How To Play With Bottom Two Pair
If you flop and play with bottom two pair don't get too excited thinking you know you are in a great position to take down a pot. Often, two pair is not nearly as good as it seems. This is true when holding bottom two pair. This hand may look great on the flop, but they're usually quite vulnerable. Say you're playing a No-Limit game, and there's a raise about three times the big blind from late position. You figure the player could have A-K,A-Q or maybe a middle or high pocket pair. Everyone folds to you, where you find 3s-4s. You've got position so you decide to call. The blinds fold, and the flop comes 3d-4h-Ks. This is great flop Not only do you have two pair, but it's very likely that the other player has caught peace of this flop, top pair good kicker or maybe an over-pair.The player bets into you, and you have to decide what to do. A lot of players slow play in this situation , but that is not a good play. When you have bottom two pair and you think the other player has an over-pair or top pair and a good kicker, you're not is a good a postion as you might think.The other player has five outs and cards that could counterfeit your two pair which gives him a draw. You're a 4 to 1 favorite to take the pot, and that's good, but it's not the type of hand that justifies slow playing. I think the better play is to raise and put the other player to make a decision right there. Most players can't lay down top pair and over-pairs, and will either call or re-raise all-in. That gives you a chance to put all of your money in the pot as a big favorite. Is it possible your raise will force the other player out of the pot and will not get any action maybe. if he's sitting with a pair of tens or Queens he might fold, but against that sort of hand, you'd have no chance to win much of a pot anyway.The player would probably check to you and then fold to any bet on the turn.Say if a 10 comes and you bet on the turn he might think that that card helped you . He'll have to assume that his lone pair is no good. There will be occasions when you flop bottom two pair or top and bottom pair at the same time your the other player catches top two pair or a set. When that happens, you're going to go broke., You will lose your stack in most situations like this. If you're not willing to risk a lot of chips in this kind of hand, you're probably not doing enough to maximize your pots when your hold the best hand. When you find yourself holding two pair, play them aggressively and get your money in on the flop. It is best way to get the most profit from a strong but vulnerable hand. |