Two Low Pairs: Too Big for a Deal?
Dealing with two-pair hands can constitute a real headache.
It is said that dealing with two low pairs takes much of a player's character. May it be on the side of winning, or losing. An exaggeration at first glance, however this conveys a much-needed stand otherwise.
Mathematically, two low pairs have a better-than-average chance of standing up (without improvement) against one or two opponents; they stand to lose if three or more opponents are in the pot.
Queens up is the lowest hand that stands to win against three opponents, and Aces up against four opponents.
This takes into consideration the chance--- one in twelve--- of improving the two pairs you are dealt.
From this knowledge has been derived a general rule than has almost become a Poker percept: if you have two pair, raise at once, to drive out as many as possible of the other players.
It is agreed upon that a raise causes excitement on a Poker game. Of course, being a player yourself, you want your opponents driven out once you have two low pairs. Nevertheless, the rule is faulty.
You should raise only when you are the second man (the one next to the opener). You should merely stay when two players are in before you. You should drop two low pairs against three players in before you.
Now, let's assume that the pot is offering the players no more than six to one. With two low pairs against three players, in a reasonably tight game, the odds are better than two to one that one of them will improve and beat you even if none of them has you beaten going in.
This may be due to the fact that there are simply not enough high pairs around to give each of three intelligent players a high pair that would justify his playing.
Taking the other side of the medal, much money is lost by failure to back two pairs strongly enough against one or two other players who drew three cards.
If you have created doubt in their minds by an occasional one-card draw of bluff, and if you have stayed after both are in, a one-card draw and a bet may get a call from a hand that did not improve.
Moreover, two low pairs should seldom be opened in a 'pass and back in' game.
The absence of high cards in the hand makes it more likely that you will have a high pair and will open; and of all hands, two pair is the hand on which one wants possible to be the last to speak.
Queens up or better may be opened, and should be opened if the overhead is high and the antes are worth grabbing, but many good players simply do not open on any two-pair hand under Aces up if they are earlier than fourth from the dealer.