Top Two Pair
Top two pair means that both your pocket cards match the two highest cards on the board, so you have the best possible two pair.
The simple explanation
If the flop is K-9-4 and you hold king and nine, you have top two pair: a pair of kings and a pair of nines.
A closer look
Top two pair is strong but can be beaten by a set, a straight or a flush. It is a hand to bet for value, but watch the board for dangerous draws. If another player has a set of kings or nines, you lose a large pot, so do not stack off blindly on a very wet board.
A practical example
You hold K♥ 9♦ and the flop is K♠ 9♣ 4♥. You have top two pair.
Full explanation
Top two pair means that both your pocket cards match the two highest cards on the board, so you have the best possible two pair.
Top two pair uses both hole cards to pair the two highest board cards.
It is the best two pair on that board.
A set, a straight or a flush can beat it.
Bet it for value but watch the board.
Alternative spelling: Top Two
Top two 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 AAce of diamonds (Ad)KKing of clubs (Kc) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB 99 of diamonds (9d)99 of clubs (9c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of diamonds (Ad)KKing of clubs (Kc) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 99 of diamonds (9d)99 of clubs (9c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of diamonds (Ad)KKing of clubs (Kc) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 99 of diamonds (9d)99 of clubs (9c) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player A pairs both of his cards with the two highest cards on the board. That is top two pair.
Board: AAce of spades (As)KKing of hearts (Kh)55 of diamonds (5d)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of diamonds (Ad)KKing of clubs (Kc) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 99 of diamonds (9d)99 of clubs (9c) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.