Starting hand selection is one of the most critical elements of winning at Texas Hold’em. Choosing the right hands to play before the flop sets the tone for your entire strategy, helping you conserve chips, apply pressure, and make more profitable decisions. While poker is situational and players must adapt to position, stack size, and table dynamics, there are certain starting hands that consistently perform well and are considered must-play options for both beginners and advanced players.
Below, we explore the top starting hands you should always consider playing in Texas Hold’em, especially from early to middle positions.
Pocket Aces (AA)
Pocket Aces are the strongest starting hand in Texas Hold’em. No other hand has a higher probability of winning pre-flop. If you’re dealt AA, you should almost always raise to extract value and thin the field. Slow-playing this hand can be dangerous, especially on draw-heavy boards.
Key Strategy: Raise pre-flop and avoid letting too many opponents see the flop. Protect your hand by building the pot early.
Pocket Kings (KK)
Second only to pocket Aces, pocket Kings are powerful and dominate most other hands. While the presence of an Ace on the flop can be concerning, KK is still a premium hand worth aggressive pre-flop action.
Key Strategy: Raise or re-raise pre-flop. Post-flop caution is advised if an Ace appears and the opponent shows strength.
Pocket Queens (QQ)
Pocket Queens are considered the third-best starting hand and are often played similarly to KK. However, you’ll need to watch out for both Aces and Kings on the flop. Still, QQ beats most of the field and deserves aggressive action.
Key Strategy: Raise pre-flop and be ready to re-evaluate post-flop if overcards appear.
Ace-King Suited (AK♠/♥/♦/♣)
Ace-King suited, often called “Big Slick,” is a powerful drawing hand with high potential to hit top pair, a straight, or a flush. It plays best in heads-up pots and has solid equity even against medium pocket pairs.
Key Strategy: Raise or 3-bet pre-flop, especially in position. If you hit the flop, you’ll likely have the best hand.
Pocket Jacks (JJ)
Pocket Jacks can be tricky to play, especially against overcards like Queens, Kings, or Aces. Still, they’re strong enough to justify aggressive pre-flop action, particularly in later positions.
Key Strategy: Raise pre-flop, but be prepared to fold if heavy action follows and the board turns unfavorable.
Ace-Queen Suited (AQ♠/♥/♦/♣)
Ace-Queen suited offers solid top-pair potential along with strong flush and straight possibilities. It fares well against most non-paired hands and is best played in position.
Key Strategy: Open raise from middle to late positions and avoid overcommitting if facing a tight re-raise.
King-Queen Suited (KQ♠/♥/♦/♣)
This hand combines high card strength with good drawing potential. While it’s not as strong as AK or AQ, it’s still very playable—especially in position and when facing passive opponents.
Key Strategy: Play it more aggressively when suited and in late position. Be cautious against early-position raises.
FAQ
1. Should I always play top starting hands regardless of position?
No. While top hands like AA or KK can be played from any position, others like KQ or AQ are best played from middle or late position to maximize value and avoid tricky post-flop situations.
2. How important is table position when playing starting hands?
Extremely important. The earlier your position, the tighter your hand range should be. Late position allows for a wider range and more flexibility in hand selection.
3. Is Ace-King offsuit still worth playing?
Yes, Ace-King offsuit is a premium starting hand. While it lacks the flush potential of suited AK, it still offers excellent equity and should be played aggressively pre-flop.
