When it comes to Texas Hold’em, the cards that you start with are only a part of the puzzle when it comes to determining whether you will win or not. Even so, it is important to know which are the best starting poker hands. Knowing whether you start out with a significant advantage should help you make decisions when it comes to folding, calling or raising at each step of the hand.

#1: Pocket Aces

Obviously, this would be a pair of aces.  This is the very best way to start out your hand of Texas Hold’em. If you draw pocket aces, the hand that has the best chance of beating you one-on-one is 5-6 of the same suit. Of all the best poker hands, this is the top of them all.

#2: Pocket Kings

This would be the second-best way to start a hand. For those who don’t think optimistically, though, kings are referred to as “ace magnets.”

#3: Pocket Queens

Oftentimes this turns out to be an overpair to the flop. Just in case you’re not noticing a trend in these hands, look at the next one.

#4: Pocket Jacks

Jacks are called fishhooks by poker players. However, there are some poker players who have a difficult time dealing with jacks, but a pair of them is still a great way to start.

#5: Suited King-Ace (King and Ace of the same suit)

Of the best poker hands that are not a pocket pair of face cards, this is the best way to start. This hand is also called “big slick.” Of course, it is possible to miss the flop with king-ace, but you’ll learn how to avoid that mistake.

#6: Pocket Tens

This is another hand you can play aggressively, unless you see a ton of action on the table with you, because that means that someone might have one of the hands listed above.

#7: Ace-King Off Suit (King and Ace of different suits)

If you draw this, you have about a 50-50 chance to win against just about any holding that isn’t ace-king.

#8: Suited Queen-Ace

You get a lot of postflop playability with this hand. You’ll run into a lot of tough top pairs this way, and on a queen-high flop you’ll have the high pair top kicker.

#9: Pocket Nines

This is a great hand to play preflop. You can call a raise, raise yourself, or do some 3-betting here.

#10: Suited Jack-Ace

Similar to the suited queen-ace, you get a lot of playability postflop, along with a chance at a few tough top pairs at the flop. There is also a lot of potential for the straight and flush.

#11: Suited King-Queen

This is one of the best poker hands when it comes to flop interaction. Flushes and straights become a possibility, along with some tough top pairs.

#12: Suited Ten-Ace

Again, you have top pair, straight and flush possibilities. There is a slightly larger gap in between the cards, which is why it ranks below suited king-queen.

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