How is this hand made?
A pair is 2 cards of the same rank. Types: Pocket Pair (in the hole before the flop, e.g. Q-Q), Top Pair (the highest pair on the board), Middle/Bottom Pair (a pair with a middle or low card on the board).
One Pair — One Pair
One Pair is the most common hand in poker — 2 cards of the same rank plus 3 kickers. A basic hand that only beats high card. Strength depends on the value of the pair and the size of the kicker.
- Rank 9 of 10
- Example: K♠ K♥ 9♦ 5♣ 2♠
- Probability: 1 in 2.37
- Frequency: 42.2569% of all hands
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Rank
#9
Probability
1 in 2.37
Frequency
42.2569%
Odds
1.37:1
Example
K♠ K♥ 9♦ 5♣ 2♠
Strategy — how to play it
A pair is usually a showdown-value hand — play it cautiously, don't build huge pots. Top Pair with Top Kicker (e.g. A-K on A-x-x) is the best pair scenario. Small pocket pairs — play them cheap and try to hit a set (11% chance on the flop).
What beats what?
Hands that beat One Pair:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
Hands beaten by One Pair:
- High Card
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pocket Pair?
A pair in the hole before the flop — e.g. 8-8. The highest possible is A-A ("Pocket Rockets"). Pocket pairs are stronger because they're concealed.
What is Top Pair?
A pair made from the highest board card and one of your hole cards. Example: you hold A-J, flop K-J-3. You have Top Pair with an Ace kicker.
What are the odds of being dealt a pocket pair?
The odds of being dealt a pocket pair pre-flop are 1 in 17 (5.88%). Odds of AA specifically: 1 in 221.