Poker World Series Online

The 10 Best Texas Hold'em Poker Starting Hands

Knowing which starting hands to play and which to fold is an essential part of Texas Hold'em poker. By playing the right hands and folding to the worst ones, you can insure your bets will return in multiples.

Here are the ten best starting hands in Texas Hold'em poker, from the greatest to the least great:

1. Two Aces

A double ace is the best starting hand you can have. Although it could be beaten by other improving hands, the Ace - Ace could also improve into a four-of-a-kind, a full house, a trio, or a two pair.

2. Two Kings

This starting Hold'em hand is still superb, as it is only beat by the double ace. It is superb by itself but as with any other pair, it could also improve into more superior hands.

3. Two Queens

Also called the 'ladies,' it is still a very good starting hand. It still has a good chance to beat any drawing hand, and any pair from Jacks and below.

4. Ace-King

This Texas Hold'em starting hand is the best drawing hand (that is, a hand that could improve). It is a far more profitable bet than pairs from Jacks below, and could also hold on its own as a high card. The Ace - King is better when suited, because you have several ways of improving: into a straight, a flush, a straight flush, or any of the similar-ranking patterns.

5. Two Jacks

A pair of Jacks may seem not that strong, but poker statistics show that this starting hand wins about 20% of the time. Unless the flop reveals an ace, a king, or a queen, you should have no worry.

6. Ace - Queen

The second best drawing hand, the Ace - Queen has a high chance of winning, especially when suited.

7. King - Queen

This starting hand could still hold its ground, more so when suited. It is still a better bet than pairs from 10 below, and if it improves, could be much stronger than a pair of aces.

8. Ace - Jack

A slightly dangerous bet, the Ace - Jack is still one of the best starting Hold'em hands. Once you hit a pair on the board, you not only have a high-ranking pair, you also have a high-ranking kicker.

9. King - Jack

King - Jack is a good hand to play in the late positions. However, one must be wary of big raises, and should fold whenever one happens.

10. Ace - 10

The Ace - 10 is still a playable hand. You should play it safe though, and semi-bluffing would be a great strategy for this hand.

This is not a definitive list, but is statistically backed up. This list aims to help you decide which hands to play. However, the only way to really win is if you play these hands smoothly and properly.