Pocket Pair – How to Play a Pocket Pair

   You take a peek at your pocket cards and yee-haw it's a pocket pair. The question now is what do I do? You need to think about the value of your pair, also your table position and chip stack. Depending on the flop betting on a pocket pair can be ether a solid play or a semi bluff. Your play before the flop is will maximize your winnings or minimize your loses.

   First thing to consider is the value of your pair. I put pairs in one of three categories high, middle or low. You need a different strategy for each. A high pair would be AA, KK, or QQ. A middle pair is JJ or 10's. Nines and lower are low pairs. At a tight table I like to slow play a high valued pair. At a loose table I bet big or go all-in. High valued pairs hold up well when there are many players in the pot, so the idea here is to maximize the size of the pot not to make the other players fold.

   Middle pairs do not hold up well against many opponents. With these hands there is more to think about. Table position is very important. You need to be cautious because if another player has an A, K or Q then the flop can bite you in the butt. For this reason I like to limp in before the flop or fold if someone puts in a raise. After the flop if no over cards come up I bet to get rid of opponents. If there are over cards I put in a small bet just to feel out my opponents and get a read on them, however I am quick to fold if I am reraised.

   Low pairs are not worth very much. You will most likely need to hit three of a kind on the flop to be ahead in the hand. If there is no raise pre-flop I will put in the big blind but no more. After the flop you ether have three of a kind and are in very good shape or all you have is a low pair. With three of a kind bet for value. With a low pair after the flop depending on the size of your chip stack you can check and hope to see some free cards or semi bluff and hope for three of a kind on the turn or river. I only recommend bluffing when everything is right. You need to have good position, tight opponents, a tight table image and a big stack.

   Unless your pocket pair is a high value pair you basically only have a drawing hand. Don't be stuck to your middle or low value pair. If someone throws in a big bet then fold. Most poker players play there pocket pairs too aggressively. In order to maximize your winnings and minimize your losses you need to slow down and take it easy.