Playing poker online is the easiest way you can play the game. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when you decide where to play. Many players don’t realize that they should have more money at a table than they think. It’s important to have enough cash to withstand a bad run of cards, so sit at a table with at least 100 times the big blind.

Another thing to consider is the game you decide to sit in. If you play a tight style of poker, then an aggressive game will suit you best. If you like to force the action, you want to play against players who wait for big cards and take advantage of the fact that a flop misses them more than it hits. And try to maintain a good attitude. If the game is upsetting you, it means it’s time to stop playing for awhile.

If you’re playing Texas Hold’em, the two pocket cards you’re dealt will fall into a category of ranking. Different situations require that you play cards of a different rank. Here’s a breakdown of hands for Texas Hold’em.

Premium hands consist of big pocket pairs and Aces with a King or Queen. These hands have the highest winning percentage pre-flop and are normally played with a lot of aggression.

Medium-strength hands consist of Ace, Jack or Ace, 10 and medium pocket pairs, Jacks to 8’s. Suited connectors fit into this category if they’re bigger than 10, 9. Hands like K, Q also, especially if they’re suited.

Weaker Hands like 7, 8 and smaller pairs have a lower winning percentage and require that you hit a flop to make anything with them. It’s not recommended to play these hands often, but they can be valuable if you can get into the hand cheap.

Starting hand selection is the first and most important decision you will make in any hand. This is where you decide whether you’re going to play the hand or not.

When playing Texas Hold’em, the starting hand choices depend on your level of skill and the environment of the table at which you’re playing. Novice players should stick to good starting hands. A good rule is to only play with pocket pairs and two cards that add up to 20 or 21. This will limit the number of hands you play, but it will increase your winning percentage.

Once your game develops, you can start to add other types of hands like suited-connectors and Ace-suited. Even smaller connecting cards become a good choice when your position is right and you can get into the hand for a small price. But be careful not to play too many hands; that behaviour is rarely a profitable practice.