Texas Hold'em Starting Hands

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David Sklansky was the primary to publish a table of the starting hands in his book Hold'em Poker in 1976. The table ranks the starting hands and a proof is given as to the right kind position from which to play them. This list of starting hands has become kind of the usual for experienced players. There are some hands which will be played differently dependent on the collection of players, the kind of the sport and even if the pot was raised before your turn to behave. A player might want to tighten up or loosen these guidelines accordingly.

When I USED TO BE learning the sport I studied the table of starting hands and that i thought a graphic representation can be easier to grasp. I BEGAN to attract out some ideas on graph paper. I NEEDED a design that will help me understand the hands in the case of the dealer button.

I continued drawing out different configurations of the starting hands. I EVENTUALLY considered a linear design. I drew a dealer button at the right side of the sheet. I then started drawing the pairs at the line next to the button. For the reason that player to the left of the dealer acts first, I put the pair of aces to the immediate left with the remainder of the pairs in descending order with the deuces being the farthest hand at the dealer's left side. The hands closest to the dealer's left will be the early position hands. Since a table is circular, as you catch up with to the precise side of the dealer button you'd be in later position. These will be the hands toward the left side of the sheet.

I proceeded to fill within the other starting hands. I placed the suited cards at the most advantageous of pairs and placed the unsuited hands underneath. Once I finished I REALIZED that the chart appeared like an arrow. The shaft of the arrow contains the pocket pairs. The hands at the top of the shaft are suited and those at the bottom are unsuited.

It also showed how the collection of starting hands increased within the later positions. I DISCOVERED this chart helped me visualize the hands within the order I USED TO BE in search of. I color-coded the hands for early middle and late positions. Hands designated by red, are early position hands can also be played from any position. Middle position hands noted in yellow, may also be played in middle and late positions. Late position hands in green should only be played from late position or the blinds.

Click here to see a bigger picture of the Arrow Chart.

Using the chart as I played I'LL adjust the hands at the border of every position dependent on the kind of game. These positions aren't written in stone and will be adjusted for the kind of game I'M playing in. For example, in an overly loose, passive game I WOULD consider playing the pair of nines or eights in early position rather than the center position. In an aggressive game, the suited Queen-Ten may move to middle position.

This chart is published in my book Get the threshold at Low Limit Texas Holdem. If you want a 3x5 copy of the chart all it's important to do is send $1.00 to hide the postage and handling.

Hold’em Arrow ChartPO Box 310299 Newington, CT 06131-0299

Plese you should definitely include your dollar for the prining and postage.

Until Next time remember: Luck comes and goes.....Knowledge Stays Forever.

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