Understanding the Strength of Starting Texas Holdem Hands

The starting hands (the two cards dealt face down in a Texas Hold'em game) are listed in groups according to their relevant strength. The key to understanding this listing is:

Ace - A
King - K
Queen - Q
Jack - J

Note: In Poker shorthand, AKs means Ace and King of the same suit.

The Strongest Starting Hands:
Pair of high cards - AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 1010
Ace and high card suited - AK, AQ, AJ, A10
Faces suited - KQ, KJ, QJ
Ace King - AK

Medium Strength Starting Hands:
Face ten suited - K10, Q10, J10
Medium pairs - 99, 88, 77
Two high cards - AQ, AJ, A10, KQ down to J10
Ace and medium suited - A9, A8, A7
Medium suited connectors - 109, 98, 87

Other Conditional Starting Hands:
Low pairs - 66, 55, 44, 33, 22
Ace and low suited - A6, A5, A4, A3, A2
Low suited connectors - 76, 65, 54

In other words, if you are dealt the King and Queen of Clubs, this is a much stronger hand than if you would have received a pair of nines.

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