suited](\"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/suited-connectors-and-suited-one-gappers-texas-holdem.jpg\" "\\"Suited")
<\/p>\n