Middle or Bottom Pair on the Flop
Few hands are the cause of more mistakes than bottom or middle pairs, but these hands are actually pretty easy to play correctly. The simple truth is that you will need very good pot odds to continue playing when you've hit bottom or middle pair on the flop.
Sometimes middle-, or even bottom pair, is the strongest hand but in this text we assume that at least one of the other players is holding a bigger pair. Another assumption made is that there are several players still in the pot.
When you're holding bottom or middle pair the highest number of outs to improve your hand you can have is five. This means that your minimum required pot odds is 8:1, but generally you will need better odds than that for a call to be justified. The number of outs you actually have can be reduced in many different ways. If another player is holding a set or two pair you are probably drawing dead. Some of your outs might be shared by players hoping to complete a straight or a flush. Not only are these outs useless to you, they can even get you into trouble if you hit your hand but still are beaten.
Consequently, bottom- and middle pairs should be folded in most cases, but under certain circumstances you should consider playing them:
- When you have a kicker that is higher that the highest flopped card and there are no apparent draws on the board. Of course, you still need correct pot odds to call.
- When the pot is very big. With a favorable flop and pot odds of at least 12:1 you should call.
- When you have late position and are last to act. This means that no player behind you can change the pot odds by raising.
- When the chance of your opponents folding better hands combined with the likelihood that you outdraw them, justifies raising.
In other situations you should definitely refrain from playing bottom- or middle pairs:
- When there is a three-suited flop. There's a risk you're drawing dead and you might lose even if you hit your draw. The exception is if your kicker is an Ace or a King that gives you a flush draw.
- When the flop is three-connected, for example 8-9-10, and your kicker doesn't provide you with a straight draw. The reasons for folding are the same as for three-suited flops.
- When you're facing three or more opponents in a small pot and the flop is two-suited.