The Worst Starting Hands To Avoid In Texas Hold’em

This article will discuss a very important topic in texas hold’em, which is starting hand requirements, and more specifically, which kinds of hands you should avoid playing.

It is an incredibly crucial concept to get your head around as novice players can easily be mistaken for thinking they can play a super wide range of hands because they’ve seen some high stakes pro take down a huge pot after playing a very mediocre holding like one discussed below.

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But this is playing poker dangerously even the worst starting hands in Texas Hold’em can give professional players headaches and even though poker pros play a lot of hands, doesn’t mean the novice player is capable of doing the same, as they lack post flop abilities.

When you’re dealt one of the worst starting hands, however, there is no reason to play like a donkey. The key is playing a solid game and having the discipline to muck mediocre hands that you know can get you into trouble.

1. 7-2 7-2 off suit is undoubtedly the worst starting hand in Texas Hold’em. These two are the lowest possible cards that cannot make a straight. After all, there are four cards between 2 and 7. In fact, even when they are suited, they make a very low flush or, in the event that either becomes a pair, a horribly low hand. Because 7-2 is the worst starting hand, many players ham it up and play it for fun.

2. 8-2 8-2 earns a place among the worst starting hands in Texas Hold’em for precisely the same reason that 7-2 does. Suited or not, you’d do well to hold or fold this hand.

3. Tie: 8-3 and 7-3 While these are slightly better than the first two, they’re some of the worst starting hands known to man. These two can beat no other hands except for the first two.

4. 6-2 Against four players, this hand is expected to lose 90% of the time. These are terrible odds, and this is precisely why 6-2 is one of the worst starting hands a player could ever get.

5. Tie: 9-2, 9-3, and 9-4 Here’s one reason why these three qualify under worst starting hands: the only thing going for them is the 9. But even if the 9 pairs, you’ll still be left with a middle pair that could be beaten by pocket 10s, jacks, queens, kings, or aces.

6. 10-2 This hand has been conferred an almost mythical sheen because ferocious poker player Doyle Brunson used it to capture two World Series of Poker Bracelets. But think wisely. You are not Doyle Brunson, who is widely considered one of the best at the game. Unless you are Doyle Brunson or someone better than Doyle Brunson, please do not convince yourself this is a good hand.

7. 9-5 People call the 9-5 the Dolly Parton and despite it being one of the worst starting hands in Hold’em, many play it because it’s fun. Unfortunately, a funny name doesn’t guarantee a sure win, and 9-5 is a statistically proven loser.

8. Tie: 7-4, 5-4, 5-3, 6-3… Do not even contemplate holding onto these starting hands. Toss ‘em. Please just toss ‘em. Even when suited, these rarely win, and you can be up against better flush combinations.

9. Face card + low card, unsuited Here’s a common mistake that beginners make. Once they see any paint (such as jacks, queens, or kings), they play it. While this may not be the worst starting hand one could get, it could fool you into thinking you have a winning hand with top pair, when you don’t.

10. Ace + low card, unsuited. Also known as playing ace rags. This is another mistake that you see lots of beginners make. They play the ace plus a low card. While heads-up, this is a good hand, it seldom wins at a full ring table since there is a good chance you will be dominated.

Now that you know what the ten worst starting hands are to play in no limit texas hold’em, you can hopefully find a way to work your play around them by having the patience and discipline to avoid playing these junk hands that have little chance of being the winner at showdown. After all, no general should have to lose the war just because of a few rotten soldiers.

The problem with playing these garbage hands is that because you will rarely flop a big hand with them, when you decide to play them, you’ll often be tempted to bluff more often when it’s the wrong time and the wrong opponent to try and bluff, simply because you can’t win at showdown. You can avoid all of this if you simply decide to just fold the worst starting hands before the flop.