You can read all the poker books in the world but none of that valuable information will be worth anything if you don’t start properly with the right cards and that is where hand selection comes in.
We have covered general hand selection basics (Top Ten Starting Hands – Beginner) in our beginner series of articles, but now it is time to explore which cards you should be getting involved with while putting a larger emphasis on positioning.
Early Position Selections
You have probably heard time and time again that you shouldn’t be entering any pots in early position with anything less than a premium hand. However, as your personal skill level grows you can begin to open up your hand selection range a little.
Approved Hands:
Pairs: J-J – A-A
Unsuited: A-10 – A-K, K-Q
Suited: A-J – A-K, K-Q
You will want to continue to fold hands like A-J and K-Q in early position if you are playing at a table that sees a lot of pre-flop raising. At an extremely weak/conservative table, you will be able to work with medium strength hands like A-10.
Middle Position Selections
Advanced players will have no problem correctly playing every approved hand from the early position selections while in middle position but this is also another good opportunity to get creative once in a while.
We have added a lot of suited connectors for you to experiment with in middle position when the moment seems right, such as when you can see a lot of cheap flops. It is worth it to occasionally limp in with something like 9-8 suited because when it does hit on the flop, it will hit big.
Approved Hands:
Pairs: 8-8 – A-A
Unsuited: A-J, A-10, K-Q, A-Q
Suited: A-T – A-K, K-T – K-Q, Q-J, Q-T, J-T, J-9, T-9, 9-8
Late Position Selections
As you would imagine, any pocket pair is a great hand in late position. On top of the obvious hand combinations, you can also get comfortable with playing an ace with any suited kicker in an un-raised pot, as well as just about every type of suited connector except for 2-3, 3-4 and 4-5.
Approved Hands:
Pairs: 2-2 – A-A
Unsuited: A-10 – A-K, K-9 – K-Q, Q-J, Q-T, J-T
Suited: A-2 – A-K, K-9 – K-Q, Q-9 – Q-J, J-T, J-9, T-9, T-8, 9-8, 9-7, 8-7, 8-6, 7-6, 6-5
Don’t be Predictable, Mix it Up
Go ahead and copy/paste these suggestions into a document that you can access quickly as you play online until you have them committed to memory. You don’t want to become too regimented with these hand selections, however, as that will make you a predictable player. To avoid this, toss in the occasional odd choice in order to keep the other players guessing as to what type of hand selection methodology you are following.
Key Points
• Open up your hand selection in all positions as you gain confidence in your game.
• Suited connectors are great ways to expand your choices in middle and late position.
• Continue to mix up your range from time to time to avoid becoming predictable.
Chris
- Chris Laquinta is a magazine editor, content specialist and poker fanatic with 10+ years writing experience and over 1,500 published articles. Chris is a naitive of Southern California, where he spent his entire life learning gaming concepts and theories from relatives that had been former professional gamblers. He currently resides in Torrance, CA where he works as a professional content writer and part-time SNG professional.
