5 Quick Tips: How To Play a Two Pair in Poker

Never to be underestimated, the two pair in poker is one of the better lower ranked hands for sure. It also has the versatility to create higher combinations, and if you’re exceptionally lucky, you might hit a full house, four of a kind or even a flush. 

Most of the time though, you’ll be left with just the two pair. It can be tricky playing two pair, as it's a good enough hand to invest some chips in, but can also come with significant risk if you don't know when to back down and fold. We’ve put together  our five quick tips to help you when playing a two pair in poker.

1. Play Aggressively 

A two pair is a decent hand, undeniably. But you still don't want to end up at the river too often. Ideally, the hand will be over by the turn, or before. This requires you to be very aggressive during the betting phase after the flop. 

Make a large bet, six times the big blind, plus an extra blind for every other player still in the hand. And don't be afraid to re-raise, my friend. If you are forced to keep playing to the river, try to scare everyone else out of the pot in the initial rounds. 

In the best case scenario, you are heads up against only one other player by the river. Playing aggressively should be your first strategy after hitting two pair, as anything less isn’t going to cut it.

2. Decide How Much to Risk

Once you’ve hit your two pair, make a decision on how many chips you are willing to risk. There will come a time when your opponent has better cards, and no amount of aggressive betting will make them fold. 
In this situation, you need to decide how much you are willing to risk on re-raising to scare people out of the hand.

3. Be Ready to Fold 

Once you hit your betting limit, be ready to fold. Sometimes, no matter how well you play a hand, there is no way to win. 

Now is a good opportunity to watch out for those tells in your opponents, and indicators that your opponent has a strong hand. If in doubt, fold, fold, fold! It's better to save your chips and live to play another day, than risk it all on two pair.

4. Limit Bluffing 

Bluffing can be a valuable tactic for winning big pots when the cards aren't going your way. 
However, it’s important not to abuse the bluff strategy. Why? Well, doing it every round with only two pair can become a very costly venture. Poker is a game of deceit and skill, and once other players figure out your playing style, it's all over. 

Therefore, bluff sparingly; otherwise, you may find your stack disappearing faster than a cat chasing a laser pointer.

5. Watch Your Opponenents

Always remember: if you have two pair, chances are high someone else will too. Pocket pairs are extremely common and if you are playing with a full table, you will most likely encounter at least one every round. 
This means, if you have a pocket pair, and a pair comes out on the flop, there might be another person out there lurking with two pair as well. Keep this in mind when you're planning out a strategy for the round.

Two Pairs in Poker: Frequently Asked Questions

What are two pairs in poker? 
Two pairs is a hand where you have two separate pairs of cards of the same rank, plus one additional card (known as the kicker). For example, having two 7s and two 4s, with a kicker of a King (7♥ 7♠ 4♦ 4♠ K♣).

How do two pairs rank compared to other hands? 
Two pairs rank above one pair but below three of a kind in standard poker hand rankings. It is also lower than a full house. In a situation where two players both have two pairs, the one with the higher pair wins. If the pairs are the same, the kicker is used to determine the winner.

What should I consider when betting with two pairs? 
When you have two pairs, consider the strength of your hand relative to the community cards and potential hands your opponents might have. Be cautious of potential straights or flushes that could beat your two pairs. Also, assess the betting patterns of your opponents to gauge if they might have a stronger hand.

How do I play two pairs in a multi-way pot? 
In a multi-way pot, you need to be more cautious with two pairs, as there are more chances for someone to have a stronger hand. If you’re confident your two pairs are strong relative to the board and your opponents’ betting patterns, you can be more aggressive. However, if there’s significant action, you might want to reevaluate the strength of your hand.

What is the best strategy for playing two pairs on the flop versus the turn or river? 
On the flop, with two pairs, you should generally bet or raise if you believe you have the best hand or if you want to protect it. On the turn and river, continue to evaluate based on the community cards and the betting behavior of your opponents. If the board develops in a way that could complete a straight or flush, be cautious and consider the possibility of a stronger hand. Adjust your strategy based on how the board texture changes and how your opponents are playing.