Poker Hands
The most common poker hand is one pair.
However, it is not a desirable hand as it ranks second.
What is a One Pair Poker Hand?
The 5-card hand that it’s possible for you to form has one set of pairs.
This is two cards of the same rank.
If two players should have one pair each, then the highest pair wins.
Should the players have pairs of matching rank, then the next highest card determines which player wins.
If there is still no winner, then the round is pushed.
One pair can only beat a high card hand.
The following rank higher than a one pair hand.
One Pair Probability
There are 1,098,240 different possible ways to form one pair hands.
That is your one pair, and no other players can use those cards to form their hand.
The worst case scenario is if the one pair is formed using only communal cards.
Therefore, everyone else also has one pair, and you do not have the upper hand.
Preflop
A pocket pair, whilst a great initial boost, should be considered carefully.
A pocket pair ranking from 2-6 is considered a low pair, and can cause you problems.
You are better off with a pair of 7-Jacks, but still, these are considered medium pairs.
Those instantly defeat your one pair.
The Turn
After the turn, the game usually takes a more serious turn.
Once again, analyse the cards and make a run at determine whether another player can defeat your pair.
If there are opportunities, then you may have to consider folding.
River and Showdown
Once the river card is dealt, the final betting cycle begins.
If an opponent starts raising aggressively though, you may have to consider it.
Players who limped in the first betting cycles but are now throwing in money can present a big danger.
Either they bluffed their way to the final round and out of desperation want to take home the pot.
Or, they may have really good cards and have let the other players do the raising.
Now, that they have built confidence and are ready to strike, they want to increase the damage.
The latter may raise the pot to the line where you may still consider it.
Bluffers will usually take the bet up to a level where they want to frighten you off.
Best Case Scenario
The best one pair you might have is a pair of pocket Aces.
Pocket Kings and Queens are also great hands.
With these, you’re able to start betting confidently.
Conclusion
One pair is only really effective when you have a premium pocket pair.
