The strategy of what to hold, and why, takes a bit to master, so studying the worst starting hands in Texas Hold'em, even more, can help you improve your game. Beginner's Advice Play only the cards in the 10-best list and always fold those in the worst hands list. The relative strength of poker hands in Texas Hold’em changes as the community cards are dealt. While all sorts of starting hands can hit the flop, there are certain categories which are more likely to turn into hidden monsters. This page covers the top 10 poker hands, before the flop – and then all the way to the river. Hands without a number are the weakest starting hands. As a general rule, books on Texas hold'em present hand strengths starting with the assumption of a nine or ten person table. The table below illustrates the concept: Chen formula. The 'Chen Formula' is a way to compute the 'power ratings' of starting hands that was originally developed. At the bottom of this page is a comprehensive listing of Texas Hold'em starting hands based on their EV (expected value). Expected value is the average number of big blinds this hand will make or lose. For example: AA from the Small Blind in a $3/$6 game will make, on average, 2.71 times the big. When playing Hold'em poker, you can be dealt 169 different two-card starting hands. Thirteen of them are pairs (such as 8/8), another 78 hands are suited hands (like the Q/10 of spades) and 78 more hands are unsuited non-pairs (such as 9/6 offsuit).

• Worst Starting Hand In Texas Holdem
• Best And Worst Starting Hands In Texas Holdem

The strength of your starting hand in Texas Hold'em can help you determine your chances of winning, even before the remaining cards are dealt. From a pair of aces — the strongest starting hand — to a 2 and a 7, knowing the strength of your starting hand is an important part of your success at the table. When playing Texas Hold'em you need to know which starting hands are worth staying in with—and which you should fold.

Best Starting Hands

Having a strong starting hand can help you determine your chances of winning even before the flop is dealt. In general, you're a strong contender if your starting hand contains:

• Ace/Ace: the strongest starting hand in the game.
• King/king, queen/queen, jack/jack: high pairs set you off well.
• An ace with a face card: sets a good foundation, if the flop works in your favor.

Beyond these cards, you'll also often be happy to see cards in sequence, particularly the high cards and face cards, and pairs in your starting hand. While some of these hands aren't always deemed the ideal hands, they can sometimes pay off if you're willing to take a risk. Don't forget the added bonus if your cards are all in the same suit, too. A flush, especially a straight flush or royal flush, can often win you the game. Again, the flop will play a major role in just how strong your chances are at winning, so assess carefully and determine how much risk you're willing to take.

The specific sequence of cards and the order in which they rank is an important aspect of the game. Studying up on the best starting hands in Texas Hold'em can help improve your game and your odds at winning the pot.

A strong starting hand might also encourage you to make a strong blind (your first bet).

Worst Starting Hand In Texas Holdem

Worst Starting Hands

When you're dealt your starting hand, some combinations greatly reduce your chances of winning. These are generally low numbers that are not in sequence or matched. You might consider folding early if your two cards are:

• A 2 or a 3, paired with a 7 or an 8: you can't make a straight out of them.
• An ace or a face card with an unsuited low card: you're taking a risk relying on a single high card.
• Two unmatched, unsuited low cards (like 4 and 7, 5 and 8, etc.): you'll rarely win with these.

The strategy of what to hold, and why, takes a bit to master, so studying the worst starting hands in Texas Hold'em, even more, can help you improve your game.

Beginner's Advice

Play only the cards in the 10-best list and always fold those in the worst hands list. Following this strategy may improve your results. However, there's no guarantee that receiving a strong starting hand will take the round, or that a weak starting hand is a definite loss. You never know how the flop may run, and while an unsuited 2 and 4 might seem like one to deal, sometimes you'll be pleasantly surprised with a two-pair or even a full house. Study up on the various hands you're aiming for.

How you approach the game will also differ based on the game itself. For example, if you're playing No-Limit Hold 'em, knowing the top No-Limit Hold'em hands can help you better understand how to play them.

As your skill increases, you'll also want to learn how position affects your Hold'em starting hand decisions. The more you learn, the more you'll realize how important your starting hands are to your bottom line. Play the good hands and fold the bad, and you'll be well on your way to becoming an expert at Hold'em.

Top Ten Worst Starting Holdem Poker Hands

Best And Worst Starting Hands In Texas Holdem

Everyone knows that pocket aces are the best starting hand in a game of no limit texas holdem poker, but are you familiar with what the worst hands are?

Join me as we go on a trip to the land of Texas Fold’em.

1) 7-2

72 is the #1 worst hand of them all. This is based on the fact that you can not make a straight with both cards and if you hit a flush you will have a very low flush at that. Even if you pair one of these two hole cards you are at worst hitting bottom pair with below average kicker, or at best top pair with bottom kicker.

2) 8-2

This hand suffers from the same inadequacies at 72u, however you have an 8 instead of a 7. Which makes things slightly better. But not by much. The only time you will be in front pre-flop is if you are playing against someone having a pop with 72u.

3) 8-3 & 7-3

You are unable to make a straight with 8-3. With 7-3 you are looking for a miracle flop to be in with any chance of winning the pot.

4) 2-6

Even if you make your straight you will not be able to guarantee you have the best hand. Players with suited connectors like 67 will make sure you lose a lot of chips. If you find yourself playing this hand against 4 other players you will only ever win around 10% of the time.

5) 2-9, 3-9, & 4-9

The only positive quality about these hands is the 9. If you pair your 9 on the flop (unlikely), you will have a middling pair but with an awful kicker. The best way to lose a lot of chips is to play a second-best hand, and that is exactly what will happen if you play any of these card combinations.

6) T-2

The legendary Doyle Brunsen hand made famous by him winning two WSOP bracelets with this hand. But do not be fooled. T2 is NOT a good hand. Do not play this hand unless you have the skill and experience of the legend that is the Brunsen. Or unless you like to lose money.

7) 9-5

95 is also known as the “Dolly Parton”. Maybe because of the song, but mostly because it’s ugly trash. Don’t play hands that have special names, or are your “favourite” hands. You should be selecting your starting hands based on strong cards and your table position. Hand selection based on the name of your hole cards is very, very stupid.

8.) 4-7, 4-8, 5-8, 3-6…

Any two low unpaired unsuited cards will rarely win unless you catch that dream flop. But odds are never ever in your favour to see a flop in the hope that you might hit it. For every one time you do hit a full house on the flop with these kinds of cards, there will be 100 times where you miss. Fold these hands. Even if on the small blind, even if you are getting value. If you do connect with the flop in some way, chances are it will be a trouble hand and before you know it you won’t be able to get away and you will find yourself pot comitted.

9) Face card (K, Q, J) + low card, unsuited

This is one of the more common mistakes made by beginners to the game. Picture cards by themselves are not worth anything. Put them with another card of the same rank and you’ve got a playable hand. But hands like J4, Q2, K3 are all Texas Fold’em hands. Even if you do pair your paint, chances are you will be outkicked at the showdown.

10) Ace + low card, unsuited

Another common beginner mistake to avoid is playing a raggy ace. That is an ace with a low kicker. Ok, so its not too bad heads up, and if you flop two pair against someone with AK then you are laughing, but this will not happen often enough to make it profitable to play. If someone is raising pre-flop in front of you, then your best strategy is to fold. Even if you do hit your ace on the flop, chances are someone else has too and more often than not they are playing with a much stronger kicker.