Pocket Card Selection!

If you like to play Hold’em aggressively, then this Texas Hold'em strategy is for you. Learn about the best and worst pocket cards available and how to play them, here.

Most professional players will agree that good Texas Hold'em strategy lies in the first few minutes of the game – the pocket card selection stage. This is because the choices you make here are likely to both affect and determine the outcome of the rest of the game, such that making wise choices is critical. In this chapter of Texas Hold'em strategy, we will overview the various pocket card options for an aggressive player.

The best possible cards that can be played using aggressive Texas Hold'em strategy are Jack to Ace pairs. If they are suited, even better. When you are dealt a pair of Aces, Kings, or an A-K, then you should raise and re-raise before the flop regardless of your playing position. Queen and Jack pairs are less strong, yet still give you an enormous chance of building a winning hand before the flop.

The next best pocket cards that can be chosen with an aggressive Texas Hold'em strategy are combinations of Ace to 10, preferably suited. These pocket cards are worth pursuing because they all give decent chances of pulling flush or straight draw hands. High cards such as these should be raised towards the end of the round on condition that no one else has yet raised.

Your Texas Hold'em strategy wouldn’t be complete without a list of OK pocket cards. This includes a pair of 8’s and 7’s, suited J-9, suited, 10-9, suited 9-8, suited 8-7, and a suited Ace with any other card. Try to play these cards from a late position, otherwise only raise them if all other players prior have folded. Yet don’t give up on them too quickly – these cards have the potential to become incredible hands.

The only other pocket cards left that are still worth pursuing (but only just) are all pairs under 7, consecutive suited cards (such as 5-6, 2-3…), suited K-9, suited Q-9, and Ace, King or Queen with 10. The only way these cards can become good is if the board rescues you. Your chip-stack will surely run out quickly if you pursue these in favour of the better Texas Hold'em strategy pocket cards already mentioned above.

All other pocket cards should be folded – they are not suited to aggressive Texas Hold'em strategy play.