While poker is a game of skill and strategy involving both math and psychology, your starting hands often determine the course of the game. The top starting poker hands often have the higher potential of making a stronger hand, thus offering you higher probability of winning the pot.
Let us give you a quick breakdown of the best starting hands in No-Limit Texas Hold’em with their strengths, win probabilities and examples.
1. Pocket Aces (AA)
Nickname: Pocket Rockets and Bullets
Win Probability (vs. random hand): nearly 85%
Win Probability (vs. another random pair): ~81%
With a win rate of nearly 85% heads-up against any other hand, pocket aces is the strongest pair. Aces are generally played aggressively to isolate opponents and extract value. However, there might be situations where slowing playing is better based on your opponent’s tendencies.
Example:
You have A♠ A♥ on the button. The UTG player opens 3x. You re-raise, and the big blind shoves. You call and are up against hands like K♠ K♦.
2. Pocket Kings (KK)
Nickname: Cowboys, King Kong and Ace Magnets
Win Probability (vs. random hand): over 82%
Win Probability (vs. A♠ A♥): 18%
Pocket kings are a monster pre-flop hand, especially in No-Limit Texas Hold’em poker. Second only to pocket aces, it is highly favaored against the most opponents and has a win rate of more than 82 % heads-up.
You should play it aggressively, raising or three-betting, especially if you are in a good position. However, be aware of the potential showdown scenarios and the hand value that might fluctuate on different boards.
Example:
You get K♠ K♥ in the middle position. You raise and get called by the cutoff. Flop comes 9♣ 3♠ 2♦ — a low board where you should go for a value bet.
3. Pocket Queens (Q♠ Q♦)
Nickname: Ladies or Cowgirls
Win Probability (vs. random hand): nearly 80%
Win Probability (vs. A♥ K♠): nearly 57%
Pocket queens are again a top-tier poker hand with a win rate of nearly 80% against any two random cards pre-flop. While it is strong enough to play in most positions, you need to be careful as its value fluctuates if the overcards hit the board. You should aim to play this hand aggressively, raising or re-raising in order to protect it and control the pot early.
Example:
You have Q♠ Q♦, raise from an early position and get called. Flop: J♦ 7♥ 2♠. With no overcards, you should continue aggressively to take it down.
4. Ace-King Suited (A♠ K♠)
Nickname: Big Slick
Win Probability (vs. random hand): ~65%
Win Probability (vs. Q♣ Q♥): ~43%
Ace-King suited is one of the strongest non-pair hands, with massive potential – top pair, top kicker, nut flush and straight possibilities. While the hand’s win rate varies against a variety of hands, it is going to win up to 65% heads-up. The Ace-King has over a 49% chance of winning at the river against two other players, according to Poker Sciences. You should play it aggressively. When facing a raise at the table, you should re-raise it.
Example:
You’re holding A♠ K♠. Flop comes 10♠ J♠ 4♣. Here, you have a nut flush draw and a gutshot straight draw. You should go for a raise here.
5. Pocket Jacks (JJ)
Nickname: Fishhooks or Brothers
Win Probability (vs. random hand): ~77%
Win Probability (vs. A♥ K♦): ~56%
Pocket jacks is a strong hand with a win rate of 77% against two players and nearly 62% win rate against three players. However, it is vulnerable to higher pairs and can still be risky against multiple opponents at the table. You should play this starting hand aggressively but be mindful of overplaying this particular hand against stronger or better holdings.
Example:
You are dealt J♣ J♦ in the cutoff. You raise, and the button calls. Flop: 9♠ 5♦ 2♥. The board has no overcards. It is a good spot to bet for value.
6. Ace-Queen Suited (A♦ Q♦)
Win Probability (vs. random hand): 66%
Win Probability (vs. K♠ K♥): 34%
Win probability (Vs AA): 18%
Ace-Queen suited is considered a strong hand in poker with broadway and flush draw possibilities. It has a win rate of nearly 66% heads-up against any two random cards. However, the hand can be dominated by a variety of other big hands like Aces, Kings, A-K and Q-Q. You should play it aggressively pre-flop and adjust your game after that based on the board texture as the value of this hand can fluctuate after the flop.
Example:
You have A♦ Q♦ in cutoff. You raise and get two callers. The flop comes Q♣ 6♦ 2♦. You have a top pair and nut flush draw, a very strong situation.
7. Ace-Jack Suited (A♣ J♣)
Win Probability (vs. random hand): 64.39%
Win Probability (vs. Q♠ Q♥): 34%
Ace-Jack suited is a strong hand with a win rate of 64.39% heads-up, according to blitzpoker. It is very strong in heads-up but can be tricky in multi-way pots. You should raise them pre-flop and fold to a 4-bet pre-flop. If you hit an ace on the flop, go for a bet and don’t slow-play it.
Example:
You pick up A♣ J♣ on the button. Flop comes down J♠ 9♣ 3♣ with a top pair and nut flush draw for you. This is a solid spot to apply pressure.
8. Pocket Tens (10-10)
Win Probability (vs. random hand): nearly 41%
Win Probability (vs. A K): nearly 33 %
Pocket tens is one of the strong starting poker hands in poker with over 40.77% against a single opponent and nearly 33 % winning probability against AK. However, it becomes dicey against overcards or bigger pairs. While it is a playable hand, you should be aware of the board texture.
Example:
You raise it with pocket tens and the flop comes 8♦ 6♣ 2♠. This is a great board for you. Go for a value bet to isolate opponents and extract value.
9. Ace-King Offsuit (A-K)
Win Probability (vs. random hand): ~65%
Win Probability (vs. Q♥ Q♦): ~43%
A very strong hand with potential to make the top pair, top kicker and straight possibilities, though it is less flexible than the suited version.
Example:
You are dealt A♣ K♦. The flops brings A♦ 7♣ 2♠ — top pair, top kicker. You should lead with a c-bet here to maximize your value in the pot.
While the best starting poker hands don’t guarantee you success, they give an edge to dominate and win the pot if you play them correctly. Having said that, player tendencies, position, stack size and timing plays a great role. So, combine solid starting hand selection with smart post-flop play to gain results in your favour and gain momentum in the game.
Winning Probabilities Based on Your Cards And the Number of Players
| Hand | 2 Players | 3 Players | 6 Players | 8 Players | 10 Players |
| AA | 85% | 74% | 49% | 39% | 32% |
| KK | 82% | 69% | 43% | 33% | 26% |
| 80% | 65% | 39% | 29% | 23% | |
| JJ | 77% | 62% | 35% | 29% | 23% |
| AK | 65% | 49% | 30% | 23% | 18% |
| AQ | 64% | 48% | 27% | 21% | 17% |
| AJ | 63% | 47% | 26% | 20% | 16% |
| KQ | 60% | 46% | 25% | 19% | 15% |
We wish all of you good luck at the poker felts! Keep following our Poker Learning page for more such insightful pieces on poker strategy ahead.
Sources: Poker Sciences, BlitzPoker, & Easy Poker
