Pocket Pairs Preflop in No Limit Hold’em
November 30th, 2007
Being dealt a pocket pair can feel like a strong hand but they can lead you down a troubled road if not played correctly. The best advice is to play the top ones strongly but be prepared to let any pair go if things do not flop your way. Whilst pocket pairs have strong preflop value as the board is dealt they can lose this value rapidly. While, every poker player can tell you a time when their AK was beaten by deuces, it happens less often than it feels like it does. (You just tend to remember being beaten by deuces)
Top pairs like AA, KK, and QQ quite rightly deserve raises and re-raises. They are the statistical favorites in most hands. Playing against fewer players will only increase the value of these pairs. AA is 85% favourite to win a heads up to showdown but this percentage decreases substantially in multi-way pots.
With other pocket pairs you are looking to flop set to make a very strong, well disguised hand. Flopping a set when holding a pocket pair it only happens about 12% of the time. Not quite so rare that it isn’t worth making a small call to see the flop. When the serendipitous moment happens however, you need make it count. Don’t slow-play a flopped set. Chances are the other person will think they have the stronger hand and will call to the river. Which means a big pot an a big win for you.