Poker starting hands chart

Which hands to raise first in from each seat at a 6-max Texas Hold’em table, as a printable chart. It is a simplified starting point, not a full strategy.

Learn these ranges in QuadsDownload PDF

How to read the chart

Each square is one starting hand.

• PairsDown the diagonal, from AA to 22.
• SuitedAbove the diagonal. Both cards are the same suit, so AKs is ace-king suited.
• OffsuitBelow the diagonal. AKo is ace-king in two different suits.
• Filled or emptyA filled square means raise when everyone before you has folded. An empty square means fold.

Pick a position above the chart to change the grid.

Why position matters

• Early seatsUnder the gun five players still have to act after you, and any of them can wake up with a big hand, so only strong hands are worth a raise.
• Late seatsOn the button only the blinds act after you and you act last on every street after the flop, so many more hands can win money. See early and late position in the glossary.
• The blindsFew players are left to act, but you act first after the flop, which is a handicap, so the blinds grid is tighter than late position.

What this chart is, and is not

The ranges are the ones Quads uses for a solid regular raising first in. This is the share of hands raised from each seat group.

It is a simplified 6-max starting point. It says nothing about facing a raise, limping, or the stack depth, and a good player will widen it against weak opponents and tighten it against strong ones. Treat it as a first draft to learn from, not a rule.

New to the game? Start with poker for beginners. To check who wins when you do play a hand, see what beats what and the full poker hand rankings. To learn why these ranges are shaped the way they are, and to practise them in short free lessons, try Quads.

Questions

What is a good starting hand chart for 6-max?

This one is a simplified starting point: it shows the hands a solid player raises first in from each seat, and folds the rest. It does not cover facing a raise, limping or what to do after the flop, and strong players adjust it to their table.

What does the s and o mean in AKs and AKo?

The s means suited, both cards the same suit, and the o means offsuit, two different suits. Suited hands are a little stronger because they can make a flush.

Why do you play fewer hands from early position?

Because more players still act after you, and any of them can hold a strong hand. Acting last is an advantage, so late seats can raise many more hands.

What is 6-max poker?

No Limit Hold’em at a table of up to six players, so the seats are the under the gun, the hijack, the cutoff, the button, the small blind and the big blind.

Can I print this chart?

Yes. Print the page, or use the PDF link, and you get one sheet with all four positions side by side.

Learn these ranges in Quads

Practise it in 5 minutes Free, five minutes a lesson. Learn why each range is shaped the way it is.

Quads is for adults, 18 and over. It teaches with play chips only: there is no real money, ever.