Playing solid profitable limit hold’em is a matter of starting hand selection, position and understanding pot odds. If your not familiar with pot odds you will find a section devoted to pot odds in almost every poker book on the market.

Position is the most overlooked part of hold’em when players first start learning the game. The later you act each round, the more information you will have to make decisions with and the less likely it will be that you are raised by a player behind you. For example, K9 in first position is not a hand you want to be calling or raising with because one of the nine hands behind you probably has you beat but K9 on the button after everyone folds might be worth a raise since you only have to beat two hands instead of a full table. The best position to be in is on the button and the worst is the small blind since the small blind is the first player to act in each of the remaining betting rounds. The more information you have before you are required to act, the better your results will be. This is the main reason to only play strong hands from early position. Here are some starting hand suggestions. As you gain experience you will be able to deviate from them depending on the make-up of your opponents, your table image and your ability to play correctly after the flop.


Early Position - AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AKs, AK, AQs, AQ, AJs, KQs

Middle Position - TT, 99, AJ, ATs, AT, KQ, KJs, KJ, QJs, KTs

Late Position - 88, 77, 66, 55, 44, 33, 22, Axs, KT, K9s, QTs, JTs


This chart is just a guide and you must adapt it to the situation you are in. For example if I am in middle position with AJ and there is a raise and re-raise in front of me, I will fold unless the re-raiser is a terrible player. A solid player won't re-raise an early position raise without a very strong hand. In late position, the small pairs are only good if they flop a set, which only happens one out of about every eight times. This means that for you to be profitable playing small pairs you must be able to win over eight times your investment when you do hit your hand.

Concentrate on playing quality “Top 10” starting hands when you first start to learn hold’em, this will keep you in the game while you learn the more subtle techniques that are required to beat the tougher games. When you stick to the powerful starting hands your opponents will start to fear your bets and raises because they’ll see that your always playing something strong. Once you’ve mastered the basics you can add some other starting hands like 10/J suited to avoid the risk of being too predictable.

1. Don't play too big too soon.
When deciding at what poker table to play, choose your game size. Start out at the smaller stakes and move up to bigger stakes gradually as you become a more accomplished player. The exact stakes depend on your bankroll. Feel comfortable with the game you've chosen and don't overextend yourself.

2. Watch other players and learn.
Observe a game before joining and after you join, look carefully at the players at your table. Look at how they play hands, the size of their bets, and the hands they choose to play. Careful observations of others can guide your own play.

3. Play good starting cards, but be patient!
If you don't have the cards, it's preferable to fold. But if you have good starting cards, and sometimes you just have to wait until they come, it's time to take action. What starting cards should you play? As a general rule, play pairs and big Ace hands (A-K, A-Q). Don't feel you have to play every single hand. Wait for the cards - they'll come.

4. Play when you're ready to play.
Play poker when you're in a good frame of mind and able to concentrate on the cards and the action. Remember that people make mistakes when they're not focused. Play when you have the time to play, not when you're under pressure for some reason.

5. Gain experience at small satellites.
Participating in small satellite tournaments, whether they lead to larger cash tournaments or mainland poker competitions, gives you the maximum chance of a big payday without a large payout. It all depends on the size of your bankroll. Small satellites offer you a good way to learn cheaply.

6. Take advantage of promotions.
Freerolls may seem like free-for-alls with many inexperienced players, but playing in them is a great learning experience at no risk. Look for other exciting poker competitions in which you can participate at a low cost.

7. Favor on the side of caution.
If you're not sure whether to pass or to bet, better to be steady and pass. Remember Rule #3 - be patient! The good cards will come.

8. Play as much as you can.
The only way to learn how to play great poker is by gaining experience. There are no shortcuts. More experience means more accomplishments. Practice in play is far better than reading poker books or trying to learn by watching television. You learn more at the table, even if several lessons of how to lose are included.

9. Never be ashamed to ask questions.
If you find yourself at a table facing a poker professional (like one of Noble Poker's poker experts), feel free to ask questions so that you can learn.

10. Choose the right game.
Selecting what type of poker game to play is important. The most popular game is Texas Hold'em and there's no need to buck this trend while learning the ropes. Only try other variations of poker when you're confident in your abilities. However, once you've mastered Hold'em, feel free to try other games. And if you find yourself losing at Hold'em, try Omaha or Omaha Hi-Lo. Shake it up a bit to get out of a losing trend. Remember, the whole purpose of playing poker is to have fun.