When you think about poker starting hands, the usual suspects come to mind—pocket aces, kings, queens, and suited connectors like AK or AQ. These are the hands players dream of, hands that consistently put you in a strong position pre-flop. But with 169 unique possible starting hands in Texas Hold’em, it’s easy to overlook the less obvious hands that have more value than they initially seem.
Below, we’ll dive into some of the most underrated starting hands in poker and explain why they deserve more credit than they often get.
Suited Gappers: 86s and 75s
Suited connectors get a lot of love because they offer the potential to make both straights and flushes. However, suited gappers—like 8♠ 6♠ or 7♦ 5♦—are often dismissed as marginal hands. The gap between the cards makes them look less appealing, but they can be dangerous in the right situations.
Why They’re Underrated:
- Straight and flush draw potential: Suited gappers give you both straight and flush draw potential, and they’re more disguised than obvious straight cards like 89 or 78.
- Multi-way pot advantage: These hands thrive in multi-way pots and can extract value when they hit unexpectedly.
- Disguised strength: Players don’t usually expect big hands from gappers, which means you can often get paid off when your draw completes.
Small Pocket Pairs: 22 to 66
Small pocket pairs like 2♦ 2♣ or 5♠ 5♦ are often folded, especially in early positions, due to their vulnerability. These hands are easily dominated by higher pairs or overcards, and when they don’t hit a set, it can be tricky to know what to do. However, they are goldmines in disguise.
Why They’re Underrated:
- Set mining: The ability to hit a set (three of a kind) on the flop is what gives these hands their value. When you do hit, small pocket pairs can win massive pots because your opponents rarely expect you to have trips.
- Low risk, high reward: You can often limp in or call cheap raises with small pairs, looking to either hit big or fold easily if you miss the flop.
- Late position play: In late positions, small pocket pairs are excellent for set-mining in multi-way pots, where your potential reward outweighs the risk.
Ace-X Suited: A7s to A5s
Hands like A♠ 7♠ or A♣ 5♣ may seem like weaker versions of big suited aces, but according to these guys, they offer unique advantages, particularly in multi-way pots.
Why They’re Underrated:
- Nut flush potential: These hands can make the best possible flush, meaning that when the board shows a flush possibility, you’ll have the highest ranking hand in the suit.
- Straight possibilities: A5s, in particular, is known for its ability to hit both wheel straights (A-2-3-4-5) and flushes. It’s a powerful yet stealthy hand when the right board comes out.
- Deceptiveness: Since players tend to assume you’re holding stronger aces (like AK or AQ) or weaker aces (like A2 or A3), hitting with mid-rank aces can surprise your opponents.
KQ Offsuit (KQo)
King-Queen offsuit is one of the most undervalued starting hands in poker, primarily because it’s just short of the premium hands. It doesn’t have the same strength as suited Broadway cards (like AKs or KQs), but it’s still powerful in many situations.
Why It’s Underrated:
- Good showdown value: KQ is often considered a drawing hand because it’s not a pocket pair, but it has excellent showdown value when it pairs with the board.
- Dominates weaker hands: It dominates weaker broadway hands like QJ and KJ.
- Aggressive potential: KQ offsuit can play aggressively pre-flop and serve as a good value bet post-flop when you hit a top pair.
Suited Aces with Low Kickers: A2s, A3s, A4s
Low suited aces like A♠ 3♠ or A♦ 4♦ don’t receive the same attention as stronger aces, but they have hidden value, especially in deep stack situations or when you’re playing against passive opponents.
Why They’re Underrated:
- Nut flush potential: Like the other suited aces, these hands have the potential to make the nut flush, which can win big pots when the flush hits.
- Straight potential: Hands like A4s can also make wheel straights, providing an extra layer of value.
- More playable in late positions: These hands are more playable from late position or in multi-way pots, where you can see the flop cheaply and potentially stack an opponent if you hit the nut flush or straight.
Queen-Jack Offsuit (QJo)
Queen-Jack offsuit, like Q♣ J♦, often gets overlooked because it’s not a premium hand and can be dominated by hands like AQ, KQ, or AK. However, it can be quite powerful in the right circumstances.
Why It’s Underrated:
- Versatile hand: It’s a versatile hand that plays well in position, offering the potential to hit straights, top pairs, and even two-pair hands.
- Aggressive play: When played aggressively, QJo can pick up uncontested pots pre-flop or post-flop against weaker hands.
- Drawing potential: It’s a solid drawing hand that can put pressure on opponents when you hit a top pair or straight draw.
Final Thoughts
While big pairs and suited connectors get all the glory, the hands listed above can be equally powerful when played correctly. They are more disguised, offer excellent drawing potential, and can win massive pots in the right situations. The key to mastering these underrated hands is understanding when and how to play them. By mixing these hands into your range, you’ll keep your opponents guessing and increase your chances of success at the poker table.
