When you first begin playing poker it is recommended to stick to the top 10 hands, as this makes learning and winning the game easier for a novice. Once you have mastered the basics, though, you should consider moving onto the more advanced hands; otherwise your play will become too predictable. Anyone who wants to become a true poker player has to begin playing other hands besides the top 10 hands.

Many good hands do not fall into the category of top 10, yet they are still very hands. Some of these hands are actually better than a top 10 hand, so learning to play them will increase your odds of winning big.

For example, if you had two 7′s in your hand and the other four people at the table each has a King and an Ace, you wouldn’t have a top ten hand, yet you would have the advantage over everyone else at the table. Yes, this would probably never happen, but it illustrates the point that not every top 10 hand is perfect.

There are occasions when a top 10 hand is best, yet there are other occasions where they need to be folded. You could be playing a big pot and have a 6-7 suited, while the other players have a KK or AA. In this case the two players with the pairs have decreased odds than you do of winning. If you can stick with it, and the other players don’t handle their bets appropriately, you could be in for a big win.

Top 10 starting hands are the most advantageous when you are alongside one or two players and it is before the flop. This is the point where you need to decide if you are going all in or placing a large bet, as at this point you are ahead. For this situation to work you are best off to have a top 5 hand. Once the flop is down you will know if you have played your cards right.

Knowing the pot odds is something that every experienced poker player should learn, as this will help you play beyond the top 10 starting hands. This is of course more difficult to learn, which is why many players just stick to the top 10 hands and never become really good players.

If you do not know when to play particular hands then you shouldn’t be playing them. There is a time to play 67 suited and a time to fold it. Sure, it can be a great hand in some positions but it can be a terrible hand in other positions.

Learning the odds means getting to know pot odds, implied odds and position so that you are better able to judge whether your hand can win the pot. While the top 10 starting hands don’t require a lot of focus or strategy, at the same time they are not going to get you very far. To get to the next level you need to start learning the odds.

Beginner players can do very well for themselves with the top 10 starting hands, but there will come a point where they find that they aren’t winning like they used to, likely because the others around them have been doing their homework on what other hands they can play successfully. By taking the time to learn other great hands and when to play them you can win bigger pots more often.