Poker is a card game that has continued to emerge as one of the most popular gambling games in the world, with millions and millions of bettors continuing to head to casinos – both physical and virtual – to wager on the game and see if they can strike it rich.
The game is all about the cards that are involved, with the starting hand that is dealt being crucial to an individual’s chances of winning the round that is played.
This article will take an in-depth look at what a starting hand is and reveal to readers which are the best starting hands in poker are to have, whilst also providing guidance on what should be done when the top poker starting hand is acquired by players at the table.
What is a starting hand?
For those that are unaware, a starting hand is a term that is used in the popular poker variant of Texas Hold’em. The hand consists of the two cards that are provided to each bettor once the game starts and they will remain hidden from each of the players and the dealer for the duration of the game.
The starting hand will then be used in tandem with the five community cards that will be dealt into play throughout the game. Once the fifth and final card has been revealed and the final round of betting has taken place, players will look to form the best five-card poker hand possible by forming a combination from the seven cards visible.
Indeed, the term ‘Starting Hand’ is perhaps one of the easiest to know and learn when playing Texas Hold’em.
What are the best starting hands to have?
When trying to think of the best starting hands in poker, it is easy to assume that a hand that features a pair will be amongst the best as this means bettors will already have a great chance of winning. However, it is important to be able to get a high-value pair, such as a double ace.
In fact, the double ace pairing has to be considered the best poker starting hand possible as there is no other combination that is greater. This combination is known as ‘Pocket Aces’ and is known to be amongst the best because it will dominate any of the other pairings that can be drawn.
Other top starting poker hands include combinations such as KK, QQ, JJ, AK of the same suit, 1010, AK of different suits, AQ suited, 99 and AJ of the same suit.
What should you do if you have a strong starting poker hand?
If you are fortunate to have one of the aforementioned poker starting hands, then it would be wise to bet hard and go in strong as there is a fair chance that you will be able to win the round. Of course, the community cards could all play a major role that is unpredictable, but if you have an AA pairing and do not go for the win, then it would never be worth going hard.
Summary
Whilst it can be rather rare to obtain the best starting poker hands, they are available and bettors would be wise to use them as fiercely as they can when they do arrive, as they will provide them with the perfect opportunity to obtain a win when sitting at a poker table!
