This is, by far, one of the most important concepts in Texas Holdem. Playing a top ten strategy is the very first strategy that players should learn because it teaches the player good habits that lead will lead to later success.

People are always asking me what a good, solid strategy is for a beginner playing Texas Hold'em. My answer is always the same, play a top ten strategy.

Top Ten strategy, refers to the the top ten pockets hands that you can have. These hands are AA, KK, QQ, AK suited, JJ, TT, 99, 88, AQ suited, and 77. The strategy suggests that you only play these hands. This will lead to very conservative play, but for a beginner to texas holdem, conservatively is exactly how you want to play.

It seems to me that I am always seeing newbies playing very agressively, they are the first ones to go all in, and that is generally the wrong strategy. If these beginner players would stick to a top ten poker strategy, they would come out much better in the long run. More importantly, this conservative top ten poker strategy will teach the beginning player patience, which is the most important virtue that a texas holdem player can possess.