{"id":17,"date":"2015-08-17T00:00:26","date_gmt":"2015-08-17T04:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/testing.advancedpokertraining.com\/poker\/blog\/?p=17"},"modified":"2020-06-03T14:31:20","modified_gmt":"2020-06-03T18:31:20","slug":"the-importance-of-texas-holdem-starting-hands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pokertraining.com\/poker\/blog\/the-importance-of-texas-holdem-starting-hands\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Texas Holdem Starting Hands"},"content":{"rendered":"

[one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_code]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[\/fusion_code][fusion_text]No-Limit Texas Holdem can be a frustrating game for beginners.<\/p>\n

They tend to make the same error over and over again, sometimes without even knowing what’s wrong.<\/p>\n

One of the major mistakes of new players is playing too many hands. This can happen for various reasons: Becoming impatient, not wanting to look weak in front of their friends or just a vague feeling of being left out of the action. It could also be that they just don\u2019t know any better.<\/p>\n

Today you will learn a very simple point system that was developed by Edward Hutchison, to help you make a better starting hand selection.<\/p>\n

In a few simple steps, we will look at your two starting hands and assign a point value to each card. Additional points will be added for qualifiers such pairs, connected cards or cards of the same suite.<\/p>\n

Once we calculated the points of our starting hands, we determine if we can play this hands based on our position.<\/p>\n

Let’s get started:[\/fusion_text][\/one_full][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”20px” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

Step 1: Base Points<\/h2>\n

Every Ace counts as 16 points, every King as 14 points, a Queen is worth 13 points, Jack counts as 12 points and a Ten as 11 points. Every hand between Nine and Two counts as their face value (Nine = 9 points, Two = 2 points).[\/fusion_text][\/one_full][one_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Card<\/th>\nPoints<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

[\/fusion_text][\/one_third][one_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Card<\/th>\nPoints<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

[\/fusion_text][\/one_third][one_third last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Card<\/th>\nPoints<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n+2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

[\/fusion_text][\/one_third][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

Base Point Chart:<\/h4>\n

In this chart, we display all hand combinations and their added base points.[\/fusion_text][imageframe lightbox=”no” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] \"\"[\/imageframe][\/one_full][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/h4>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Card<\/th>\nPoints<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\"\"\"\"<\/td>\nAce of Heart + 16 pointsAce of Spade + 16 points<\/p>\n

= 32 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/td>\nKing of Heart + 14 pointsQueen of Club + 13 points<\/p>\n

= 27 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/td>\nJack of Heart + 12 pointsNine of Heart + 9 points<\/p>\n

= 21 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

[\/fusion_text][\/one_full][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”20px” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

Step 2: Qualification<\/h2>\n

In the next step, we add additional points if our hand meet the criteria of a qualification.<\/p>\n

We add 10 points if we have a pair, 4 points if both cards are of the same suit, 3 points if both cards are connected with no gap in between, 2 points for a gap of one card and 1 point for a gap of two cards.[\/fusion_text][\/one_full][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”20px” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Card<\/th>\nQualification<\/th>\nPoints<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\"\"\"\"<\/td>\nPair<\/td>\n+ 10 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"<\/td>\nSame Suit<\/td>\n+ 4 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"<\/td>\nConnected with 0 hands gap<\/td>\n+ 3 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"<\/td>\nConnected with 1 hands gap<\/td>\n+ 2 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"\"\"<\/td>\nConnected with 2 hands gap<\/td>\n+ 1 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

[\/fusion_text][\/one_full][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/h4>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Card<\/th>\nPoints<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\"\"\"\"<\/td>\nAce of Heart + 16 ppintsAce of Spade + 16 points<\/p>\n

Pair + 10 points<\/strong><\/p>\n

= 42 points<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/td>\nKing of Hear + 14 pointsQueen of Club + 13 points<\/p>\n

Connected with 0 hands gap + 3 points<\/strong><\/p>\n

= 30 points<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/td>\nJack of Heart + 12 pointsNine of Heart + 9 points<\/p>\n

Same Suit + 4 points<\/strong><\/p>\n

Connected with 1 hands gap + 2 points<\/strong><\/p>\n

= 27 points<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

[\/fusion_text][\/one_full][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”20px” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

Step 3: Analysis<\/h2>\n

Once we added up all points, we look can determine if our hand is playable from our current position.[\/fusion_text][\/one_full][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

Playable Hands<\/h4>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Position<\/th>\nPoints<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Late Position<\/td>\n25 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Middle Position<\/td>\n27 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Early Position<\/td>\n30 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
Memory hook: you can take Late Position as basis, then add +2 points for middle position (25 points + 2 points = 27 points) and another + 3 points for Early Position (25 points + 2 points + 3 points = 30 points)<\/div>\n

[\/fusion_text][\/one_full][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

Raising Hands<\/h4>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Position<\/th>\nPoints<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Late Position<\/td>\n29 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Middle Position<\/td>\n31 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Early Position<\/td>\n34 points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
Memory Hook: You can add + 4 points to each playable hand value. Example: Playable hand late position has 25 points. 25 points + 4 points = 29 points<\/div>\n

[\/fusion_text][\/one_full][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”20px” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]<\/p>\n

Step 4: Practice<\/h2>\n

[\/fusion_text][\/one_full][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]How can you practice your new poker skill?<\/p>\n

For starters, you can download and print out our free PDF cheat sheet for your next game: Download Now!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

For additional practice, we recommend you to take a look at our advanced poker training software.<\/p>\n

You can create a free account by clicking on the Start Training button below:<\/p>\n

\"start_training_button\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Once you created your new account, navigate to the member page and click on 9-Max icon.<\/p>\n

\"memberpage\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You can practice against 100 life-like opponents and play up to 500 hands an hour, with no waiting for slow opponents.<\/p>\n

Print out your starting hand selection cheat sheet and place it next to your computer. Try to calculate the points in your head, then check with your cheat sheet if you have been correct. Over time, you’ll notice, that you have to check your print less and less.<\/p>\n

\"gameplay1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Start your poker training now by clicking the Start Training button:<\/p>\n

\"start_training_button\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch a video of our amazing features right here:<\/p>\n