The first thing you really have to understand when playing Texas Hold'em, or any other kind of poker, is which hands are good and which hands are bad. That’s obvious enough. Though it depends on the number of people in the game, as well as the kind of poker being played, this section will provide you with a general guide to use when just starting out in the world of poker. Use this guide with caution, of course, because it’s not set in stone, but we think you’ll agree that knowing the following information is much, much better than going in “blind.” We suggest starting off at fixed-limit tables of $1-$2 or less.

HANDS TO RAISE WITH:

These are “premium hands” that you want to jam the pot with, pre-flop:

A-A
K-K
Q-Q
A-K
J-J
A-Q
10-10

HANDS TO CALL WITH:

You want to see the flop with these hands and then decide. Don’t call three bets with these hands; call only one or two:

A-J
K-Q
Q-J
J-10
10-9 (only if they’re of the same suit)
9-9
8-8
7-7
A-X (only if they’re of the same suit)