Quick reference

Poker cheat sheet

Everything you need at a glance for Texas Hold'em — hand rankings, which starting hands to play, and simple position and pot-odds tips. Print it and keep it handy.

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Hand rankings (best → worst)

  1. 1Royal flush10-J-Q-K-A, one suit
  2. 2Straight flush5 in a row, one suit
  3. 3Four of a kindFour matching ranks
  4. 4Full houseThree + a pair
  5. 5FlushFive of one suit
  6. 6StraightFive in a row
  7. 7Three of a kindThree matching ranks
  8. 8Two pairTwo pairs
  9. 9PairTwo matching ranks
  10. 10High cardNothing — highest card

Want examples? See every hand with real cards →

Starting hands — what to play

  • Always raise

    Premium hands. Play these strong from any seat.

    AA

  • Usually play

    Strong pairs and big suited cards. Raise or call comfortably.

    AK

  • Play with care

    Decent hands — better in late position or a cheap pot.

    109

  • Mostly fold

    Weak, unconnected cards. Let them go and wait for better.

    72

Position tips

  • Acting last is the best seat — you've seen what everyone did first.
  • Play tighter (fewer hands) when you're early to act.
  • Open up and play more hands when you're on or near the button.
  • The blinds have already put money in — they can defend a little wider.

Pot odds, simply

  • Pot is $100, call is $20

    You're getting 5 : 1. You only need to win about 1 in 6 times to break even — an easy call with most draws.

  • Pot is $60, call is $40

    Roughly 1.5 : 1. You need to win about 40% of the time. Only call with a real hand or a strong draw.

  • Rule of thumb

    More chips already in the pot vs a small call = a better price. The cheaper the call, the more hands worth continuing.

Reading it is one thing. Playing it is another.

Put the cheat sheet to work — Wit coaches you through every hand.

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