Quality Starting Hands

In this post I would like to make a mention to quality starting hands in poker. While different people play different styles of poker there are still the mathematic best starting hands. I recommend only a very few hands to consider coming into the pot with unless you are in late position or the blinds. That is not to say other hands won't play and win because any two cards can win but I am showing what the hands that are considered solid starting hands are. In the next article I will try to shed some light on how to play each of these hands. Previously I wrote about pocket aces so that hand is already covered. Keep in mind that there are 169 possible starting hands in holdem.

The list of what I consider quality hands follows.

AA
KK
QQ
JJ
1010
99
88
AK suited
AK
AQ suited

If you have these hands preflop and play solid cards like these you will more often than not finish high in the tourney you are in. Also keep in mind that just because these are quality hands preflop doesn't mean they will be after the flop. As always you have to take into account what the board flops, what type of opponents you are up against and your position at the table. Until next time may you always start out with a good premium hand.