River NutsStarting hands in Texas Hold'em
Most beginner mistakes happen before the flop: they play too many weak hands. Here's a simple division of starting hands into groups — from those we always play to those better folded.
Starting hand groups
Notation: "s" (suited) — cards of the same suit, "o" (offsuit) — different suits. AKs — ace and king of the same suit.
Premium
The strongest hands. We almost always enter the pot with a raise from any position, and often answer an opponent's raise with a re-raise.
Strong
Good hands to open with a raise from most positions. Against heavy aggression from early positions, caution is needed.
Speculative
Rarely win on their own, but can make a set, flush or straight. Best played from late positions and cheaply.
Traps
They look attractive but often lose to a hand with a better kicker. Beginners should fold them, especially from early positions.
How position changes hand selection
| Early (UTG, UTG+1) | Only premium and strong hands — many players are still behind you. |
|---|---|
| Middle (MP, HJ) | Add medium pairs and suited broadways (KQs, QJs). |
| Late (CO, BTN) | You can play wider: speculative hands, suited connectors, weaker aces. |
| Blinds (SB, BB) | Defend carefully: after the flop you will act first. |
Typical beginner mistakes
- Playing any ace: A5o often loses to A-K, A-Q or A-J.
- Limping (just calling the blind) instead of raising with a strong hand.
- Overvaluing suited cards: the same suit adds only a few percent.
- Ignoring position: the same hand on the button and under the gun calls for different decisions.
This is a simplified learning scheme. Strong players adjust their ranges to opponents and stack sizes.
Practice at the table
Play a hand with the AI coach: it will tell you whether entering the pot with your hand in this position is worth it.
Play a training handEducational poker trainer, no-money play, 18+