Pre-Flop Starting Hands
Pre-Flop Starting HandsLearning which hands are appropriate for pre-flop play, and those which should always be folded, is an essential skill that any serious poker player must master. Without this skill, you will find you lose more often than not, and run through your bankroll too quickly. Use the following information as a guideline to proper pre-flop play: Early Position In early position, you have to be a bit more cautious about the cards you play, and patience is definitely required. As a general rule, these are the best actions pre-flop in early position: Raise: AA, KK, AKs, AK, QQ, JJ. Reraise with AA, KK. Call: QQ-TT, AKs-JTs, AQs-QTs, AJs-KTs, AK-KQ, AQ, AJ. If the game is loose, call 99-66, 98s-87s, AJ-98. Fold: All others. Mid PositionPlay in mid position often depends on the number of callers in front of you. Whether no one has called, or 3 or 4 players have called, will determine your actions. 3 or Fewer Callers: Raise: AA, KK, AKs, AK, AQ Call: QQ-88, QJs-JTs, KQ, AQs-QTs, AJ, AT 4 or More Callers: Raise: AA, KK, AKs, AQs Call: QQ-66, QJs-76s, AK-98, KJs-T8s, Axs. If the game is loose, call 55-22, 65s-54s Raise in Front: Reraise: AA, KK, AKs Call: QQ-TT, KQs, AQs, AQ, AJs 5 or more callers: In addition to above, call: 99-22, QJs-T9s Late PositionPlay in late position allows you to loosen up on the cards. However, much of your action will depend on that of the players preceding you, as well as the number of persons in the hand. 4 or Fewer Callers: Raise: AA, KK Call: QQ-99, AKs-76s, AQs-86s, AJs-96s, AK-98, AQ-J9 5 or More Callers: Raise: AA, KK, AKs Call: QQ-99, KQs-76s, AQs-J9s, AJs-Q9s, AK-JT, AQ-QT, AXs. If most players call, play any pocket pair. | 
