Best Starting Hands in Texas Hold’em (and How to Play Them)

Most poker hands are won or lost before the flop. Choosing the right starting hands in Texas Hold’em is the single biggest edge a beginner can gain — play strong hands, fold weak ones, and you’re already ahead of most opponents. New to the game? Read the Texas Hold’em rules first.

The premium hands (always playable)

These are the strongest two-card combinations you can be dealt. Raise with them from any position:

• Pocket Aces (A♠ A♥) — the best hand in poker. Always raise.
• Pocket Kings (K♠ K♥) — "cowboys," second only to aces.
• Pocket Queens (Q♠ Q♥) — a powerhouse, but beware overcards.
• Ace-King (A♠ K♠) — "Big Slick," especially strong when suited.

Strong hands (play from most positions)

• Pocket Jacks and Tens — strong pairs, play aggressively.
• Ace-Queen, Ace-Jack (suited) — solid, but respect re-raises.
• King-Queen suited — good for making strong pairs and flushes.

Speculative hands (play in position)

These hands can win big pots cheaply when they hit — but only play them when you act late and the price is right:

• Small and medium pocket pairs (22–99) — great for flopping a set.
• Suited connectors (e.g., 8♠ 7♠) — straights and flushes potential.
• Suited aces (e.g., A♦ 5♦) — flush potential plus an ace.

Hands to usually fold

Most starting hands are losers. Fold weak, unconnected, offsuit cards like J-3, 9-4, or Q-7 offsuit. They look playable but cost you chips over time. When in doubt, fold and wait for a better spot.

Position changes everything

The same hand can be a raise in late position and a fold in early position. The later you act, the more information you have — so you can play more hands profitably. Learn more in our guide to why position is power.

A simple rule of thumb

If you’re unsure, ask: "Is this hand strong enough to raise with?" If not, it’s usually not strong enough to call with either. Tight, aggressive play wins.

Practice your starting-hand selection

Theory sticks faster when you play. Try it at Poker House — free Texas Hold’em multiplayer tables, Wild-West style. Deal in for free and put these hands to work.