Texas Hold’em ranks among the most popular poker games available today. While it is suitable for both beginners and more advanced players, success in Texas Hold’em requires a profound understanding of the pros and cons of various starting hands.
Join us below as we take a closer look at the origin and popularity of this beloved poker game. The bulk of the guide will focus on the best starting hands in Texas Hold’em and what you need to know about each one of them and their respective advantages and disadvantages.
Origin and Popularity of Texas Hold’em
As the name suggests, Texas Hold’em hails from Texas, where it developed and became very popular. While the exact origin is not certain, Texas Hold’em was reportedly born in the Texan town of Robstown around 1900. In the late 1960s the Golden Nugget casino introduced the poker game in Las Vegas.
Texas Hold’em eventually spread across the United States and reached Europe and beyond. Today, Texas Hold’em has perhaps become the world’s most popular online poker game. The are various reasons that explain the international popularity of this poker game among both experienced players and complete beginners.
- It is quite easy to learn for beginners
- It can be played for money or other prizes
- It is an entertaining and fast-paced game
- It enables social interaction with other players
- It is widely available on most online casino sites
1. Pocket Aces hand – AA
Pocket aces are widely considered the strongest starting hand in Texas Hold’em. As the name indicates, this hand consists of two aces. Since it is the strongest starting hand in the game, a player who is lucky to get it will naturally be interested in raising the stakes.
However, the likelihood of getting a pocket ace’s hand is only one in 110 hands. While it is considered a dream starting hand, pocket aces are not unbeatable, especially after the flop. In addition, a pocket ace’s hand is less efficient when played against several opponents.
2. Pocket Kings – KK
Pocket Kings is ranked as the second-best starting hand in Texas Hold’em before the inclusion of community cards. As the name reveals, it consists of two kings. Due to its strength, Pocket King’s hand is a great hand for seeking to get as much money as possible before the flop.
While it enables the player to play aggressively, it is important to keep in mind that another player with a potential pocket ace hand can neutralize your pocket kings combination. Furthermore, a pocket king’s hand is more vulnerable after the flop.
3. Pocket Queens – QQ
The bronze medal among starting hands goes to pocket queens – consisting of two queens. While it is a powerful hand, the player should remember that it will lose against both pocket aces and pocket king’s hands. An advantage with pocket queens is that this hand can be played in various ways. While not the strongest hand, pocket queens are, on average, stronger than most starting hands.
4. Ace King Suited – AK
Ranking fourth among starting hands, the Ace King consists of one ace and one king. While weaker than the previously mentioned top three starting hands, the AK is appealing since it enables more combinations for the player to win. For that reason, the AK is a hand that the player should consider using in deep-stacked tournament games.
5. Pocket Jacks – JJ
Pocket Jacks is quite an attractive starting hand despite being ranked fifth. It is a good starting point for a potentially successful poker game. The JJ hand is considered effective against opponents who play aggressively. While far from the strongest hand, a JJ is a respectable starting hand in shallow stack tournament contexts.
6. Ace King Off Suit – AK
Ace King Off Suit (AK) ranks as the sixth strongest hand. While far from the best starting hand, it can still be useful for winning with two pairs, a straight, or trips. The AK is a mixed bag – as the player can both win and lose many big pots. The AK is particularly vulnerable at deeper stack sizes.
Conclusion
Texas Hold’em is one of the most popular poker games and hails from Texas. It is suitable for beginners and can be played in varied ways. In addition, it offers social interaction and is the most common online poker game. Pocket aces and pocket kings rank as the strongest starting hands in Texas. Hold’em, but they are not unbeatable.
While weaker, pocket queens and Ace King Suited offer more winning combinations. Pocket Jacks is the fifth strongest starting hand, followed by Ace King Off Suit. Both hands offer multiple chances of winning while being simultaneously vulnerable to frequent losses against strong hands. Understanding the pros and cons of each hand is crucial for success in Texas Hold’em.
