Explanation of Pair
A pair is established when we find two cards in our hand that hold the same rank.
For example, in Hold’em,
Board: J ♥ 9 ♥ 4 ♠ 2 ♠ 3 ♣
Hand 1: A ♦ J ♦
Hand 2: Q ♠ J ♣
Hand 3: K ♠ K ♦
In this scenario, both Hand 1 and Hand 2 contain a pair of jacks. When two players find themselves with identical pairs , the outcome hinges on the surrounding cards known as kickers. Here, Hand 1 pairs its jacks with an Ace kicker, while Hand 2 has a Queen kicker alongside its jacks.
Hand 3 forms a pair entirely from its hole cards, creating a pocket pair . This allows Hand 3 to triumph over both Hand 1 and Hand 2 as it boasts a stronger pair .
Board: A ♥ 9 ♥ T ♠ 8 ♣ 2 ♦
Hand 1: A ♠ 5 ♠
Hand 2: A ♦ 4 ♦
This instance emphasizes the significance of recognizing that in Hold'em, all hands are composed of five cards. At first glance, one might think that Hand 2 has the advantage due to its higher kicker, but actually, both hands tie since they each form a pair of Aces with Ten, Nine, and Eight as the side cards.
Board: A ♥ T ♦ J ♦ 2 ♣ 2 ♠
Hand 1: A ♠ Q ♠
Hand 2: A ♦ K ♦
With a pair already established on the table, both Hand 1 and Hand 2 technically have two- pair configurations, consisting of Aces and Deuces. Because one pair is already accounted for from the board in both players' hands, it is common to informally refer to them as simply “one- pair ” (despite actually being two- pair ). In the example presented, Hand 2 prevails thanks to its superior kicker.
Strategies for Incorporating Pair into Your Poker Gameplay
While holding a one- pair can often secure a victory at the showdown in formats like No Limit Hold’em, one- pair hands aren’t deemed particularly strong. Players should be cautious about engaging in large pots. In scenarios where an opponent is ready to wager 100 big blinds in a cash game, it’s relatively uncommon (though not out of the realm of possibility) for a single pair to come out on top.
It's vital to focus on the kicker, especially when one possesses higher pairs . Aces are particularly prone to being outkicked; this is mainly due to two factors: i) many players are inclined to play Aces before the flop, and ii) the most frequent board textures tend to include Ace-high cards. Novice players can often struggle with low Aces (like A2-A5), as they have a tendency to overvalue top pairs .
The strength of one- pair hands greatly fluctuates depending on the texture of the board. Pairs generally excel on drier boards, while their value significantly diminishes in situations where there are numerous opportunities for straights and flushes.
In four-card formats such as Pot Limit Omaha, forming pairs is much easier, leading to a decreased value of pairs compared to Hold’em.
See Also
High Hand , Two Pair , Three of a Kind , Straight , Flush , Full House , Quads , Straight Flush , Royal Flush , Hand Rankings