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Poker Starting Hands & Hand Ranking

Copyright © 2007, RealPokerLessons.com

Your best starting poker hands are a critical component to your game that you should not avoid studying them.  It is literally the foundation for winning poker.  Far too many players base their starting hands on false theories like "its suited, its good," or "any paint" (i.e. any K, J, etc.).  In fact, a suited hand only increases the chances on the hand on average by about 3%, which isn't very much.

Level 1 Hands:

These hands are the best of the best.  I'm actually a little hesitant to include J's in here, but they are a very strong hand when played correctly.  You should always raise with these hands simply to protect them.  When you limp (just call the minimum bet) with these hands, you let other players with weaker hands (i.e. 57) a better chance of out drawing you.  They can be played in any position.  One note on JJ; This is a great hand,  but you need to be very careful with it.  My general theory is if I raise and someone calls, I analyze that flop something fierce. If I see a couple over cards (i.e. K, Q), I slow down on the betting.

(note: AK suited >>)

Level 2 Hands:

These hands are great hands, but should be played in late to middle position.  AK (unsuited) should be raised from any position.  But hands like KQ should be played in late position, and played cautiously.  Its referred to as a trap hand.  For example, if you hit a Q on the flop, someone could have you dominated with an Ace kicker.

Level 3 Hands:

With the exception of AQ unsuited, I usually limp with these hands, unless I've got a good read on a player, or bullying someone, or think my opponent will fold with a raise, etc. They really are drawing hands, and you're looking to make a monster with them, not just a pair. A pair is great of course, but you can easily be dominated. I play these hands from middle to late position, and will sometimes call raises with them, but mostly want to get in cheap with them and see a flop.

Level 3 Hands (continued):

	suited	suited	suited

Level 4 Hands:

These hands hands look great, but they are trap hands and in my opinion, you should try to make monsters out of them (i.e. two pair, straights, flushes, etc.).  They should be played in late position and I don't recommend calling a big raise with them.  I personally love A suited cards, but I'm very cautious when I only flop an Ace because of my weak kicker. What I really want is an Ace high flush.

suited	suited

Level 5 Hands:

These hands should be played in middle to late position, and you want to see the flop as cheap as possible.

suited	suited		suited

suited	suited

Level 6 Hands

I personally will call any small pair as long as its not raised.  But the moment someone raises, I usually will throw it away (depending on the players I'm playing with of course too).  The trick to small pairs is that you really want to flop a set (3 of a kind) and bust someone that hits their Ace or King on board.  Suited connectors (76 for instance) should only be played in late position and are only worth a call, generally.  You are hoping to flop a great hand and see the flop for cheap.

			suited
	suited

Its important to remember that these are "general" guidelines, especially if you're new at Poker.  Once you get more experience, all types of hands come into play based on your opponent, the pot, the time of the tournament, how much money someone has in front of them, steal attempts, etc.