Poker Strategy - Playing Small Pairs

Texas Holdem Poker Strategy Articles

Playing Small Pairs

Small pairs are hands that befuddle many Texas Holdem players. Hands like 22, 33, 44, 55 and 66 have some value, but it’s hard to know how to play them. Here are some tips for handling small pairs when you play Texas hold’em.

No Set, No Bet
This is a great rule for dealing with small pairs, no matter if you’re playing in free online poker games or high-stakes live tournaments. Simply, if you don’t flop a set with your small pair, throw it away. The best way to handle small pairs is to try to see a flop cheaply, then toss the hand if you don’t improve immediately. In limit Texas hold’em, the situation may be a little different. In a loose game with many callers, it may be worth it to pay one bet to see the turn and try to hit your set there. You’re about 22-to-1 to hit your hand, so you’ll need a big pot, but with implied odds in a loose game, you just might make it.

Get it Heads-Up

Often opponents will make big moves with hands like AK or AQ. Your 22-55 is a favorite against such hands. You may not want to risk your entire stack on a coin flip, but if you’re getting short, either because you’re being eaten up by the blinds in a tournament or simply running bad in a cash game, moving all-in and isolating one opponent may create a good opportunity to double up. Of course, if you’re up against a bigger pair you’ll be in real trouble, so you’ll have to rely on a strong read when deciding whether to make this move.

Know When to Fold’em
If you have a small pair in early position and someone has raised, it’s okay to just throw them away. Small pairs tend to lose value after the flop if you don’t make a set, so you might be wiser to save your money and wait for a better opportunity.

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