Poker Rules
Monday, September 16, 2024

Starting Hand Rankings

Poker is a game of knowledge and decisions. The more you know, the more successful you’ll be. Have you ever faced a tough decision with a small pocket pair in early position in a tight game? Poker Zone can help. Sklansky’s Starting Hand Rankings provide recommendations on what hands to play in what positions based on the type of game you are in. We invite you to study up on your game and increase your winning ways!

RANK
HOLE CARDS
PLAYABLE POSITIONS
1
AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AKs
Early, Middle, Late
2
TT, AQs, AJs, KQs, AK
Early, Middle, Late
3
99, JTs, QJs, KJs, ATs, AQ
Early, Middle, Late
4
T9s, KQ, 88, QTs, 98s, J9s, AJ, KTs
Early, Middle, Late
5
77, 87s, Q9s, T8s, KJ, QJ, JT, 76s, 97s, Axs, 65s
Early*, Middle, Late
6
66, AT, 55, 86s, KT, QT, 54s, K9s, J8s, 75s
Middle**, Late
7
44, J9, 64s, T9, 53s, 33, 98, 43s, 22, Kxs, T7s, Q8s
Late***
8
87, A9, Q9, 76, 42s, 32s, 96s, 85s, J8, J7s, 65, 54, 74s, K9, T8

* Playable in early position if game is loose/passive.
** Playable in middle position if game is loose/passive.
***Playable in late position if you are the first to bet.
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