There are literally millions of starting hands in a game of poker, but only 169 different starting two-card combinations, assuming 7p, 8c is the same as 7c, 8d. We assume this only because both hands have identical hand strength before the flop. So we can classify these starting hands into the following groups:

• Torque: 7.7; 2.2.
• Connected Cards: 3.4; 5.6.
• Suitable connectors: 3d, 4d; 5h, 6h
• Cards with gaps: 3.7; 5.10.
• Suited spaces: 2d, 8d; 6c, 10c

A couple of observations to keep in mind:

Connected cards make more straight. The closer the two cards are to each other, the more likely they are to form a straight. that is, with 7.8, you are more likely to make a straight than with 7.10.

Cards with gaps are the worst types of cards to play. Cards with gaps of the same suit are the least valuable, followed by cards with gaps of the same suit.

Starting hands in starting position.

Peers: 7’s to Aces.

Continued:

AK, AQ, AJ, A10

KQ, KJ, K10

QJ, Q10

D10, D9

10.9.

inadequate:

AK, AQ, AJ, A10

KQ, KJ, K10

Starting hands in middle position

Peers:From 5 to Ace.

Continued:

AK, AQ, AJ, A10, A9, A8, A7, A6.

KQ, KJ, K10, K9.

QJ, Q10, Q9, Q8.

D10, D9, D8.

10.9 – 10.8.

9.8.

inadequate:

AK, AQ, AJ, A10

KQ, KJ, K10

QJ, Q10

D10

Starting hands in late position

Peers:2’s to Aces.

Continued:

Any Ace of the same suit.

KQ, KJ, K10, K9.

QJ, Q10, Q9, Q8.

D10, D9, D8, D7

10.9 – 10.8.

9.8.

8.7.

inadequate:

AK, AQ, AJ, A10

KQ, KJ, K10, K9

QJ, Q10, Q9

D10, D9.

10.9 – 10.8

9.8.

This is a bit tighter than Krieger’s starting hands, because I think his selection is too loose, especially in late position. This is still a pretty liberal preflop payrate, and you can adjust a bit beyond this to improve your overall EV (expected value). This table is only a guide, and players should only see the BB (big blind). For raises, you should probably only play the front line of each category per position.