Texas Holdem Starting Hands
Texas holdem Poker is the most popular poker game in the world
There are 169 possible 2 card starting hands
There are 169 possible 2 card starting hands but only 42 are worth considering under most circumstances. If you are not dealt one of these 42 hands then you will probably save money in the long run by folding and waiting for the next hand.
1. AA:
Top of the list, AA is without doubt the most powerful starting hand you can be dealt.
2. KK 
Along with AA, KK is significantly more powerful than any other starting hand.
3. QQ
Whilst QQ does not have the almighty strength of it's 2 predecessors, it is still a significantly strong hand.
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4. JJ
JJ ends the small group of pairs at the top of the list and is highly playable from any position.
5. AK
AK (the suited hand as opposed to AKo which is unsuited or 'off-suit')
6. TT
In sixth position we have a pair of tens - written TT
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7. AQ
AQ is another strong suited hand that has great flush and good straight possibilities.
8. AJ
AJ, and we are now half way through the top 16 hands.
9. AKo
AKo is our first unsuited hand. Although highly playable it doesn't offer any flush possibilities.
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10. KQ
KQ is the first of the hands that does not contain an Ace or a pair. The increase in possible straights just edges it above hand #11.
11. AT
AT continues the strength of the suited hands.
12. KJ
KJ has slightly better straight possibilities than AT but the King is simply not as powerful as the Ace.
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13. AQo
AQo has strength mainly in it's high pair and trip potential, although a straight is caught occasionally.
14. 99
99 will offer a good chance to beat a non-pair in a heads up situation but could fall short in a multi-way pot.
15. QJ
QJ has obvious strengths in it's flush and straight potential but can be caught out by opponents holding an Ace or King.
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16. KT
KT is the last of the 'big 16'. These top 16 hands can be played from any position but you must always be prepared to fold if the flop and turn go against you.
17. 88
88 starts the 2nd group of 8 hands. These are all playable hands but a little caution should be used in earlier positions.
18. QT
QT is another hand that draws a large part of it's strength from being suited.
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19. A9
A9 is the first of our non-pair hands that cannot create a straight.
20. AJo
AJo draws just enough strength from it's Ace to put it above #21.
21. JT
JT becomes the first of our hands that has full straight potential. 3 cards either side could create a straight (e.g.. Q,K,A or 7,8,9).
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22. KQo
KQo looks stronger than it plays. Although fully playable, do not be overawed by it.
23. A8
A8 is another hand that cannot create a straight.
24. ATo
ATo is the last of the 2nd group of hands. If the game is very tight then it may not prove worthwhile to play any hands further down the list, but if it's that tight then you should probably consider moving tables.
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25. K9
This hand can be played from early positions if the game is not too tight but it may be wise to only play them from medium positions.
26. A7
This hand can be played from early positions if the game is not too tight but it may be wise to only play them from medium positions.
27. KJo
This hand can be played from early positions if the game is not too tight but it may be wise to only play them from medium positions.
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28. A5
This hand can be played from early positions if the game is not too tight but it may be wise to only play them from medium positions.
29. Q9
This hand can be played from early positions if the game is not too tight but it may be wise to only play them from medium positions.
30. T9
This hand can be played from early positions if the game is not too tight but it may be wise to only play them from medium positions.
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31. 77
77 can be played in early positions but a little more caution should be used. It's probably sensible to play them only from medium positions but this depends on how loose the game is.
32. J9
J9 can be played in early positions but a little more caution should be used. It's probably sensible to play them only from medium positions but this depends on how loose the game is.
33. A6
A6 can be played in early positions but a little more caution should be used. It's probably sensible to play them only from medium positions but this depends on how loose the game is.
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34. QJo
QJo can be played in early positions but a little more caution should be used. It's probably sensible to play them only from medium positions but this depends on how loose the game is.
35. A4
A4 can be played in early positions but a little more caution should be used. It's probably sensible to play them only from medium positions but this depends on how loose the game is.
36. KTo
KTo can be played in early positions but a little more caution should be used. It's probably sensible to play them only from medium positions but this depends on how loose the game is.
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37. QTo
It would probably be best to only play this hand from later positions.
Hands that are not in this top list of 42 should only be played under special circumstances such as, possibly, when you are the small blind with no raises.
38. A3
It would probably be best to only play this hand from later positions.
Hands that are not in this top list of 42 should only be played under special circumstances such as, possibly, when you are the small blind with no raises.
39. K8
It would probably be best to only play this hand from later positions.
Hands that are not in this top list of 42 should only be played under special circumstances such as, possibly, when you are the small blind with no raises.
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40. JTo
It would probably be best to only play this hand from later positions.
Hands that are not in this top list of 42 should only be played under special circumstances such as, possibly, when you are the small blind with no raises.
41. A2
It would probably be best to only play this hand from later positions.
Hands that are not in this top list of 42 should only be played under special circumstances such as, possibly, when you are the small blind with no raises.
42. Q8
It would probably be best to only play this hand from later positions.
Hands that are not in this top list of 42 should only be played under special circumstances such as, possibly, when you are the small blind with no raises.
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164. 93o
These are the worst hands and have no redeemable features.
These should only be played on a 'free ride' from the big blind or if you really have the urge to bluff someone.
165. 62o
These are the worst hands and have no redeemable features.
These should only be played on a 'free ride' from the big blind or if you really have the urge to bluff someone.
166. 92o
These are the worst hands and have no redeemable features.
These should only be played on a 'free ride' from the big blind or if you really have the urge to bluff someone.
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167. 83o
These are the worst hands and have no redeemable features.
These should only be played on a 'free ride' from the big blind or if you really have the urge to bluff someone.
168. 82o
These are the worst hands and have no redeemable features.
These should only be played on a 'free ride' from the big blind or if you really have the urge to bluff someone.
169. 72o
These are the worst hands and have no redeemable features.
These should only be played on a 'free ride' from the big blind or if you really have the urge to bluff someone.
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