Worst possible hands in poker
When it comes to getting started with poker, it’s always worth brushing up on what the worst poker hands are. It can be tempting to try to play anything with a bluff – but there are some poker hand rankings you should always avoid.
In this LeoVegas poker hand guide, we’ll take a look at the worst starting poker hands, and those you should never finish with. We’ll take you through why they’re so weak, and where they fall within the worst poker hand order overall.
The worst finishing hand in poker – card-high
The card-high, or high card, is absolutely the worst poker hand you can finish on – it’s not even one of the best poker hands for beginners. A high card is simply hedging your bets that one card will be higher than your opponent’s – a like-for-like comparison.
That said, it is possible to win a game of poker with a card-high. However, there are some pretty strict circumstances under which that would occur. For example, there are lower odds if you have more players in the game. And, given that the odds of you finishing any round with a high card sit at about 50%, you have a better chance of winning if there are fewer opponents.
However, we don’t ever suggest that you risk a three-player game on a card-high unless you have absolutely no option – it’s a move that will kill your game.
The worst finishing hands in poker – pair
The pair is the second-lowest option in the poker hand chart, and the name describes it perfectly. Simply make a pair of two cards of matching rank – for instance, two sevens or two kings.
This hand is only marginally better than the card-high if you’re using it as a finishing play. However, probability again suggests that there’s a possibility you could win with a pair – more than 50%, in fact.
The odds of you drawing and finishing a game with a winning pair can vary depending on a few different factors. For example, you could have a high-value pair that will fare well in a tie-break – for example, two kings.
The number of players in the game will, again, cause your odds to vary. If there are fewer players, then there’s less chance of higher-scoring hands being made at any given time.
Also, consider that you may be playing a type of game that has community cards – such as Texas hold’em – which can change the hands in play at any time. You also need to consider that you never truly know what your opponents will have in their hands, and that betting patterns will vary.
Ultimately, the strength of your pair will dictate how good a hand it really is in practice. Your best chance of playing a final hand with a pair will be to lead with a strong rank – don’t risk it all on two fives, for example, when you could play two queens or jacks.
Worst starting hands in poker
When playing Texas hold’em poker, there are always going to be a few starting hands that really set you off on the wrong foot.
For example, there’s the seven-two offsuit, which is widely regarded as statistically the worst combination to start with. The large split in value makes this a difficult pair to turn into a better play, and even if you double them up, you still have a pretty weak hand.
Then, there’s the eight-three offsuit, which only has slightly better odds than the seven-two. If you pull this, you’re still not heading for a good game.
From there, be wary of hands such as the six-two offsuit. These are still very low-value cards that are hard to make flushes and straights from – and, again, they won’t match up well if you end up in a tie.
We would also recommend being cautious around the 10-five offsuit, which, like others listed here, simply doesn’t overpower other hands easily enough. There’s also limited potential for you being able to make a good flush or straight.
Lastly, the jack-two offsuit is often just as bad as the rest of the hands discussed here – but it’s sometimes worse because it can trick you into thinking that it’s playable! Don’t risk it – it’s a weak hand that flatters to deceive, and will only lead you into a trap.
Of course, there’s not so much you can do if you start with any of these hands – meaning that it’s also a good idea to be aware of when you should use them, if at all, and if there’s any way back from them.
When should I play using a poor starting hand?
It probably doesn’t sound right at all to be using what we’ve just referred to as poor starting hands. However, there are some instances where you might be able to utilise them.
First of all, remember that poker is a game about bluffing – meaning that even with poor-value hands, you could convince others that you actually have a fantastic hand. That said, you need to make sure that you have a high enough play in the showdown, or you’ll end up with egg on your face.
Short-handed poker games, meanwhile, might be appropriate for playing the above hands – simply because there’s less chance of better hands appearing with fewer players. If you’re in a late position, you’ll be able to see how other players have handled the round, and might therefore know how well a poor opening hand is likely to fare.
Finally, remember that you can check for free in the big blind – meaning that you can waive your turn and let someone else take your place.
While remembering the worst hand rankings out of all the winning poker hands might seem daunting at first, once you’ve tried a few games in a live casino or elsewhere, you’ll start to recognise the patterns that are worth following and the plays you need to avoid!