Top Pair/Overpair
Unfortunately, we are not so lucky to flop two pair or better very often. A much more
common situation is flopping top pair or an overpair. Sometimes top pair/overpair
can be a strong hand, and at other times it could be a hand we are folding on the
flop.
The relative strength of your hand depends on the following factors:
- How high your pair is. When the flop is favorable but your pair is vulnerable
to overcards, you generally should choose the best strategy that will drive out
your opponents by betting, raising, or check-raising, The higher the pair the
more risks you can take since a free card is less likely to hurt you.
- How high your kicker is when holding top pair. A high kicker adds a lot of
value to top pair. This is why AK is such a strong hand. If an ace or king falls
on the flop, you are at least guaranteed top pair with top kicker. Whenever an
opponent holds an overpair, a kicker higher than their overpair adds value to
your draw.
- The number of players playing the hand. The more players in the hand, the
higher the probability someone holds two pair or better, or a good drawing
hand. In a heads-up situation, top pair is always worth playing with a
favorable flop. On the other hand, if your pair is not very high or you have a
weak kicker, your hand may need to be folded against many opponents.
- The possible strength of your opponents' hands, especially in a raised pot. In
pots where an opponent raised or reraised preflop, there is a higher
probability of someone holding an overpair to your pair or a better kicker. It is
less likely that an opponent holds a premium hand in an unraised pot.
- The flop type. Flops that are more dangerous than others include:
A high or low pair
Two- or three-suited
Two- or three-connected
Two or more cards 9 or above
Let's look at an example of a dangerous flop for your top pair. For example. you gel
a free play in the big blind with T 4 and four opponents see a flop of T 9 8 .
Your hand is vulnerable to any card above a 5 tailing on the turn or river, except a
ten, and your hand could already be beat. You should fold this hand against several
opponents.
Note that the relative strength between top pair and an overpair can sometimes be
very different. An overpair is a much stronger hand since you can beat any
opponent with top pair and your hand is less vulnerable to over-cards; however
strategies are generally very similar so they are discussed together in one chapter.
When reading through the chapter, take note when I mention just top pair versus
top pair and/or an overpair.
Strategies with top pair or an overpair can vary a lot depending on the particular
circumstances. Since you will be playing top pair quite often, we will look at many
different considerations for each flop type.
NEXT...
Rainbow with One High Card
