Beating Hold 'Em: Best Starting Hands

In Texas Hold 'Em the starting hand is one of the most crucial parts to a successful game. Knowing when to check, fold, call, or raise your starting hand, is what will separate the good players from the great. Here is a quick guide for you to look at, feel free to print this and use it at your disposal.

*Before reading*

Table play will be ranked by slowest, very slow, slow, medium, high, and any.

Slowest - no one has called or raised before you

Very Slow - one or two people have called before you, but no one raised

Slow - one to three people have called before you, but no one raised

Medium - everyone called, maybe a small raise which forces other out

High - raises and high stakes being bet

Any - no matter what you want to raise and even re-raise

Top Hands	Call	Postion	Raise	Positon	Table Play
AA	X	any position	X	any postion	any
KK	X	any position	X	any postion	any
QQ	X	any position	X	mid/late	medium/high
AK (suited)	X	any position	X	mid/late	medium/high
AK (unsuited)	X	any position	X	late	slow/medium
JJ	X	any position	X	late	slow/medium
High Hands	Call	Postion	Raise	Positon	Table Play
AQ (suited)	X	any position	X	mid/late	slow/medium
AQ (unsuited)	X	any position	X	late	slow/medium
AJ (suited)	X	any position	X	Bluff late	slow/medium
KQ (suited)	X	any position	X	mid/late	slow/medium
KQ (unsuited)	X	any position	X	Bluff late	slow
KJ (suited)	X	any position	X	Bluff late	slow
Fine Hands	Call	Postion	Raise	Positon	Table Play
AJ (unsuited)	X	mid/late	X	heads up/late	slow
KJ (unsuited)	X	mid/late	X	heads up/late	slow
KT (suited)	X	mid/late	X	heads up/late	slow
QT (suited)	X	mid/late	X	heads up/late	very slow
99	X	mid/late	X	heads up/late	very slow
88	X	mid/late	X	heads up/late	slowest
77	X	mid/late	X	heads up/late	slowest
66	X	mid/late	X	heads up/late	slowest

*All other pairs you want to fold, they will only cost you money in the long run. You may win a couple hand here and there, but they tend to dwindle away at your pot slowly without you even knowing*