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May 9, 2006
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Poker Lessons)
Poker Lesson: Playing Bottom Two
Pair
Author: Rafe Furst
Players get excited when they flop two pair because
they know they're in a great position to take down a pot. But
often, two pair is not nearly as powerful as it seems. This is
especially true when holding bottom two pair or top and bottom
pair. These hands may look dominant on the flop, but they're usually
quite vulnerable.
For example, say you're playing a No-Limit
Hold 'em ring game. There's a standard raise to four times
the big blind from middle position. You figure the player has
A-K or maybe a middle or high pocket pair. Everyone folds to you
on the button, where you find 5d-7d. You've got favorable position
and a hand that can flop some powerful draws, so you decide to
call. The blinds fold, and the flop comes 5c-7h-Ks.
This is great. Not only do you have two pair, but
it's very likely that your opponent has a piece of this flop,
with top pair top kicker or maybe an over-pair. He bets into you,
and you have to decide what action is best.
I've seen some players smooth call in situations
like this, but that is not a wise play. When you have bottom two
pair and your opponent has an over-pair or top pair/top kicker,
you're not as big a favorite as you might think. Your opponent
has five outs - cards that will counterfeit your two-pair - which
gives him a very live draw. You're a 75% favorite to take the
pot, and that's great, but it's not the type of statistical edge
that justifies slow playing.
The better play is to raise and put your opponent
to a decision right there. Many players overplay top pair and
over-pairs, and will either call or re-raise all-in. That gives
you the chance to put all of your money in the pot as a big favorite.
If he puts a bad beat on you at that point, so be it.
Is it possible your raise will force your opponent
out of the pot and kill your action? Sure, if he's sitting with
a pair of Queens or Jacks he'll likely fold, but against that
sort of hand, you'd have no chance to win much of a pot anyway.
Your opponent would probably check to you and then fold to any
bet on the turn. And as Howard Lederer pointed out in a recent
tip on playing sets, if a blank comes on the turn and you raise
at that point, you'll be sending an indication that the turn card
helped you in some way. He'll have to assume that his lone pair
is no good.
There will be occasions when you flop bottom two
pair or top and bottom pair at the same time your opponent catches
top two pair or a set. When that happens, you're going to go broke.
In fact, you should lose your stack in most situations like this.
If you're not willing to risk a lot of chips in this kind of hand,
you're probably not doing enough to maximize your pots when your
hold the best hand.
When you find yourself holding two pair, play them
aggressively and get your money in on the flop. It's the surest
way to get the maximum profit from a strong but vulnerable hand.
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