Texas Holdem,
Poker Odds,
Hand Selection
May 22 2008
Thanks to the explosion of poker on television and online, almost all poker players know that the worst starting hand in Texas Holdem is 7-2 offsuit. Unless you’re playing in a game with a 7-2 prop you should always fold when you find the worst of the worst in your hole cards. But after 7-2, what else is so bad that it’s almost never worth playing? Here’s a quick rundown of the top five worst hands in Holdem, statistically speaking.
1.
7-2 offsuit. Like we said before, it’s the lowest of the low. They can’t make a straight and even if you pair the board you’re likely not holding the best hand at the table.
2.
8-2 offsuit. This hand has the same problems as 7-2. There are no straight possibilities and a pair of 8s isn’t much better than a couple 7s. If a face card appears on the board, you’re cooked.
3.
8-3 offsuit. If you can think of one good reason that 8-3 is a lot better than 8-2, you will always be welcome at home games. Once again, no chance of making a straight and making a pair is worthless.
4.
7-3 offsuit. The numbers on 8-3 and 7-3 are almost identical - they’re that bad. With 7-3 you could actually make a straight with 4-5-6 on the board, but you’ll get cleaned out if another player has 7-8.
5.
6-2 offsuit. Look, it’s 7-3’s slightly better cousin! Slightly better because the odds just barely fall in 6-2’s favor. Like 7-3 you can make a straight on the inside fall on the board – 3-4-5. Also like 7-3, you’ll be crying if another player has 6-7.
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Texas Holdem Rules!
