How to play a middle pair or bottom pair on the flop?
Introduction
If you can not hit with one of your cards (hole cards) on the flop, the highest, but average or low card, it is called Middle or Bottom Pair. For example: You hold A ♠ -4 ♠ and the flop is Q ♥ 4 ♣ 2 ♥ Q ♥ 7 ♠ and 4 ♣ one. Both pairs are similar in principle to treat, so we go to the small differences here, not closer. Beginners are playing such hands frequently wrong. One can however improve with a little math using simple.
We go into each of the below scenarios from a multi-way pot (several opponents), and from the fact that at least one of your opponents holds a higher pair.
Basics
You should assume that you have only five outs, which means that there are only five cards in the deck that you can still beat your opponent. To keep you on the turn (the fourth card on the board) in any case, 8-1 outsider. You need at least two pair or three of a kind to win. Compare this situation with your Gut Shot Straight Draw, where you're missing a card to the street. With such a draw they would have four outs, but in a very good hand. You need basically very good odds to continue with Middle or Bottom Pair on the flop. The following considerations are taken into account:
If one of your opponents two pair or three of a kind has flopped, your chances of winning tend virtually to zero.
Your opponent can draw a straight or a flush, that is to hand, to beat their in any case.
Even if they hit the turn, a second pair or a set, you can be one of your opponents still hit a higher two pair or a higher kind.
When you pull your hand should consider a sequel:
If your kicker (high card to your hand) is higher than the highest card on the board, a call may be justified.
If the pot is so big that you have 12:1 odds, a call can also be justified.
If you decide to give a call, will be behind you but was increased again, will change not only your odds, you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Therefore, make sure that you only play these hands in late position.
If you suspect that your hand is the best or that your opponents are playing so poorly, giving up perhaps with better hands, pull a raise into consideration. Even if one of their opponents this goes along, they still have outs to the best hand.
When you call / should not increase:
If the flop is monochromatic, ie, all three cards in the same color. Exception: If you hold a king or an ace in the suit and pull it to the nut flush. If you also have hit middle or bottom pair, which is good, but probably relevant to the outcome is not obvious, because you have to assume that one already has on several opponents a full flush. This increases the probability that you lose a pair, two pairs or three of a kind.
When appearing on the flop of three consecutive cards, for example, 6-7-8, 3-4-5 or JQK. The reasons are virtually identical to those from the previous example (an opponent may be a finished straight down). The same applies to the case when the flop is just high cards and you do not keep at least a top and bottom open straight draw. An example: lying on the flop QJT and hold AT. This is a weak hand, even if it looks at first glance different. They probably have four outs to a split pot (the four kings), and possibly two outs as the best hand (two tens). It is in both cases, but not actually complete outs, since at least the king could also improve the hand of your opponent.
If the flop in two colors and the pot is small. In this case, you do not get the odds to justify a call.
Considerations:
The following examples show you what factors you must consider your game if you want to play middle or bottom pair.
Let's say the flop are Q ♥ 8 ♣ 2 ♥.
You hold A ♥ 2 ♠. You have five outs of a possible better hand and a backdoor nut flush draw.
You hold A ♠ 2 ♠. Who at best four outs as the A ♥ by two heart out is not on the board complete.
You have no chance of a flush.
You hold A ♠ 8 ♣. You can enter more than three outs, since A ♥ 8 ♥ and outs are not real.
You hold A ♠ 8 ♥. One of your opponents holds A ♣ Q ♠, another a flush draw. They have only two outs, as the Aces are no more outs.
You hold A ♠ 8 ♠, your opponent has an A ♣ Q ♠, another a flush draw. Here you will arithmetically at best, an out, as both the Aces and eights are no more outs and even with three of a kind on the turn have to pay attention to redraw your opponent.
