Texas Hold'em Hands: Low Pairs in the Starting Hand

A pocket pair is an important opportunity to win a hand in Texas Hold'em. Higher pairs, such as Aces and Kings, are the best weapons in your arsenal and will most often bring victory. Low pocket pairs, however, are a little different because they require special attention and the right strategy to be profitable.

Why play with low pairs?

We generally define low pairs as those below seven. Some more conservative players add pairs of seven and eight to this list. There are a few reasons to play low pairs. One reason is the excellent winning potential if you complete a three of a kind on the flop. The other reason is that, with a low pair, you already have a chance of winning the pot even if you don't improve - more unusual with the smaller pairs. The main aim of playing with low pairs, however, is to win as much as possible when you complete a three-bet, four-bet or full house.

Some tips when playing with low pairs

There are a few different ways to play low pairs. In general, you will "flop" a set (complete a set after the flop) once every eight attempts. A fairly simple strategy is to try to see the flop very cheaply and fold the hand if you don't make the flop. But playing pre-flop with a low pair isn't always that easy.

If you're in early position with a low pair in your hand, there are two recommended courses of action: enter the pot aggressively representing a better hand than you have, or simply fold the hand. Entering the hand with the minimum bet (limp) in early positions is generally not a good idea, unless the pot is already big, or you are certain that the pot will get big. Entering the pot with a call or raise is a more advanced strategy that should be used with caution and great consideration; don't do it every time.

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In the middle or final positions your decision is easier, since many players have already acted and you can get a good idea of whether it's worth entering the pot. If a lot of players have limped in, the pot is already so big that it's worth the risk of also calling the minimum bet and hoping for a three-bet. If no one has entered the pot, a raise could be the best option and perhaps win before the flop. But beware: in cases where there is a lot of action before you, such as raises, re-raises and more, then you can be sure that your hand is already at a disadvantage and clearly dominated by better hands. Be opportunistic with low pairs in the starting hand, but don't be an idiot.

Weak opponents or few opponents

Low pairs in the starting hand are excellent hands to play against weak opponents or against few opponents. In a heads-up situation it's quite possible that your pair can win on its own, without improving. The problem arises when you're up against a lot of opponents because your small pair simply won't win unless they complete a three-bet or more. Take advantage of weak players and players with few chips by pressing them when the opportunity arises. They will often feel intimidated and start calling on the spur of the moment with weak hands. With your pair you'll probably have the advantage against these opponents.

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By carefully evaluating your opponents and using low pairs at the right time, you can make these hands a powerful part of your game. Don't be lured into trying to compete with an unimproved low pair unless you have sufficient evidence that your chances of winning are greater than your opponent's.