Fresh from the manual, taken today from the Absolute Poker school of Donk play.
Section 1A Playing Paired deuces - Tens.
When you find you have a pocket pair ( that is two of the same card ( no, not two hearts you numpty, I mean its a Three of hearts ( They look like the shape on your valentines card) with perhaps a three of clubs ( the ones that look like trees)) then you have two options. They are as follows.
Method Number 1
1) You move your mouse pointer to the button that says "ALL IN" and you press it. You will notice it takes all of those little chip thingys and place them in the centre of the table. They are your bet. You are now in the hands of the poker gods. If by some quirk of fate, someone is stupid enough to call you ( that means they put the same amount of chips from their stack into the centre too) then you are hoping above all other things that they do not have a pair in their hand which is higher than yours. ( ie if you have two cards with 3 on them, then you do not want them to have a pair which is 4 or higher).. If they have two cards with a two on them ( some peoiple call them deuces, dont ask me why but they do ) then you are happy.
However three cards are turned over. They are called the flop. Followed by a fourth card called the turn, and finally the fifth card called the river.
If you happen to hit another card that matches the two you've got ( not EXACTLY the same because then you would have a dodgy pack and poker is no fun with a dodgy pack ) then you have whats called a set, and unless they have a set too, or five cards in ascending numerical order ( eg 2-3-4-5-6 ) or five cards with the same funny shapes on, ( valentines, four sided triangle, trees or shovels ) then you win and you get all the chips that went into the middle. If however they have two cards that are higher in value than yours or one of the above hands, then you lose everything.
It should be noted that if you happen to get four of the same kind, then barring a miracle, you are guaranteed to win. Its not likely that anyone will have four cards in their hand better than the four you have.
This method can work, it can fail. Its basically a situation whereby you put all your chippy thingys in and hope like hell. One thing to remember is that if they dont have two cards the same in their hands before the flop, then you have a head start..
Method Number 2
This requires more patience and can mean a less fruitful return should you win, however it does mean the chances of you going bust are less as between each stage of the betting you have the chance to get out though folding a pocket pair is not advised.
You do not press the "ALL IN " button. Instead move your mouse pointy thingy to the "call" button and you press that instead.
This will remove a small sum from your stack of little round things and plaze it in the centre of the table. Again this is your bet, but notice how you havent put as many in. This means you do not lose as many should things go wrong. I however also means you could win less than you would hte other way... But hey.. You are a poker god.. You dont lose anyway..
In this situation there are things you need to be aware of. If say, for example, you have
a pair of twos, then you should perhaps watch out for anyone who bets at any stage in the proceedings. If for example the flop comes Ace, Ten, Nine and they press their "ALL IN" button, then there is the slight off chance they may have a higher pair than the one you have. But if you press your 'ALL IN" button in response then you can sit and hope that another two turns up. Dont discount the possibility. There are four twos in a pack so you have a one in thirteen chance of hitting another two..
Those are the two methods for playing lower pairs. If you follow this advice then there is every chance you can make ludicrous amounts of money from people. The pocket pair puts you in the most dominant position in poker because you have a pair and the chances are your opponent doesnt. You just need to try and hide the fact you have two cards that match from him. If he doesnt know you;ve got two of the same he could well match any bet you make and not know you have two matching cards. Imagine his surprise if he sees you've got a pair in your pocket cards. He wont be expecting that.....
