Texas Holdem – Starting Hand Secrets

A great way to increase your odds at winning at Texas Hold'em is the Starting Hand Strategy. If you use this strategy it will help you to stay or fold early. You want to play starting hands which total point value is 19 or greater. The median hand in Texas Hold'em is Q, 6. Which equals 18 points. I'll tell you how to calculate the points later.

This means that half of the hands dealt will be stronger, or greater than 18 points and half the hands will be weaker, or less than 18 points.

Typically, if an applicant calls or raises a hand you can be sure that they have a starting hand greater than 18 points. Without they are running a bluff. So you better have a hand that is statistically stronger than 18 points if you're considering a call or raising.

To calculate the value of your hand you assign a simple point value to each card. All based on the number or order of the cards.

A = 14, K = 13, Q = 12, J = 11, T = 10, 9 = 9, 8 = 8, 7 = 7, 6 = 6, 5 = 5, 4 = 4, 3 = 3, 2 = 2.

As you can see, Q, 6 equals 18 points. The highest point value possible is A, A or 28 points.

Let's now look at a few key ways to get "bonus" points for your starting hand.

If you have fitted pocket cards add one (1) point. J, 9 suited you would have a total of 21 points. (11 + 9 + 1 bonus = 21). This is a playable hand.

Add (2) points of value to any qualified connectors you're deal. Example: 8,9 of spades is 19 points (8 + 9 + 2) Again, playable. Add (3) points for a pocket pair. 10.10 gives us 23 points. (10 + 10 + 3). You get the idea.

Now you can stay for the flop, confident you have good odds of having a winning hand.

Hope this was helpful.

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Source by Donnie Roberts