Texas Hold'em Strategy

Texas Hold'em strategy is catering for high card game as the players holding two good high cards have the best chance at the best hand or a draw to the best hand after the flop. Texas Hold'em strategy has you playing strong hands, that will stand a raise or multiple raises, from early betting positions. When you are likely to get  the flop at a reasonable price, Texas Hold'em strategy ask to play medium strength and other playable hands from the later positions. Play strong high hands the  most time, and play them very aggressively. Take all the raises you can get. If you don't think out the competition, you reduce your chances of winning. Plus, your aggressive play before the flop can add credibility to any strong play you might want to use on the next round if a garbage flop falls and you want to try a steal. Be ready to fold your high pair if you get a lot of action with a threatening flop.    

Medium cards - 9 thru 7

Low cards - 6 thru 2

Suited player hand(s) - Both cards of the same suit.

Set - Three of a kind with two of the three in your hand. (One in your hand and two on the board is "trips".)

 - An unbeatable hand. Sometimes called a "lock".

Flop, turn, river - The community cards in the order of distribution.

Fast play - Bet, raise and re-raise to get as many other players out as possible.

Slow play - Just check or call along to keep other players in the game to increase the pot odds.

Check-fold - Check when you can and fold if you are bet into. Gladly accept all free cards offered.    

Starting Hold'em Hands 

The starting hands shown here are in general power order groups with names that are easy to remember. More precise power ratings of each of the individual hands is available on the "Best of the Net" page, under "Texas Hold'em".    

Strongest Starting Hands: 

Pair of high cards - AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 1010

Ace and high cards suited - AK(S), AQ(S), AJ(S), A10(S)

Faces suited - KQ(S), KJ(S), QJ(S)

Ace King – AK

Medium Strength Starting Hands 

Face ten suited - K10(S), Q10(S), J10(S)

Medium pairs - 99, 88, 77

Two high cards - AQ, AJ, A10 (ace king ranks higher, above), KQ down to J10

Ace and medium suited - A9(S), A8(S), A7(S)

Medium suited connectors (No Gap/One Gap) - J9(S), 109(S), 108(S), 98(S), 97(S) down to 75(S)      

Other Conditional Starting Hands 

Low pairs - 66, 55, 44, 33, 22

Ace and low suited - A6(S), A5(S), A4(S), A3(S), A2(S)

Low suited connectors (No Gap/One Gap) - 65(S), 64(S), 54(S,) 53(S) (lowest)      

Texas Hold'em strategy advise to fast play high pairs and very strong hands before the flop. This puts more money in the early pot and encourages weak and garbage hands to fold that could get a lucky flop and beat you. Don't draw to the low end or both ends of a straight. If a 9 8 7 flops, you want to be playing the J 10 and not the 6 5 or the 10 6. (The low part is commonly called the "ignorant" end of the straight.) Unconnected Medium and Low Cards are Usually Unplayable. This includes suited cards that can't flop a straight. Both ends of a straight such as 9 5 fall into this very weak category. Play starting low pairs cautiously. 66 down to 22. Usually not from an early seat and from the late positions, only when the price is right. If you don't flop a set or quads you should usually fold. Play aggressively when you have a two way draw after the flop. If you can make a straight AND a flush or trips etc., usually bet/raise your hand. Bet an Ace or two high overcards after a garbage flop (a three suit "rainbow" with unconnected medium and low cards). Usually fold if someone raises. Watch out for uniform flops, like 8 7 6, they can easily turn into straights that can overtake your high pair or other good hand. Check the raisers chips. Texas Hold'em players that are close to all-in often rush the betting just to get all their chips in a sink-or-swim last hand. 

Be aware of Suited Flops that can make a completed flush. In this case, you should usually hold the nut in that suit, or have trips or two pair that can fill up. Get caught bluffing once in a while. It is a way to vary your play and not be too predictable. You win pots that you don't deserve when your bluff works. You lose a few chips when it doesn't work but it will get you calls from weaker hands down the line when you have a strong hand and need the action.