Choosing starting hands: a chart of all 169 hands
There are 169 different two-card starting hands in Texas Hold'em (ignoring which suits they are). The quickest way for a beginner to improve is to only play hands worth playing. The chart below sorts them into five tiers. Suited hands (s) are top right, offsuit hands (o) bottom left and pocket pairs on the diagonal:
- PremiumRaise from any seat
- StrongCan raise from any seat
- GoodRaise from middle position on
- PlayableRaise from late position (CO, BTN)
- SpeculativeSteal from the button or see a cheap flop
- FoldFold in most situations
Position: the biggest advantage in poker
The later you act after the flop, the more of your opponents' actions you see before you decide. That is why the same hand is much easier to play on the button (BTN) than under the gun (UTG).
- Early position (UTG): many players still to act behind you, so play only premium and strong hands.
- Late position (CO, BTN): widen your range and raise to steal the blinds.
- The blinds: you act first after the flop, so defend carefully.
For a full illustrated guide to the seats, see Texas Hold'em seats and positions.
Pot odds and counting outs
Should you call with a draw? Compare the equity you need with the equity you actually have and you have your answer.
Example: the pot is 100 and your opponent bets 50. You call 50 to win a pot of 200, so you need 50 ÷ 200 = 25% equity.
You have a flush draw (9 outs). Your chance of hitting on the river from the turn is about 19.6%, which is less than 25%, so on pot odds alone the call is not worth it.
The rule of 2 and 4: a quick way to estimate equity
- On the flop, with two cards to come: outs × 4 ≈ your chance of hitting.
- On the turn, with one card to come: outs × 2 ≈ your chance of hitting.
| Draw | Outs | Flop → river | Turn → river |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flush draw + open-ended straight draw | 15 | 54.1% | 32.6% |
| Flush draw + overcard | 12 | 45.0% | 26.1% |
| Flush draw | 9 | 35.0% | 19.6% |
| Open-ended straight draw | 8 | 31.5% | 17.4% |
| Two overcards | 6 | 24.1% | 13.0% |
| Gutshot | 4 | 16.5% | 8.7% |
| Pocket pair to a set | 2 | 8.4% | 4.3% |
Nut flush draw: the 9 remaining hearts are all outs, giving about a 35% chance of a flush by the river.
8 most common beginner mistakes
- Playing too many hands: thinking every hand has a chance, then losing lots of chips with weak hands in bad positions.
- Being too passive: calling instead of raising lets opponents see cards cheaply and gives up chances to win the pot outright.
- Ignoring position: entering pots with speculative hands from early position and struggling after the flop.
- Not letting go of top pair: calling down against heavy raises while ignoring that your opponent may already have you beat.
- Bluffing badly: bluffing players who never fold, or bluffing into multi-way pots.
- Ignoring pot odds: calling with draws without working out the odds, which costs you in the long run.
- Going on tilt: trying to win it all back straight after losing a big hand, and making rash decisions.
- Having no budget: not setting an entertainment budget and time limit beforehand, then playing longer and bigger.
Mindset and responsible play
Luck has a big effect on short-term results in poker, and you can lose a hand even when you make the right decision. Staying level-headed is the key to enjoying poker for the long term:
- Set a budget and a time limit: before each session, decide on an entertainment budget you are comfortable with and when you will stop, and stick to it.
- Focus on decision quality: judge whether your decisions were sound, not just whether you won or lost.
- Take a break when emotions run high: if you feel frustrated, tired or desperate to win it back, leave the table.
- Keep learning: review key hands after a session and keep improving with the poker glossary and our guides.
For more advice, see our responsible gaming statement.
Further reading: advanced strategy
- StrategyPineapple Fantasyland Strategy: When Should You Chase QQ on Top?
- StrategyHow to Choose Omaha Starting Hands: Double-Suited, Connected and Working Together
- StrategyWPT Global Satellite Strategy: Turn a Small Buy-In Into a Big Seat
- StrategyTexas Hold'em Continuation Betting (C-bet) Basics: When to Bet and How Much
FAQ
Beginner strategy FAQ
Which starting hands should a Texas Hold'em beginner play?
Beginners should stick mostly to premium and strong hands such as AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AK, AQ, TT and 99, and open up a little in late position. Use the 169-hand starting hand chart on this page as a guide.
What is the rule of 2 and 4?
After the flop, multiply your outs by 4; after the turn, multiply them by 2. That gives a quick estimate of your chance of hitting by the river. A flush draw with 9 outs is about 36% on the flop and about 18% on the turn.
How do you calculate pot odds?
Pot odds = amount to call ÷ (pot + opponent’s bet + your call). If your chance of hitting is higher than that, calling is profitable in the long run.
Is Texas Hold'em luck or skill?
Luck has a big effect in the short term, but in the long run skill decisions such as starting hand selection, position and pot odds decide your results.
Where should beginners practise?
Start on an intuitive app with low-stakes tables, such as QQPoker, ClubGG or WPT Global. See our poker room guide for more options.