Starting Hands — beginner ranges by position

Your starting hands matter because most big mistakes happen before the flop. The goal is simple: play hands that make strong pairs, strong draws, and strong top pairs, especially when you’re out of position.

The biggest driver of starting-hand selection is position:

• Early position = play tighter (you act first postflop).
• Late position = play wider (you act last postflop).
• Blinds = special case (you already invested money, but you’re often OOP).

Three simple styles: tight, standard, loose

Think of your preflop range like a volume knob. You can adjust it based on table softness, opponents, and your confidence postflop.

• Tight: fewer hands, fewer tough spots, lower variance. Great for beginners.
• Standard: solid default. You contest enough pots without punting.
• Loose: more hands, more steals, higher variance. Needs good postflop skill.

Starting hands by position (beginner-friendly)

These are simple open-raise guidelines for 6-max cash (or similar structures). Use them as a baseline and adjust later.

UTG / LJ (early position)

Play tight. You will be out of position against multiple players.

• Pairs: 77+
• Broadways: AQ+, KQ
• Suited: AJs+, KQs

HJ (middle position)

You can open a bit wider.

• Pairs: 66+
• Broadways: AJ+, KQ, QJ
• Suited: ATs+, KJs+, QJs, JTs

CO (late position)

Late position = more steals and more playable hands.

• Pairs: 55+
• Aces: A9s+, ATo+
• Broadways: AT+, KJ+, QJ, JT
• Suited connectors: T9s, 98s, 87s

BTN (best position)

Button is where you can open the widest because you’ll be IP postflop.

• Pairs: 22+
• Aces: A2s+, A9o+
• Kings: K8s+, KTo+
• Queens: Q9s+, QTo+
• Jacks: J9s+, JTo
• Suited connectors: T9s, 98s, 87s, 76s
• Suited one-gappers: 97s, 86s (optional)

SB (small blind)

Small blind is the worst seat. You’re OOP postflop and already paying extra. Beginners should keep it simple.

• Default plan: play tighter than Button and mostly raise or fold.
• Value: 66+, ATs+, AJo+, KQs, KJs, QJs
• Optional steals (vs tight BB): some suited aces and suited connectors

BB (big blind)

Big blind is different: you rarely open, but you defend vs raises because you already invested money.

• Defend wider vs small opens and late-position steals.
• Defend tighter vs early-position opens.
• Prefer hands that have playability: suited hands, connected hands, and hands that can make strong top pairs.

What makes a hand “good” preflop?

• High cards (make top pair with good kicker)
• Pairs (can make sets and strong showdowns)
• Suited (more draws, higher equity realization)
• Connected (straights, strong boards coverage)

Hands become worse when they are:

• dominated (like A7o vs better aces)
• offsuit and disconnected (hard to make strong hands)
• too weak OOP (you won’t realize your equity well)

Beginner rules that save money

1. Play tighter OOP.
2. Raise first in. Limping creates tough multiway pots with weak ranges.
3. Don’t overplay weak aces. A lot of losses come from dominated top pairs.
4. On the Button, steal more. Position prints money.
5. In the blinds, defend with playable hands, not “hope hands.”

Mini checklist (every preflop decision)

1. What is my position?
2. Am I opening, calling, or 3-betting?
3. Will this hand be dominated often?
4. Will I be IP or OOP postflop?
5. Is this a tight, standard, or loose spot?

Next step: Range Builder

Try the Range Builder to create your own tight/standard/loose ranges by position and practice them until they feel automatic.