Did you know that there are 169 two hand starting combinations when you play texas holdem? More importantly, did you know what two hands are worth playing and which are not?

If you don’t know this, then these are probably the most important texas holdem poker tips you will read if you want to be successful and make money playing the game.

Below are the pre-flop starting hands plays and how they should be played depending on where you are sat on the table – whether online or offline. Carefully observing when to play then is essential if you want to win at this great game.

Hands you play in any position:

Pairs:

Ace-Ace pairs all the way down to 7-7.

Suited Cards:

Ace with King, or Queen, or Jack or Ten.

King with either Queen, Jack and Ten.

Queen with either Jack or Ten.

Jack with either ten or nine.

Unsuited Cards:

A-K to A-T; KQ and KJ

Hands played in mid or late position

Pairs:

6-6 and 5-5

Suited Cards:

Ace-nine to A-6; King-Nine; Queen-Nine and Q-8; J-8; Ten-Eight; 9-8

Unsuited Cards:

King-Ten; Q-J and Q-T; Jack-Ten

Hands Played in Late Position Only

Pairs:

4-4; 3-3; 2-2

Suited Cards:

A-5 to A-2

K-8 to K-2

J-7

T-7

9-7; 9-6

8-6

7-6; 7-6

6-5

5-4

Unsuited Cards:

A-9 to A7

K-9

Q-9

J-9; J-8

T-9; T8

9-8; 9-7

Unplayable Hands (or cards you should never play in any position):

Basically all that are not mentioned above should be discarded unless you feel like bluffing or throwing your money away.

Applying the plays above will already give you and advantage that most players don’t know about.

Please note that these tips should not always be blindly followed. When you have situations where the pot is raised and re-raised you will need to consider tighter play and perhaps not play certain hands to minimize the risk to your bankroll. In other words, use your common sense, this is probably the second most important Texas Holdem poker tips you should observe at all times.

By: Graham Grant

About the Author:

Play With the Legend Himself – Mr. Doyle Brunson at Doyle’s Room and Get $550 Free!