Starting Hands

Starting Hands are the cards dealt to each player in Texas Holdem that they would bet on before the flop rather than folding straight away. These will vary depending on how many players are at the table, the Limits, how loose or tight the game is and your position in the round of betting.    For a fuller examination of Starting Hands read the Basic Strategy for Texas Holdem page.

The following is a quick guide for a low Limit beginner only.

Hands that you should Raise with before the flop because you have a good chance of winning with:
 

AA, KK, QQ, AK, JJ, AQ, 1010

Hands to call with before the flop because its worth seeing the flop before you fold them as they have a fair chance of improving at the flop. Do not call more than a couple of times with these hands until you have a better understanding of the game as you may easily over invest in them:
 

AJ, KQ, QJ, J10, 109 (only if of same suit),99, 88, 77, Ax (two cards of the same suit offering the chance of a flush draw).

You should fold anything else pre-flop.