This is a different sort of starting hands chart. It shows what actual players have managed to play profitably, not expert opinion. It is compiled from millions of actual hands played at PokerRoom.com. Each entry represents the lowest cards profitably played in that position by thousands of players. So this is not a chart of the ideal starting hands, because there are so many complications. Just because a hand is on balance profitable does not mean it is positive in each situation. Hands might be profitable with several limpers already in the pot, but bad bets heads up. The fact a hand is positive in this chart just means the wins were greater than loses, not how and when you should hold'em. What this chart provides is a general sense of worthwhile cards. If average schlubs have made money on these hands, skilled players should certainly be able to. There are some surprises -- particularly the value of low suited kings or queens in late position. In a few cases, I included some slightly negative hands that were very, very close to zero EV, under the theory that they should make money when used selectively by good players..
The totals include all real money hands, which would mean limit and no limit, tournament and not. So again, this is for information only, this is not a proper starting hands chart.
Chart of suggested half-table starting hands.
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