Starting Hands

When to holdem, when to foldem

Full table, limit Texas hold'em, preflop

First hand in a cell is the minimum to call with, the second is the minimum to raise. Reading the chart

Early position
1st 3 seats after blinds

Middle position Seats 4,5,6

Late position
"Cutoff" seat & dealer

Small blind*
1st left from dealer

Big blind
2nd left from dealer

Pot status:

Called

Raised

Reraised

Called

Raised

Reraised

Called

Raised

Raised*

Reraised

Called

Raised

Reraised

Called

Raised

Reraised

Pairs

77 TT

TT TT

QQ QQ

22 99

TT TT

QQ QQ

22 99

QQ QQ

22 QQ

QQ QQ

22 99

22 TT

QQ QQ

All 99

22 TT

66 KK

Suited
connectors

JT AK

KQ AK

AK AK

98 KQ

KQ AK

AK AK

54 QJ

KQ AK

T9 AK

AK AK

23 QJ

KQ AK

AK AK

All KQ

54 AK

AK AK

1 gap

QT AQ

J9 KJ

75 KJ

24 KJ

All AQ

2 gap

KT AJ

Q9 AJ

96 KT

25 KT

All AJ

3 gap

K9 AT

T6 AT

26 AT

All AT

low ace

All

Suited disconnectors

All

Unsuited
connectors

KQ AK

AK AK

KQ KQ

AK AK

T9 KQ

AK AK

76 AK

AK AK

All AK

AK AK

1 gap

AQ AQ

J9 AQ

All AQ

2 gap

Q9 AJ

All AJ

3 gap

K9 AT

All

ace-blank*

All

*Unsuited, less than 10

*Multiway pot with at least 3 people

*Assumes small blind is 1/2 big blind.

Reading the chart: The very first data cell contains "77 TT." This indicates that in early position, with a called (unraised) pot, the minimum pair to call with is seven-seven, and the minimum to raise with is ten-ten. Otherwise, fold. The next cell to the right states that in a raised pot, you need TT to stay, but should also raise with it. Blank spots mean no hand of that type is playable (so fold). For explanation of basic holdem rules and terms, see article.

These hands are the default suggestion -- the routine moves against unfamiliar opponents. Experienced players may deviate for good reason. The hands are adapted for the chart from the standard basic strategy for limit games advocated by David Sklansky in Hold'em for Advanced Players.

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