Second Pair
Second pair is a pair made with the second-highest card on the board, in games with community cards. It is a medium-strength hand.
The simple explanation
If the flop is K-8-3 and you hold an eight, you have second pair. It is weaker than top pair, because a king can beat it.
A closer look
Second pair is often a middle pair, but not always: on a board with several cards, the second-highest card may not be in the middle. It is good enough to call a small bet, but weak against heavy action. Because it has some showdown value, it is a typical bluff-catcher. It can improve to two pair or trips, but the outs are limited.
A practical example
You hold 8♦ 7♣ and the flop is K♠ 8♣ 3♥. You have second pair.
Full explanation
Second pair is a pair made with the second-highest card on the board, in games with community cards. It is a medium-strength hand.
Second pair is a pair with the second-highest board card.
It is weaker than top pair.
It has some showdown value.
It is not a hand for a big pot.
Middle 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 QQueen of diamonds (Qd)QQueen of hearts (Qh) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB 88 of diamonds (8d)77 of clubs (7c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB QQueen of diamonds (Qd)QQueen of hearts (Qh) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 88 of diamonds (8d)77 of clubs (7c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB QQueen of diamonds (Qd)QQueen of hearts (Qh) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 88 of diamonds (8d)77 of clubs (7c) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
The flop is king, eight, three. Player B pairs the eight, the middle card of the board. That is a middle pair.
Board: KKing of spades (Ks)88 of clubs (8c)33 of hearts (3h)
- Player A BTN / SB QQueen of diamonds (Qd)QQueen of hearts (Qh) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 88 of diamonds (8d)77 of clubs (7c) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.