Play tight in early seats
Open strong pairs and premium broadways. Fold weak offsuit hands. You act first after the flop—play safer.
Starting Hands (Hold’em)
Starting Hands for Texas Hold’em (Beginner Chart)
A simple, proven plan for 6–9-handed Hold’em, about 100 big blinds, no antes. Start tight-aggressive: play good hands, in good position, and bet for value. Adjust later with experience.
For rules, see Texas Hold’em Rules · For hand order, see Hand Ranks.
Core plan (easy and solid)
Open wider in late seats
On the cutoff and button you act last more often. Steal blinds with playable hands.
Use simple bet sizes
Open to 2.5–3× the big blind (add +1× per limper). Postflop bet about ½–⅔ pot.
Fold when unsure
Save chips. There will be better spots—especially in position with strong hands.
Open-raise chart (by position)
Positions (6–9-handed): EP early (UTG/UTG+1) · MP middle · CO cutoff · BTN button · SB small blind.
EP Early Position – open strong only
Pairs: AA KK QQ JJ TT 99
Broadways: AKs AQs AJs · AKo AQo
Suited: KQs KJs
Fold offsuit aces like A9o, ATo here—often dominated.
MP Middle Position – add a few more
Pairs: 88 77
Broadways: ATs KQs KJs QJs · AJo KQo
Suited A: A5s–A2s (wheel & flush potential)
Suited connectors: T9s 98s
CO Cutoff – attack the blinds
Pairs: 66 55 (open, many boards play well)
Broadways: add KTo+ QJo QTo (be careful if 3-bet)
Suited A: most Axs
Suited connectors/gappers: 87s 76s 97s
BTN Button – widest opens
Pairs: 22+
Broadways: most offsuit broadways (K9o+ Q9o+ J9o+)
Suited: almost all Axs, many Kxs, suited connectors down to 54s
Fill-ins: suited gappers like T8s 86s
Open smaller (≈2.2–2.5×). You have position postflop—big edge.
SB Small Blind – be careful
Open for value: 88+ ATs+ KQs AJo+
Mix in: some A2s–A5s, KJs, QJs as raises or calls depending on BB
You’ll be out of position vs BB—don’t over-open junk.
Tip: If someone raises in front of you, do not open these hands—use the 3-bet/call chart below.
When they raise: 3-bet, call, or fold
3-bet for value
- All positions: QQ+ AK
- Late vs late opens: add JJ AQs KQs
- Size: in position ≈ 3× their raise; out of position ≈ 3.5×–4×.
Light 3-bets (starter)
- CO/BTN vs CO/BTN open: A5s–A2s, KJs, QJs
- Fold to 4-bets unless very strong. Keep it simple as a beginner.
Good calls
- Pairs 22–QQ in position to set-mine (see rules below).
- Suited broadways (AJs KQs) and suited connectors (T9s 98s) vs late opens.
Easy folds
- Weak offsuit aces (A9o–A2o) vs raises.
- Offsuit broadways like KJo QTo (dominated often).
Set-mine rule: call small/medium pairs when effective stacks are ~20× the raise or more, and raiser is likely to pay when you hit.
How to play pairs & suited hands
Pairs
- AA–JJ: raise/3-bet for value; bet for value postflop.
- TT–77: open from MP+; vs raise, call in position or 3-bet sometimes.
- 66–22: open from CO/BTN; vs raise, set-mine with position & deep stacks.
Suited Aces
- AKs–ATs: premium—raise/3-bet often.
- A9s–A2s: good in late position (flush & wheel draws). Fold early vs raises.
Suited connectors
- T9s–76s: open from MP+; call vs late opens in position.
- Play better in multi-way pots with deep stacks. Avoid weak offsuit versions.
Offsuit broadways
- AKo–AQo: raise/3-bet for value.
- KQo, KJo, QTo: open late; fold vs strong action (domination risk).
Heads-up vs multi-way pots
Heads-up
- Top pair good kicker is often strong.
- Continuation bet small (½ pot) on good boards.
Multi-way
- Play hands that make strong draws and sets.
- Top pair weak kicker drops in value—be careful.
Stack sizes — quick tweaks
Short (≤ 30bb)
- Tighten opens in early seats.
- 3-bet jam premiums; avoid calling out of position.
- Tournament antes make you play a bit wider late.
Medium (~50–100bb)
- Use the main chart. Mix value 3-bets with a few light ones in late position.
Deep (≥ 150bb)
- Add more suited connectors & suited aces in position.
- Beware dominated top pairs—pots get big postflop.
Common beginner mistakes
- Opening too many offsuit hands early (A9o, KJo, QTo).
- Calling raises out of position with weak hands.
- Never folding to 3-bets with dominated hands.
- Limping instead of raising with hands that should open.
- Using random bet sizes; stick to 2.5–3× preflop, ½–⅔ pot postflop.
Need quick math? See Odds & Outs.
Starting Hands — FAQ
Why play tighter in early position?
You act first after the flop and have less information. Playing tighter protects you from tough spots and dominated hands.
What size should I open?
About 2.5–3× the big blind. On the button slightly smaller (2.2–2.5×). Add +1× per limper.
When should I 3-bet light?
Mainly in late position vs late opens. Start with A5s–A2s, KJs, QJs. Fold to strong 4-bets.
Are suits ranked?
No. Suits do not rank in standard poker. For hand comparisons see Hand Ranks.
What about tournaments?
Shorter stacks and antes mean you can open/3-bet jam more with value hands. Keep ranges tighter in early seats.
Preflop Basics
Tight-aggressive, sizes, and plans.
Position
Why acting last is power.
Odds & Outs
Rule of 2 & 4 cheat sheet.
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