Table and rules
Hole cards in poker
Definition
The private cards dealt face down to each player; in Texas Hold'em every player gets two.
Hole cards are combined with the community cards on the board to make the best five-card hand. In Omaha each player has four hole cards and must use exactly two of them.
Hole cards are also called the starting hand or pocket cards. Their strength before the flop depends on rank, whether they are suited and how connected they are.
Example
Holding A♠K♠ as your hole cards is described as ace-king suited.
Related terms
- BoardThe community cards dealt face up in the middle of the table, shared by all players.
- Pocket pairTwo hole cards of the same rank, such as 7♥7♠ or A♦A♣.
- Suited connectorsTwo consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 8♠7♠ or J♥10♥.
- BroadwayThe five highest ranks, ten through ace; also the straight from ten to ace.