You may need to make adjustments to your hand selection. For example, if someone has raised before your turn, your hand may not be worth playing. Just because the guide says it is reasonable to play a certain hand in a certain position, it is important to realize that the value of your hand may change depending on what other players do. Make sure you have something which you would realistically continue with if facing another raise when you make an initial call. The basic rule of thumb is: If you spend chips calling and then have to fold because there is a raise, you wasted some chips without seeing any more cards. The last player to act will be the Small Blind if no other player raises.ĭifferent game dynamics might make it more reasonable to play a weaker hand, if you do not believe the players after you raise very often. Late position refers to the players who will be last to act.

Pre-flop, first or early position is the first player to call the Big Blind. Your position is the place you are seated in the current round of betting. It is impossible to perfectly pigeon-hole every hand in every position. Some guides have slightly different evaluations of hands. This starting hands chart is a widely available guide to decide which are worth playing before the flop in Texas Hold'em in certain positions at the table. Professionals call these situations ' leaks.' By that they mean fixing bad decisions made by your playing habits that contribute to the loss of too many chips in losing hands. Therefore, avoiding situations that are nearly always unfavorable will improve your expectation from your overall play.

Playing profitable poker is not just about maximizing profits. Hold'em hand selection and position before the flop Should you go for it? Or maybe you should fold and wait for the next turn? Applying a bit of strategy can help you decide! How do you know if your hand is worth playing in Texas Hold'em? So often in poker, we're dealt cards that seem to be on the cusp of being good or bad.

Starting hand guide texas holdem