Ultimate Texas Hold’em strategy chart
Optimal play is a short list of rules. Learn the pre-flop chart first — it decides the game far more than the flop or river.
Short answer
Pre-flop, raise the maximum 4x with any pair 33 or higher, any ace, K2s+ / K5o+, Q6s+ / Q8o+, and J8s+ / JTo; otherwise check. That is 69 of 169 starting-hand types and about 37.7% of actual deals. On the flop raise 2x with two pair or better, a hidden pair, or four to a flush with a hidden 10-or-better; otherwise check. On the river bet 1x unless too many dealer hands beat you (the 21-outs rule).
Pre-flop: the interactive chart
Suited hands sit above the diagonal, offsuit below, pairs on it. Gold means raise 4x now; slate means check and see the flop for free. Hover any cell for the reason.
In numbers: 12 of 13 pairs raise, 32 suited types raise, and 25 offsuit types raise. The through-line is aggression: when in doubt with a big card, you raise.
Flop: raise 2x or check
If you checked pre-flop, raise 2x when you have any of:
- Two pair or better.
- A hidden pair — a pair that uses at least one of your hole cards (pocket twos are the lone exception).
- Four to a flush that includes one of your hole cards of that suit ranked ten or higher.
Otherwise check and go to the river. A pair sitting entirely on the board does not count — it is shared with the dealer, so it is no edge.
River: bet 1x or fold
On the river you almost always bet 1x. You only fold when enough unseen dealer hole-card combinations beat you — the classic threshold is 21. This is the single spot where folding is correct; the 21-outs deep dive shows exactly when.
Want to see the EV cost of a wrong raise-vs-check choice? The expected-value explorer puts a number on it.
Common questions
Do I really raise 4x with a weak ace?
Yes. Any ace raises 4x pre-flop, even A2. The ace’s showdown value plus the dealer-qualifies break make the maximum raise correct.
Why check some hands instead of raising small?
Because a free check preserves the chance to raise later on a hand that improves, and avoids committing 4x with a hand that plays poorly. The chart already weighs this — checked hands are checked for a reason.
Is there a fold in the pre-flop chart?
No. Every starting hand either raises 4x or checks. Folding only exists on the river.