Texas Holdem Poker Tournament Strategy - Starting Hands

Welcome to the fifth in my Texas Holdem Poker Strategy Series, focusing on no limit Texas Holdem poker tournament play and associated strategies. In this article, we'll examine starting hand decisions.

It may seem obvious, but deciding which starting hands to play, and which ones to skip playing, is one of the most important Texas Holdem poker decisions you'll make. Deciding which starting hands to play begins by accounting for several factors:

* Starting Hand "groups" (Sklansky made some good suggestions in his classic "Theory of Poker" book by David Sklansky)

* Your table position

* Number of players at the table

* Chip position

Sklansky originally proposed some Texas Holdem poker starting hand groups, which turned out to be very useful as general guidelines. Below you'll find a "modified" (enhanced) version of the Sklansky starting hands table. I adapted the original Sklansky tables, which were "too tight" and rigid for my liking, into a more playable approach that are used in the Poker Sidekick poker odds calculator. Here's the key to these starting hands:

Groups 1 to 8: These are essentially the same scale as Sklansky originally proposed, although some hands have been shifted around to improve playability and there is no group 9.

Group 30: These are now "questionable" hands, hands that should be played rarely, but can be reasonably played occasionally in order to mix things up and keep your opponents off balance. Loose players will play these a bit more often, tight players will rarely play them, experienced players will open with them only occasionally and randomly.

The table below is the exact set of starting hands that Poker Sidekick uses when it calculates starting poker hands. If you use Poker Sidekick, it will tell you which group each starting hand is in (if you can't remember them), along with estimating the "relative strength" of each starting hand. You can just print this article and use it as a starting hand reference.

Group 1: AA, KK, AKs

Group 2: QQ, JJ, AK, AQs, AJs, KQs

Group 3: TT, AQ, ATs, KJs, QJs, JTs

Group 4: 99, 88, AJ, AT, KQ, KTs, QTs, J9s, T9s, 98s

Group 5: 77, 66, A9s, A5s-A2s, K9s, KJ, KT, QJ, QT, Q9s, JT, QJ, T8s, 97s, 87s, 76s, 65s

Group 6: 55, 44, 33, 22, K9, J9, 86s

Group 7: T9, 98, 85s

Group 8: Q9, J8, T8, 87, 76, 65

Group 30: A9s-A6s, A8-A2, K8-K2, K8-K2s, J8s, J7s, T7, 96s, 75s, 74s, 64s, 54s, 53s, 43s, 42s, 32s, 32

All other hands not shown (virtually unplayable).

So, those are the enhanced Sklasky Texas Holdem poker starting hand tables.

The later your position at the table (dealer is latest position, small blind is earliest), the more starting hands you should play. If you're on the dealer button, with a full table, play groups 1 thru 6. If you're in middle position, reduce play to groups 1 thru 3 (tight) and 4 (loose). In early position, reduce play to groups 1 (tight) or 1 thru 2 (loose). Of course, in the big blind, you get what you get.

As the number of players drops into the 5 to 7 range, I recommend tightening up overall and playing far fewer, premium hands from the better positions (groups 1 - 2). This is a great time to forget about chasing flush and straight draws, which puts you at risk and wastes chips.

As the number of players drops to 4, it's time to open up and play far more hands (groups 1 - 5), but carefully. At this stage, you're close to being in the money in a Texas Holdem poker tournament, so be extra careful. I'll often just protect my blinds, steal occasionally, and try to let the smaller stacks get blinded or knocked out (putting me into the money). If I'm one of the small stacks, well, then I'm forced to pick the best hand I can get and go all-in and hope to double-up.

When the play is down to 3, it's time to avoid engaging with big stacks and hang on to see if we can land 2nd place, heads-up. I tend to tighten up a bit here, playing very similar to when there's just 3 players (avoiding confrontation unless I'm holding a pair or an Ace or a King, if possible).

Once you're heads-up, well, that's a topic for a completely different article, but in general, it's time to become extraordinarily aggressive, raise a lot, and become "pushy".

In tournaments, it's always important to keep track of your chips stack size relative to the blinds and everyone else's stacks. If you're short on chips, then play far fewer hands (tigher), and when you do get a good hand, extract as many chips as you can with it. If you're the big stack, well, you should avoid unnecessary confrontation, but use your big stack position to push everyone around and steal blinds occasionally as well - without risking too many chips in the process (the other players will be trying to use you to double-up, so be careful).

Well, that's a quick overview of an improved set of starting hands and some general rules for adjusting starting hand play based upon game conditions throughout the tournament.

Until next time, best of luck to you at the Texas Holdem poker tables!

Rick

Rick Braddy is an avid writer, Texas Holdem player and professional software developer and marketer for over 25 years. His websites and Texas Holdem poker software helps people become better Texas Holdem players. If you're a poker player, be sure to visit his Texas Holdem poker poker today and learn how you can play better Texas Holdem poker, too.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Casino/Gambling Information:

Related Articles

2005 NFC South Football Preview
OVERVIEW: NFC SouthIn the NFC South look for Tampa Bay and Carolina to catch and over take the Falcons in 2005, the fall from grace will fall on the shoulders of QB Michael Vick who has been to a large extent a product of media hype, sure the guy runs like a deer but so do most wide receivers and that is exactly what Vick is, a wide receiver playing out of position.Remember the media hype surrounding Pittsburgh QB Kordell Stewart when he was in his "Slash" role with the Steelers? Then you also remember that he ended up saddling his team with disappointing loss after loss once other teams in his division and conference figured out how contain him in the pocket and make him play catch with his receivers.
Tips To Ponder Before Buying A Poker Table
Poker tables come in al shapes, sizes and prices.Folding poker tables are reasonable priced and can easily be stored away or brought with you to the cottage or a friend's houseRacetrack poker tables are probably the most popular tables on the market.
How To Play Craps
Craps is generally seen as a fun and exhilarating game by gambling enthusiasts and can be played at a number of reputable online casinos, such as VegasUSA. If you are not sure how to play craps, then this article is just for you.
Take Your Online Poker Game to the Next Level
Playing Poker online can be quite satisfying, and financially rewarding, if one uses the best possible online poker strategies. Some online poker players simply rush into games and hands without thinking about their options.
Why You Should Never Buy an Online Slot Machine System!
Playing online slot machines has become increasingly popular, as online casinos have grown in popularity. This growth in online gaming has seen an increase in the number of players looking for an easy way to hit the million jackpots and become one of the few high rollers who succeed in online slots.
Football Handicapping List
This will not be a long ad to buy our picks, but it will be a reminder to have all your ducks lined up so you, not us, are ready for the season. On our site we have several articles that cover most of the checklist below.
Always Look For The Best Online Sportsbook Before You Start Betting Online
Before you sign up with an Online Sportsbook and start betting online, you sure need to find out what to look for in a sportsbook service.The main idea of sports betting is to defeat so-called oddsmakers in order to win some money.
Multi-Player Slots - Why They Look Set for Huge Growth!
Slots are exciting and fun, but are a solitary playing experience. Many of us like to play with other players and this is where multi-player slots can enhance your online playing experience.
How to Win Free Online Poker Games
Online poker is very popular, but not everybody plays for real money. The free games are a good way for inexperienced players to get a feel for how the games are played and develop some card sense.
Texas Holdem Tournament Strategy - Poker Tournament Betting Basics
Welcome to the third in my Texas Holdem Strategy Series, focusing on no limit Texas Holdem poker tournament play and associated strategies. In this article, we'll build upon the poker tournament strategy fundamentals from last time, with some important poker betting strategy basics.
Hitting the Jackpot with Progressive Slot Machines
Going For the Million plus PaybackProgressive slot machines offer jackpots that are larger than flat top machines. In some cases, these jackpots are huge and the payback can change a player's life.
Three Card Poker Basics
Three card Poker is a fast paced game which is easy to learn for the novice card player.This game is played with a 52 card deck and is played between a dealer and a single player.
The Lottery Jackpot: Why You Havent Won Yet - And What You Can Do About It
Did you miss the lottery jackpot because the planets were in the wrong alignment..
Poker Tournament - Blind Stealing Strategy
Poker tournaments are often not epic confrontations between two premium hands in the later rounds when it all is decided. They are generally 60/40 or closer confrontations, which ultimately decide the outcome.
Roulette System: Confession of the Roulette Dealer on Dealers Signature
Roulette System: Confession of the Roulette Dealer on Dealer's signatureThis article is going to show you how you can use the dealer's signature to beat roulette.Not many people know this, but it's absolutely critical.
The Joys Of Playing Internet Poker
I started playing poker on the internet about six months ago and I must say I absolutely love it.I had had no real interest in poker until I watched it at a friends house on satellite TV.
Types of Online Roulette
Roulette - American and EuropeanAs many casino-savvy players already know, there are two main forms of online roulette. I plan on covering some of the differences between the two versions of this popular casino game and in doing so, helping you, the player, decide which game suits you best.
The Secret of Betting Dont
Pssst..
4 Tips to Improve Your Online Poker Game
Online Poker has increased in popularity exponentially over the past few years. More and more people are jumping into the poker game and some are making good money playing poker online.
Become the Casino of Life Where You Control the Outcome Rather Than Playing the Odds
I want to continue on the subject that I have been addressing as of late concerning building success.Often it seems when speaking of success many automatically assume that one is talking about the rich and elite.