Review
Your main concerns with two pair are flushes, straights, and strong draws to these
hands. Sets are less of a concern since you hold two of the flop cards in your hand.
Two pair can also lose to a higher two pair.
Three-suited and three-connected flops are very dangerous for two pair. You could
already be beaten or there is a good chance that an opponent has a good draw:
- Against one or two opponents, almost always bet out. If an opponent bets,
you can either raise the flop, or just call and watt to see if the turn card is
favorable.
- Against several opponents, it may be best to just check and call and wait to
see if the turn card is favorable.
Generally play two pair strongly with a two-suited or two- connected flop:
- When the pot is large, almost always bet out or raise at every opportunity.
Usually only try a check-raise against an aggressive preflop raiser in late
position.
- If the pot is small and you are acting first, check-raising is a good option
against one or two opponents.
- When the pot is small and an opponent bets, you can either raise the flop or
consider slowplaying to the turn.
- Consider slowplaying when one or two opponents check into you and the pot
is small.
All high card flops will usually generate a lot of action as many opponents will hold
pairs and/or straight draws:
- Against several opponents, almost always bet out or raise. One exception to
betting out is trying a check-raise when the pot is large to drive out players
on weak draws such as gut shots.
- Against a lone opponent, tend to bet out more as opposed to the two-suited
or two-connected flops. Check-raises are risky since many opponents may
not bet in fear of a check-raise and may take a free card with a weak draw.
- You can consider waiting to raise the turn if a lone opponent bets into you
A rainbow flop with one high card is a very favorable flop for two pair, although
sometimes it is difficult to get a lot of action:
- With a large pot, you should bet out. raise, or reraise as usual if given the
opportunity.
- With a small pot, you have more options since giving a free card is not as
risky. Consider check-raising or slowplaying to try and gain more bets.
Strategy for a rainbow flop of all rags is very similar to strategy for a flop with only
one high card. The difference is that betting out is not as likely to scare off
opponents since they will often play two overcards.
- Generally bet out when you get a free play out of the blinds and flop two pair.
If someone raises, you can decide whether to reraise the flop or wait until the
turn to show your true strength.
- When a player bets into you, usually raise if the pot is large. With a small pot,
raising or slowplaying are both good options.
NEXT...Top Pair end Overpair
