Loading...No-Limit Hold'em: Basic Starting Hands
By PokerListings
When you start out playing No-Limit Texas Hold'em it is best to avoid playing marginal hands, as you will have to do a lot of guessing which will leave you vulnerable.
If you have never played No-Limit before, it is recommended that you restrict yourself to only playing pairs AA-22, AK and AQ. With these hands, you will not find yourself caught in many difficult situations and you can still win big pots. We recommend you try a poker odds calculator; it will help you select hands worth playing.
Playing only these hands requires a great deal of discipline since you will not be involved in many pots. Playing with this strategy will provide you with a lot of time to study the game and observe the players as you play (or sit out a hand).
This table shows minimum required hands per position in a semi-tight/semi-aggressive game.
| Min. Required Starting Hand When Facing Unraised Pot | ||
| # Players left to act | Non-pair | Pairs |
| 9 (under the gun) | AK | 99 |
| 8 | AQ | 88 |
| 7 | AQ | 77 |
| 6 | AJs | 66 |
| 5 | ATs | 55 |
| 4 | A9s, KQs | 44 |
| 3 (cut off) | Axs, KJs | 33 |
| 2 (button) | Axs, KTs, QJs, JTs | 22 |
| 1 (SB) | Axs, K9s, QTs, J9s | 22 |
| 0 (BB) |
General Pre-Flop Advice
- Most of the time you should raise/re-raise with top pairs (AA-QQ) and top connectors (AK, AQs) in order to make low pairs and various connectors pay to see flops against you. Remember, they will often have the opportunity to double-up on you if they hit (although many beginners do not realize this and fold too often pre-flop).
- Stick to the premium hands (see table of minimum required hands). You will pay dearly to "chase" with second-best hands in NL.
- Keep most raises down to between 70% and 100% (making it 3 times the big blind to go typically equals an 80% pot bet) in order to save money when you get re-raised or called by stronger holdings. If there are limpers in front of you, raise to about 4-6 times the big blind.
- Have respect for strong tight players (for example, you should drop AQ if a strong player raises under the gun).
- When very weak players have entered the pot, be inclined to call and take flops with them.
- Mostly raise or re-raise with AA-QQ, AK and AQs in any position.
- Basically, all other starting hands are limping hands. And though you might re-raise with them when you are defending your blinds, you might also raise with these hands when you are first in from a late position.
- Occasionally mix up your play by raising/calling/re-raising with hands you would not usually play. It is preferable to avoid becoming too predictable.
Comment(s) on this article
Chet Nov 3, 2009
Out of curiosity, how were these minimum requirements determined? Also, where do offsuit high cards like AJ, AT, Ax, KQ, etc. fit in? I can't believe they're not supposed to be played, but I can't tell where the first AJo open should take place, for example. Thanks.
Sean Lind Nov 3, 2009
Chet,
Those hands are all valuable, but marginal. They're great to raise with in late position, but you should be very careful calling raises with them.
These are the hands that will get you into serious trouble, play them with care, and unless you flop the nuts, you typically want to be playing a small pot.
These are the hands where you will commonly win a small pot, or lose a big one. Be careful with them is all I'm saying.
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