Marginal Hand
A marginal hand is a hand that is not strong, but not particularly weak either. It is tricky to play, since its value depends on the situation.
The simple explanation
Hands such as middle pair or ace-ten are marginal. They can win small pots but lose big ones.
A closer look
Marginal hands are best played with caution. They have some showdown value, so they often check and call. Position, stack sizes and the opponent matter a lot. Avoid building a big pot with them without a good reason.
A practical example
You hold 8♦ 7♣ on a board of K♠ 8♣ 3♥. You have a marginal hand: middle pair.
Full explanation
A marginal hand is a hand that is not strong, but not particularly weak either. It is tricky to play, since its value depends on the situation.
A marginal hand is not strong or weak.
Its value depends on the situation.
Play it with caution.
Avoid big pots with it.
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.