Best Starting Hands In Poker – Starting Hands Ranking Chart

Poker is more than just a card game; it’s a blend of strategy, skill, and chance. Understanding which hands to play can potentially give you an advantage at the table.

Knowing the best starting hands can help you decide when to bet, fold, or raise. This King Casino blog post will walk you through which hands may be worth playing and why.

Ready to make informed choices to try and improve your game? Let’s dive into the rankings and see how you can use this knowledge to enhance your poker experience.

How Many Starting Hands Are There In Poker?

In poker, there are a total of 169 unique starting hands, categorising all possible two-card combinations based on rank and suit. These hands can be divided into suited and unsuited pairs. Suited cards are of the same suit, like hearts or spades. Unsuited cards are of different suits.

Among these 169 hands, some are more valuable than others. The strength of your starting hand can impact your strategy and decisions during the game.

Knowing the total number of starting hands helps you grasp the variety of possible hands and their potential during play. Understanding this can potentially aid in sharpening your strategy and making better choices at the table.

Best Starting Hands In Poker

Below is a look at some of the best starting hands and why they are valuable.

1. Pocket Aces – AA

Pocket Aces, or “Pocket Rockets”, are the strongest starting hand. Two aces provide a great chance to win, so you might consider being aggressive with this hand.

2. Pocket Kings – KK

Pocket Kings, known as “Cowboys,” come just after Aces. These cards offer high winning chances, but watch out for Aces on the flop.

3. Pocket Queens – QQ

Pocket Queens, or “Ladies”, hold a strong position. While powerful, be aware of higher cards like Aces or Kings that might appear.

4. Ace King Suited – AKs

Ace King Suited, often called “Big Slick,” is powerful with the potential for a straight or flush. It’s strong, especially if both cards are of the same suit.

5. Pocket Jacks – JJ

Pocket Jacks, or “Hooks,” are a favourite among many players. They are strong, but can be challenging to play if higher cards come up.

6. Ace King Off Suit – AK

Ace King Off Suit, similar to its suited counterpart, is strong but lacks the flush potential. It’s still a formidable hand to play.

7. Pocket Tens – TT

Pocket Tens are quite strong and offer good winning chances. However, be cautious as higher cards on the board can weaken this hand.

8. Ace-Queen Suited – AQ

Ace-Queen Suited combines high card value with flush potential. It’s versatile and can be played aggressively in many situations.

9. Ace Jack Suited – AJs

Ace Jack Suited offers a mix of strength and the potential for straights and flushes. It’s a hand that may yield good results if played wisely.

10. King Queen Suited – KQs

King Queen Suited is a solid starting hand. It offers potential for high pairs, straights, and flushes, making it valuable in various scenarios.

Poker Starting Hands Chart

A starting hands chart is a useful tool for poker players. It can help you decide which hands to play and which to fold based on their strength.

Understanding the chart may help guide you in making smart choices during the game.

Here’s a simple breakdown of starting hand ranks:

Premium Hands

These are the top hands you might feel confident playing in most situations.

• Pocket Aces (AA)
• Pocket Kings (KK)
• Pocket Queens (QQ)
• Ace King Suited (AKs)

Strong Hands

These hands have high value, but require a bit of caution.

• Pocket Jacks (JJ)
• Ace King Off Suit (AK)
• Pocket Tens (TT)
• Ace Queen Suited (AQs)

Good Hands

These are solid hands that you can consider playing, depending on your position and table dynamics.

• Ace Jack Suited (AJs)
• King Queen Suited (KQs)
• Ace Queen Off Suit (AQ)
• King Jack Suited (KJs)

Moderate Hands

These hands may be worth playing in certain situations, but may carry some risk.

• Queen Jack Suited (QJs)
• Ace Jack Off Suit (AJ)
• King Ten Suited (KTs)
• Pocket Nines (99)

Using this chart can help you make more informed decisions and manage your strategy effectively. Keep this guide handy as you play, and you’ll be better equipped to enjoy the game more thoroughly.

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*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.