Pockets pairs are good starting hands in Texas Hold ‘Em poker because these are made hands. However, the flop often kills the value of any medium or small pair by bringing over-cards that can beat your cards.
These types of pocket pairs typically need a third card to the set to flop in order to win. There are only two outs to make that set, so the odds are high against it. A set will usually hit about once in eight times when you are holding a pocket pair.
In limit online poker, it is almost impossible to make anyone fold to your medium or small pair. It’s is also unlikely that the pot will pay the proper price against your outs. You can limp in to see a flop, but if any over-cards appear, then it’s best to fold to anything but a minimum bet.
In no-limit, you can raise with your medium pair from early position, or from late position if everyone has limped in ahead of you. However, medium and small pairs really diminish in strength to any raise or re-raise against your hand.
Before you enter any pot with medium or small pocket pairs, understand that you will most likely have to fold them post-flop, and adjust your betting strategy based on your position and how loose or tight you have observed your opponents to be. Remember this when you play poker online.
