Learn Texas Holdem

In no-limit Texas hold'em, it would seem that if one pair is good, two pair is better. In a way, this is true, but in another way, two pair can be worse in that you can get yourself in a lot more trouble with two pair.

What's So Bad About Two Pair in No-Limit?

In a limit game, a flop that gives you two pair is a welcome sight. In most cases, you will bet until someone gives an indication that he or she may have a very strong hand, in which case you may choose to call the hand down or fold if you are obviously beat. Unfortunately, in no-limit online Texas Holdem, by the time you realize your two pair is in trouble it may be too late.

Going Broke with Two Pair in No-Limit Texas Hold'em

There are a surprising number of ways you can go broke with two pair in no-limit Texas hold'em:

On the Flop:

-An opponent can flop a set (you hold AK, an opponent has 33 and the flop comes A K 3).

-An opponent can flop a straight (you hold AK, an opponent holds JT and the flop comes A K Q).

-An opponent can flop top two while you flop top and bottom or bottom two (You hold K9 or Q9, an opponent holds KQ and the flop comes K Q 9).

After the Flop:

-An opponent makes a straight or flush on the turn or river (You have 8 7, your opponent has 9 T the flop comes 8 7 A, turn J).

-An opponent with a higher pair gets a running pair on the board (you have K 9, your opponent has AA the flop comes K 9 3, turn 5, river 5).

-An opponent makes a higher two pair or a set on the turn or river (you hold J 9, your opponent holds K J or KK, the flop comes J 9 5, the turn is a K).

For these reasons, the correct way to play two pair in no-limit Texas hold'em is usually aggressively, but cautiously. Pay careful attention to the texture of the board. If it is a board that is likely to make someone a straight or flush or even a higher two pair, look out. If not, your best play is often to go for a check raise, since your hand is strong enough that you would like to make some money with it, but vulnerable enough that you want to end the hand quickly. If you get it all in on the flop with top two pair, you are often in reasonable shape, since you may be ahead of a single big pair, flush draw or straight draw and even if you are against bottom set you have redraws to a full house. If you end up getting it all in with bottom two, you are often in very bad shape. Your best hope is that you are again up against a draw or that your opponent has top pair and top kicker.