In Texas Holdem Poker the first decision you will make is whether or not you will continue playing your hole cards to see the flop. This decision is based on the value of your two hole cards alone. Let's look at a list of top 10 Texas Holdem Poker beginning Hole Cards (or Pocket Cards).

AA, KK, QQ, AKs, AQs, JJ, KQ, AJs, AK

  Once you get a feel for Texas Holdem Poker you will understand why these are such good Holdem starting cards. First is AA it's the best of the best. Everyone jumps for joy (inside only of course) when they get these cards. If you have AA hole cards (Pocket Aces) you know for sure that nobody will beat you with just a pair (except for an another AA with the greater kicker). You will also have five chances to draw an another Ace, or even Quad Aces, Straight, or Full House.

  Next are KK (Pocket Kings) and QQ (Pocket Queens) these are valuable for the same reason that AA is valuable except KK and QQ are lesser pairs then AA.

  Now that you've got a feel for how nice top pairs are, you may be wondering why JJ is below AKs and AQs on the Top 10 Texas Holdem Poker starting cards lists. This is because if you have AK you can get an Ace or a King on the flop. Then all of a sudden a JJ pair won't be the highest pair in the game. But another reason AKs is better than JJ is that they are both Suited and Connectors. You have the possibility of either a Flush or an Ace high Straight.

  You now can see why these 10 Texas Holdem Poker Hole Cards (Pocket Cards) are so desirable. Each card is a high card AND are either 1) Pairs or 2) Suited and/or Connectors. Exactly what you want to go into the Texas Holdem Poker Flop