5 Quick Tips: How to Play a Pair in Poker

For starters, a pair in poker can create a whole range of higher ranked combinations, from three of a kind and a full house to straights and flushes. However, most of the time, you will be left staring at only a pair, and although you can win rounds, it requires careful planning and no small amount of caution. 

So what should you do when you land a pair? Follow our five quick tips for playing a pair in poker, of course:

1. Do Not Slow Play

Repeat after us: Do. Not. Slow. Play.

Yup, that’s right—while limping in or slow playing can help keep your opponents guessing and offer the chance to chip up significantly, it also carries the risk of another player getting better cards in the meantime. 
While it might be tempting to slow play with a high ranked pocket pair, remember that a pair is the second-lowest poker hand; there are SO many other combinations that can beat it! The longer the round continues, the greater the odds someone else will get a better hand.

2. Remember a Pocket Pair is Not Indestructible 

In Texas Hold'em, a solid pair of pockets, jacks or higher, is one of the best starting hands to get. However, they are not indestructible—even pocket aces. They might be the best pre-flop, but they can easily be beaten. Don't get caught in the trap of thinking your pocket pair is unbeatable—because it’s not, and you will be bitterly disappointed.

3. Less is More

Less people, that is. The less people in the hand, the better, as a pair is best played against only one or two other people. Ideally, you want to be heads-up with only one other person by the flop, which requires a lot of aggression. Make a large bet - six times the big blind—plus an extra blind for every other player already in the hand, and don’t be afraid to re-raise. If you are planning to play a pair, you don't want multiple opponents in the pot.

4. Don’t Get Attached to Your Cards

A pocket pair, especially aces or kings, can be tough to fold. It's very easy to become attached to the idea that a top pair should win you the hand. Unfortunately, the truth is even pocket aces can lose and result in heavy losses. If you reach the turn, and there are still multiple opponents in the hand, and the betting is reaching eye-watering levels, it might be time to fold. 

Don’t get us wrong: a pair is indeed a good hand, and can help you win a lot of chips. But you also need to know when to admit defeat and lay down your cards to save your stack, even if it’s heartbreaking to wave goodbye to that lovely pair of kings. Sob. 

5. Play Position

Playing position is always a good idea. 

If you are first or last to act, then you have a valuable opportunity; this is where you should play most of your pairs in Texas Hold'em. If you’re first to act, make a big bet and set an aggressive tone, you might get lucky and make everyone fold! 

Being last to act is always the best position to play because ultimately you have the final say on how big the pot will be pre-flop. Strategies can include making a substantial wager if the betting is low, trying to steal the pot, or folding with no risk if the betting is too high.  Either way, you want to play position when you have a pair.

Frequently Asked Questions: Playing a Pair in Poker

What is the best strategy for playing a pair in poker? 
The best strategy involves playing aggressively to limit the number of opponents. Ideally, you want to face only one or two players. Avoid slow playing, as this can increase the risk of someone else drawing a better hand. Make significant bets and re-raise to force out other players and protect your hand.

Why should I avoid slow playing a pair? 
Slow playing a pair can be risky because it gives opponents more opportunities to draw better hands. Since a pair is relatively weak compared to other poker hands, delaying action increases the chance that someone will improve their hand. It’s better to act decisively to protect your pair.

What should I do if I have a pocket pair and the betting gets very high? 
If you have a pocket pair and the betting escalates, especially with multiple opponents still in the hand, it may be wise to fold. Even strong pairs can be beaten, and continuing to bet heavily in such scenarios can lead to significant losses.

How does position affect playing a pair in Texas Hold'em? 
Position is crucial when playing a pair. If you’re in an early position, make a large bet to put pressure on opponents. If you’re in a later position, use the advantage of acting last to gauge the strength of other players' hands and adjust your strategy accordingly. Playing from a favorable position can help you control the size of the pot and make better decisions.

What is a pocket pair in poker?
A pocket pair in poker refers to a starting hand in Texas Hold'em where both of your hole cards are of the same rank. For example, if you are dealt two 7s, this is a pocket pair of sevens. Pocket pairs are among the stronger starting hands in poker because they give you a solid foundation to potentially form three of a kind or a full house as the community cards are revealed. The strength of a pocket pair generally depends on its rank—higher-ranked pairs like aces or kings are more valuable than lower-ranked ones.