Chucking The Aces

"Don't Go Broke With One Pair" is a line I came across in Phil Gordon's excellent Little Green Book. It's a simple piece of advice that's saved my bacon many times.

A pair is a great hand to be dealt pre-flop, but it can also be a trap. With a decent pair it's easy to get carried away and convince yourself that you've got the best hand. After all, you've been dealt pocket Kings or Aces how could you possibly lose? Especially against that harmless looking rainbow flop.

So you keep shovelling money into the pot, ignoring all the danger signs. Only to find that your opponent actually flopped two pair or hit a straight on the river. Your high pair is beat.

Sound familiar? It is to me, I've lost a lot of chips that way.

Now any time I have a pair - especially a big pair - I make a point of stopping and thinking twice before putting in significant money. Even with pocket rockets.

I think even harder about going all-in. If my opponent makes a bet that'll push me all-in, or close, do I really want to risk it with just one pair?

Pre-flop? If my pair's big enough. After missing the turn? Perhaps. After missing the river? Only if I'm really, really sure. Which is rarely.

Learning when to throw away a pair has saved me a lot of money.

Labels: improving my game