Your starting hand in a game of poker is one of, if not the most, fundamental aspect that you need to consider before approaching a poker game. Being able to understand, analyze, and then act upon the cards you are initially dealt is the foundation of all later plays to be done in a round, and a sound logic behind this needs to be developed first before proceeding to later strategy.

First and foremost, one of your first stops should be to find a starting hand chart relevant to the poker game you are interested in. There is no one set chart out there as poker players and professionals alike are constantly debating over what may be a stronger or weaker starting hand, yet a solid-looking chart from a respected and trustworthy source will help give you a good idea of what you yourself should be looking for when you go about your poker plays.

While examining this chart, pay careful attention to the mid-range hands and the best possible hands to get, as well as what plays are generally associated with them. Statistically speaking, you are not likely to regularly receive one of the top starting hands; after all, that is why they’re considered the top hands in the first place. By focusing instead on a more comprehensive view and examining the mid-range hands as well as the top possible hands, you can give yourself a better overall understanding of how to best use what you are dealt in any particular round.

Carefully examining some possible plays that  players could make based on the different starting hands can also help give you a better understanding of how your opponents may act should they receive one of these hands as well. This knowledge can allow you to better anticipate what cards they may be holding, and you can use this to your own advantage. Of course, this isn’t a guaranteed way to successfully anticipate what they may have or how they may react, as there are countless different starting charts and approaches available out there for different players to use, but many similarities still exist between them and close examination for improved insight is worth more than anything you would otherwise be able to glean.

Once you feel you have a good understanding of what starting hands would be most beneficial for you, your next step should be to focus on the plays at hand and your opponents in particular. The early stages of a game can tell you a lot about what to expect from a player, giving you a more solid read on what they may hold later on and how they may act in different situations that may be presented to them. Use the time available to you at the beginning of a game to thoroughly analyze your opponents and get a better picture of what they may be holding in their hands, as well as how they may react to any particular play you will make in your favor.

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