Reference Card #2 — Texas Holdem Starting Hands Chart: Which Hands to Play From Every Position

Choosing the right starting hands is one of the most important skills in Texas Holdem. Your position at the table determines which hands are profitable to put chips into the pot. This reference card provides a clear starting hands chart organized by position. Use it as a quick guide during your next free practice game.

Understanding Position and Starting Hands

Reading helps, but hands-on repetition sticks. Practice this idea at casual tables on Louis & Friends using free virtual chips — no purchase required for the learning tables.

In Texas Holdem, position refers to where you sit relative to the dealer button. Players who act later in a round have more information because they see what others do before them. Therefore, you should play tighter (fewer hands) from early position and looser (more hands) from late position.

• Early Position (UTG, UTG+1, UTG+2): Play only premium hands. Recommended: AA, KK, QQ, AKs, AKo, AQs, AQo, JJ, TT, AJs, ATs, KQs.
• Middle Position (MP, MP1, MP2): Open up slightly. Add hands like KQo, AJo, 99, 88, 77, AJs, ATs, KTs, QJs.
• Cutoff (CO): You are one seat before the button. You can play medium pairs, suited connectors, and strong aces. Add: A9s, K9s, Q9s, JTs, T9s, 98s, 87s.
• Button (BTN): The best position. You can play a wide range including small pairs, weak suited aces, and even suited gappers like J9s. Always consider the blinds' tendencies.
• Small Blind (SB): You act first postflop. Play tighter than the button. Recommended: strong aces, high pairs, and good broadway hands.
• Big Blind (BB): When facing a raise, you get a discount. Defend with hands that play well postflop: suited connectors, small pairs, and some offsuit broadway hands.

The Starting Hands Chart by Position

The table below summarizes recommended hand ranges. "+97o" means any hand above 97o. Use this as a general guide and adjust based on opponents.

Worked Example: Button with Suited Connectors

Imagine you are on the button in a casual Texas Hold'em game with friends. Everyone folds to you. You hold 8♠ 7♠. The small blind and big blind are passive players who rarely raise. Based on the chart, this hand is playable from the button because it has good postflop potential. You should place a standard raise of 3 big blinds to build the pot and pressure the blinds. If called, you will have position for the rest of the hand. The flop comes 9♣ 6♥ 2♦. You flop an open-ended straight draw (any 5 or T completes it). With the lead and position, you can place a continuation chips to represent a pair. This is a perfect situation to practice your starting hand selection.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

1. Playing too many hands from early position. Avoid small suited connectors and weak aces from UTG. They lose chips over time.
2. Ignoring position when deciding to call. Even a strong hand like K♠ Q♠ in early position may be folded if there is a raise behind. Wait for a better spot.
3. Calling raises with hands like A♣ 5♦ from middle position. These dominated hands cost more than they win.
4. Over-defending the big blind with offsuit garbage. Only defend when you have a hand that flops draws or pairs.

Practice Tip

To master starting hand selection, try this concept at a free practice table where you can experiment without risk. Set up a private room with friends using practice chips and take notes on which hands you play from each position. Over time, your instincts will improve. Social Texas Hold'em is a great way to build skill while having fun. You can practice these ideas in OpenClaw, which offers a browser-based game with no download required. Play Texas Holdem browser style and refine your starting hand chart until it becomes second nature.