Over the last four years, the popularity of poker has exploded as evidenced by the many crowded brick and mortar poker rooms world-wide, the numerous online poker rooms, the free poker, and the frequently televised WSOP tournaments.

Although a number of poker games--Holdem Poker, Omaha Poker, and 7-Card Stud Poker to name just a few--are available to play in WSOP tournaments, Holdem Poker has emerged as the most popular poker game. Therefore WSOP players must hone their Holdem Poker skills.

The popularity of Holdem Poker is partly due to its simple basic rules. And therin lies the paradox: On the surface, Holdem Poker appears simplistic; but below the surface, Holdem Poker is rife with subtleties, probabilities, and decisions.

WSOP Holdem Poker players must first decide which starting hands to play. That decision is crucial, because if they err, it is a mistake that will only worsen exponentially as the hand progresses.

WSOP Holdem Poker players must predicate their decision on which starting hands to play on their starting position before the flop.

Seats 1, 2, and 3 are Early Position. In Early Position, WSOP Holdem Poker players will play only superior starting hands: AA-77; AK-AT, suited and unsuited; KQ-KT, suited, KQ-KJ, unsuited; QJ-QT, suited and unsuited; JT-J9, suited; T9, suited.

Seats 4, 5, and 6 are Middle Position. In Middle Position, WSOP Holdem Poker players will play all of the Early Position starting hands and these additional hands: 66-55; A9-A6, suited; K9, suited; KT, unsuited; Q9, suited; J9, suited; JT, unsuited; T8, suited; 98, suited.

Seats 7 and 8 (button) are Late Position. In Late Position, WSOP Holdem Poker players will play all Early Position starting hands, Middle Position starting hands, and these additional hands: 44-22; A5-A2, suited; K8-K2, suited; K9, unsuited; Q8, suited; Q9, unsuited; J8, suited; J9, unsuited; T9-T8, unsuited; 98-97, unsuited; 87, suited and unsuited; 86, suited; 76, suited; 75, suited; 65, suited.

Seat 9 is the Small Blind. In the Small Blind, WSOP Holdem Poker players will call a half-bet with Late Position starting hands or better.

Seat 10 is the Big Blind. In the Big Blind, WSOP Holdem Poker players will check as they have already placed a bet in the pot before the start of the hand.

WSOP Holdem Poker players should now have a general understanding of the proper starting hand selection.

When to raise or reraise before the flop and other advanced strategies will be covered in subsequent articles.

WSOP

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