How To Play Medium Pairs In Texas Holdem

Medium pairs cause newer Texas Holdem players more headaches than any other holding. Ranging from 8-8 to Jack-Jack these pairs are highly likely to be the best hand before the flop. However, after the flop – particularly when there are multiple opponents still in the hand and high cards appear – it can be difficult to know where you stand. This article looks at some of the key factors involved in playing medium pairs in Texas Holdem and discusses how to gain the maximum profit from these holdings.

We start by looking at playing medium pairs in Texas Holdem before the flop, noting that position and opponent tendencies are critical factors. Next we look at post flop play, covering the situations where no over-cards appear, just one over-card and then two or more. Multiple opponents and position are then discussed before we summarize the key points.

Before the flop you need to look at your position at the table, the tendencies of your opponents and then work out what your objectives are in the hand. Ideally you would like just a single opponent, whom you act after once the flop comes. This allows you to combine the texture of the flop with your opponent’s actions before deciding what to do – far better than being forced to bet without extra information on your opponent.

If your table is full of ‘callers’ it may not be possible to thin the field to one player with a single bet. In this case you have two choices – either aim to ‘set-mine’ (flop trips) with your medium pair or hope that someone raises so that you can re-raise and thin the field that way. Both the depth of your stack, ranges of hands your opponents might raise with and your proximity to the dealer button (acting last post-flop) are key factors in this decision, raising with a pair of 9’s is not a good play if an all-in from the original raiser clearly signals QQ, KK or AA.

When no overcard to your pair comes on the flop you should usually proceed as if you have the best hand with bets and raises. The same occurs when one picture card appears if you managed to thin the field to a single opponent. While this card might have hit their hand you should bet as if you are still best until you receive information that this might not be the case. Multiple opponents or an ace on the flop make this decision less clear, with one or the other it can still be profitable to fire a continuation bet, with both present – or a 2nd picture card on the flop – it can be better to keep the pot small in the early betting rounds.

To summarize, the key factors in playing medium pairs profitably in Texas Holdem Poker are the tendencies of your opponents, where you act in the betting sequence both before and after the flop – and the texture of the flop itself. Clear assessment of these factors, together with positive and aggressive play, will ensure that you maximize your profit from medium pairs in those Texas Holdem Poker games.

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