Learn Texas Holdem

An element of Texas hold'em poker strategy that many players struggle with is how to deal with pocket pairs before the flop. Pocket pairs are interesting in that they tend to have stronger pre-flop value than most other hands, but can get progressively weaker as the hand continues. A pair of deuces beats ace-king, but most players would rather see a flop with the two high cards than the lowly bottom pair. Playing winning Texas hold'em strategy requires a solid plan for your pocket pairs.

Big Pocket Pairs Pre-Flop in Texas Hold'em

Hands like AA, KK, QQ and even JJ are great, but often scary hands to hold in Texas hold'em. While you don't want to play the same way every time, it is often a mistake to simply limp in and see a flop with these hands for no other reason than to define the blinds. If you limp in with one of these hands, even the most innocuous flop, like 8 5 2 of mixed suits, you could find yourself in trouble if one of the blinds is holding 8 5, 5 2, or 8 2. Since they got to see the flop cheaply or for free, there's no reason they couldn't have one of these holdings. Raising pre-flop not only defines your hand, but also it gets more money in the pot for when you hit the flop or it looks like others missed.

Middle Pocket Pairs Pre-Flop in Texas Hold'em

Pairs like 77, 88, 99 or TT can be tricky to play. Some players like to overbet the pot pre-flop to discourage action from overcards that might pair up against them. If they are called, the player with the medium pair will often make a continuation bet on a non-threatening flop, or be ready to check fold if the flop comes with one or more aces or face cards. Another way to play these hands is to call, or to put in a small raise if no one has come in before you, and hope to flop a set. If you don't flop a set, you may still be able to win with a bet (and may even still be best if the flop comes all undercards), but if the flop is too threatening or your opponents are showing strength, you can still get away from the hand relatively cheaply.

Small Pocket Pairs Pre-Flop in Texas Hold'em

Many players like to limp in with 22, 33, 44, 55 or 66. This is okay as long as you have a reasonable expectation that you will win a pot of greater than eight times the cost of seeing the flop. Raising with these hands is ill-advised, except as part of a deception play where you might raise with any two cards. If you do flop a set, remember that you are still vulnerable. Not only might there be flushes or straights out there, but if the board pairs high cards, you may be in trouble to a higher full house (e.g. you hold 55 and the flop comes A 5 T. You are very likely ahead, but if the board ends up something like A 5 T A J you will lose to anyone holding AT, AJ or A5, all hands many players will see a flop with).