Preflop Strategy - Preflop Odds

Because Texas Hold’em poker is very complex game it is impossible to draw any strict rules that will guarantee you to play winning poker. The only part of Texas Hold’em poker game where can be successfully applied some particular rules is Texas Holdem preflop starting poker hands strategy.  

The decision which poker starting hands combinations should be played preflop can be made based on Texas Holdem preflop starting hand value ranking . Remember that sometimes you should play also weaker poker starting hands combinations to make your poker preflop strategy game less readable. Poker preflop hand value ranking is based on starting hands groups and poker hand rankings. Poker starting hands combinations from the same group can be played in pretty much the same way. As you will become more experienced poker player you will be thinking rather in terms of EV (expected value based on preflop odds) of each preflop poker strating hands combination rather than in groups. Poker odds calculator is another tool that may help you with learning preflop odds as well aspreflop strategy.

Keep in mind that the Texas Holdem poker preflop strategy and the poker starting hands groups you are going to play depend on playing style and quality of poker players at your table and your position. You will need lot of practice at poker tables to master this preflop part of poker strategy which is important part of learning to play winning poker.  
 
Below you can find the preflop poker starting hand ranking.

Poker Starting Hands Groups

s – suited
x – low card
T – 10 

1. AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AKs
2. TT, AQs, AJs, KQs, AK
3. 99, JTs, QJs, KJs, ATs, AQ
4. T9s, KQ, 88, QTs, 98s, J9s, AJ, KTs
5. 77, 87s, Q9s, T8s, KJ, QJ, JT, 76s, 97s, Axs, 65s
6. 66, AT, 55, 86s, KT, QT, 54s, K9s, J8s, 75s
7. 44, J9, 64s,  T9, 53s, 33, 98, 43s, 22, Kxs, T7s, Q8s
8. 87, A9, Q9, 76, 42s, 32s, 96s, 85s, J8, J7s, 65, 54, 74s, K9, T8

The poker starting hands listed in each group first have higher rank. 

Texas Holdem Poker Preflop Strategy

Early position preflop first 3 position to the left of big blind)
Unraised:	Raised:
Aggresive games: unraised: first 3 groups	Tight player: first 2 groups (you should fold weaker combinations as KQs)
Normal game: first 4 groups	Loose player: first 3 groups
Passive games: first 4 groups + suited connectors	Advice: In case there are just few callers always raise preflop
Middle position preflop (5,6 and 7th position to the left of big blind)
Unraised:	Raised:
Aggresive games: unraised: first 4 groups	Tight player: first 2
Normal game: first 5 groups	Loose player: first 4 groups
Passive games: first 6 groups	Advice: Always raise preflop if there are few or no callers or you expect that other players will fold
Late position preflop (button and player to the right of the button)
Unraised:	Raised:
Aggresive games: unraised: first 6 groups	Tight player: first 3 groups
Normal game: first 7 groups	Loose player: first 5 groups
Passive games: first 8 groups	Advice: Always raise preflop if there are few or no callers
Blinds
Unraised:	Raised:
Aggresive games: unraised: first 2 groups	Tight player: first 2 groups (you should fold weaker combinations as KQs)
Normal game: first 3 groups	Trying to steal blinds: first 6 groups
Passive games: first 5 groups	Advice: Raise only with first 2 group hands

What Texas Holdem poker preflop rules to remember: 

• always raise preflop, rarely call unless you are in blinds
• in raised pot preflop rather re-raise or fold than call
• always make your decisions based on your poker starting hands strength - preflop odds, position and quality of your opponents
  

For more complex view into Texas Holdem poker preflop strategy and strategy on and after the flop check our the best poker books reviews or recommended learning poker portals that can be found in our learn how to play poker section. 

Poker Hand Nicknames Poker Hand Rankings

Preflop Strategy by Casinator.com