Pocket Pair
A pocket pair is a pair of hole cards, such as two sevens. It is also called a wired pair. It is a strong start, since you already have a pair.
The simple explanation
In Hold'em, if both of your cards have the same rank, you have a pocket pair. High pairs such as aces and kings are very strong. Low pairs can become a set on the flop about 12 percent of the time.
A closer look
Pocket pairs have a value both for showdown and for set mining. High pairs raise and re-raise before the flop, medium pairs can raise or call, and small pairs are often set mined. After the flop, an overpair is strong, while an underpair is weak. A pocket pair of aces is called pocket rockets, kings are cowboys and queens are ladies.
A practical example
You are dealt 7♥ 7♦. You have a pocket pair of sevens.
Full explanation
A pocket pair is a pair of hole cards, such as two sevens. It is also called a wired pair. It is a strong start, since you already have a pair.
A pocket pair is a pair of hole cards.
Aces, kings and queens are the strongest.
Small pairs are played for set mining.
You flop a set about 12 percent of the time.
Alternative spelling: pocket-pair
A pocket pair
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB 77 of hearts (7h)77 of diamonds (7d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 with two sevens as hole cards. Two hole cards of the same rank are a pocket pair.
- Player A BTN / SB 77 of hearts (7h)77 of diamonds (7d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.