Paired flops

nitid1 · Paired flops

Hi all,

i have some problems with how to play paired flops, so 2 same cards are on the table.

If i miss this flop and depending of the opponent i stab at it regularly. Now this is quite easy and if they raise i take it more slowly and next time may mix a check raise in there, (if they always attack these flops...)

I do however loose quite a big part of my stack regulary when i hit the second pair and then keep betting untill the river only to find out villain did have trips. In the beginning of a game pot the pot does not get really big, but when blinds are higher it does hurt. Sometimes i wonder if it would be better not to go after these flops at all when a pair is on the table. I played games with paired boards coming frequently so need to take a look at this.

Can anybody help out and let me know how they approach this? I read about guys jamming/shoving in these situations since the odds are quite low for anyone holding trips, but i do not quite feel this to be a good option.

Thx and good luck!

sandman369

Well, like always, it depends on the player. You have to have some idea of how they play on the flop. And your position.

In position:
If they like to float or call any small piece of the flop, then bet your pair for value.
If they fold a lot, also bet, but slow way down if they call.
Only time I would check back is if they are likely to checkraise and you don't know if they are capable of doing it as a bluff very much.
If they are an aggro maniac who 3bets and checkraises a lot, then you can shove over their checkraise if stacks aren't too big. If you happen to run into the trips then so be it.

OOP:
I would only donk bet if they are a very passive player who would just check it back, but don't like folding much at all.
Otherwise I am check/calling and re-evaluating each street. Most players cbet air on such dry flops.

StasKo

i agree with sandman..

its okay to bet the pair for value against most opponents.
if villain is likely to bluff raise then its probably best to call his raise if the pair is a high one..
if its a low pair and stacks are short than its good to shove over his bluff (and in the case he has the trips than just f*ck it and move on)..

if opponent calls your bet than he is pretty polarized in this point:
1 - he either floating with A high/bluff-calling (a spot where your opponent calls with air cause he knows you probably missed this board, in order to take the pot from you on later streets)
2- he is slowplaying trips

so if he calls no need to continue betting because you wont get called by worse or you may be pushed off the pot in the case he is bluff-calling..

here's what i generally do IP vs. different opponents:
against a TP - cbet /stab 100% of the time
against a LP - ill bet for value with A/K high+..
against a TAG - really depends on how good he is but ill probably lower my cbet/stab percentage on this kind of boards and sometimes check-back with a small pair
against a LAG - ill check-back when missed but wont be afraid to get it in when hit and got raised

nitid1

Cool. Thx for sharing your approach on this issue!! It is obvious that i need to look into this because these situations present themselves a lot, so will follow your tips here.

thx

YATHINNK

Depends on stack levels too. Like you can't really C/R a board when stacks get shallower, so it would be wise to lead a dry board rather than C/R it. But as the guys above me said, you can also do different things depending on scenario and player type.