Hand selection is one of the most important aspects of Hold’Em Strategy. The way that you play your hands is determined largely by what it is you’re holding, so deciding which you’re going to play is a decision of worth. Of course, any strategy that’s effective could be argued as the correct one. It’s just up to you to decide how you play best, and use that knowledge to decide which hands you should be playing.

Here are a few things that you should remember when looking at the two cards dealt to you at the beginning of each hand. Follow these guidelines, and it won’t be long before you start to see yourself winning some hands.

Learn to Fold

Before you do anything else, you have to learn to fold. There is an innate desire in all of us to play all the hands we’re dealt. We’re poker players, and we want to win. We also want to play a lot of poker. This leads us to trying to justify playing marginal hands, based upon the hope that we’ll hit something on the flop and be able to play.

This is, of course, the wrong way to start. Perhaps after playing for a few years you will have the experience to bet aggressively with nothing and win pots, but when you’re starting, stick to the basics.

So make sure you have the ability to fold. Practice it while you’re on the tables. Look at your cards intending to fold every single time. That way, it’ll be a nice surprise when you get something you can actually play.

Hand Quality

One of the most important things you can learn when beginning to play Hold’Em, is that not all starting hands are created equal. In fact, most starting hands are completely worthless and will net your far, far more trouble than they are worth. We could get into a discussion of specific odds for hands, but in general, remembering the following is a good starting point:

• Big Pocket Pairs (AA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT)
  These are strong right out of the gate – don’t forget to bet!
• Big Face Cards (AK, AQ, AJ, KQ)
  While strong, these hands may miss entirely. Bet, but don’t get too attached to them.
• Speculative Hands (ATs, JT, QJ, T9s, 23s, etc)
  These hands have the potential to become monsters, so be careful as you’re playing them.
• Anything else
  Is probably only worth folding!

Position

The position you are on the table relative to where the blinds are is critical in your hand selection. Generally speaking, the later your hand position, the more liberal you can be with the hands you’re playing.

The reason for this is that you are able to see your opponent’s decisions before you have to make your own. This can put you in a good position to fold if you need to, or to bet if you sense weakness.

If the blinds and the dealer button are to your right, you’re in early position. This means that you want to play only premium hands. If you’re across the table from the blinds and the dealer, then you’re in middle position. Here you can play a few more hands, but don’t go too crazy! Finally, if the blinds and the dealer are to your left, then you’re in late position and in the best possible place to make bets.

Position is just as important as your cards! Make sure you pay attention to it.

It may take a beginner quite some time to get a handle on the way that Hold’Em works. The first thing you can do to improve your play is to generate a good set of rules regarding hand selection. Remember to fold quite often, pay attention to table position and play the hands you do play as best as you can. Follow these rules and you’ll be off to a good start playing Texas Hold’Em!

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