Essential Strategies or Know your starting hands

When youre starting your initial round of betting, its important to know whether or not the hand you have is worth playing. In Texas Holdem, you have two cards to start, and youll need to decide if you should play them or fold.

Hands to raise: Pairs of tens, face cards or Aces are almost always a good hand to raise with. An Ace and a King or an Ace and a Queen are strong hands as well. If you have these hands, bet before the flop to raise the value of the pot.
Hands to call: An Ace with a face card, or two consecutive face cards of a different suit are strong hands to call with. Two consecutive nonface cards of the same suit can work in your favor. Low pairs should call, but not raise.