hilary antonik filho
Legend
Platinum Level
I've seen so much barbarity in online poker that I'm starting to wonder what's best, anyway my option is a pair, preferably AA
kon44
Visionary
Bronze Level
Depend on pre flop action and position.. Any two cards regardless of a pair can be a potential monster
BillyR23
Legend
Loyaler
Depends on the action, stack sizes, number of players involved in the pot... but to answer only the question about the KQ or (I assume) a small pair: because I like playing post-flop, I like KQ more and I can definitely win way more pots with this hand(maybe by bluffing or by hitting something good), while with a hand like 55(or other small pairs) most of the time you can be 'pushed' around if you don't hit a set on the flop(the odds of flopping a set are 7.5-1, or roughly 12%.).
Alexey Shley
Visionary
Bronze Level
I would still pick a pair. Since you will often be ahead on the flop, you need to look at your pot and bet size. If you mean low pairs, then in some situations you need to pass, if you have a pair of 10 or more, your opponent will just be lucky if he wins.
pentazepam
Legend
Platinum Level
KQ unsuited is generally a hand with very few ways to flop a monster and often looks better pre-flop than it actually is. Hard to play post-flop, especially against several opponents.
Any pair can hit monsters like a set (ca 12%) or remain an overpair if it is a high one like QQ-AA. The "lower pair (22-66) rule" is often: no set no bet. At least multiway.
Any pair can hit monsters like a set (ca 12%) or remain an overpair if it is a high one like QQ-AA. The "lower pair (22-66) rule" is often: no set no bet. At least multiway.
CNXRegie
Visionary
Platinum Level
As a newbie poker player, I would recommend experimenting with both KQ and pocket pairs in different situations to gain experience and learn how they play out. I would observe and adapt to my opponents' actions and always make informed decisions based on the available information. Over time, this can help me develop a better understanding of which hands work best for me and my playing style. Good luck at the tables!
Matt_Burns88
Legend
Loyaler
It depends (is a phrase you'll hear a lot in poker strategy) on which pairs you are talking about.
Of course mathematically a small pair, will win slightly more often if there was no more action after the pre-flop round. The trouble is, there almost always is, which makes it very hard for small pairs (22-55) to realise their equity. Unless you hit your set, your going to be faced with over cards that are going to put your small pair under a lot of pressure and probably cause you to fold.
Conversely with KQ, you have much more chance to improve to the best hand. If you have a small pair, there are only 2 more cards you can hit to improve to a set, whereas with KQ, you have 6 cards to hit, which will likely give you the best hand, plus the increased chances of hitting straights or flushes (with KQs)
This is why when you study ranges small pairs are often missing, but KQ is in 100% of ranges.
Of course mathematically a small pair, will win slightly more often if there was no more action after the pre-flop round. The trouble is, there almost always is, which makes it very hard for small pairs (22-55) to realise their equity. Unless you hit your set, your going to be faced with over cards that are going to put your small pair under a lot of pressure and probably cause you to fold.
Conversely with KQ, you have much more chance to improve to the best hand. If you have a small pair, there are only 2 more cards you can hit to improve to a set, whereas with KQ, you have 6 cards to hit, which will likely give you the best hand, plus the increased chances of hitting straights or flushes (with KQs)
This is why when you study ranges small pairs are often missing, but KQ is in 100% of ranges.
dzsire
Legend
Platinum Level
Definitely a pocket pair.
It's a done deal, either way we take it. This is not a guarantee of victory, but it is definitely an advantage. With KQ (or any other hand) there is nothing even at the beginning, because a board of 4 7 A 10 5 can be placed on the table.
There is a difference between a 'High Card King' and a 'Pair of Tens'...
It's a done deal, either way we take it. This is not a guarantee of victory, but it is definitely an advantage. With KQ (or any other hand) there is nothing even at the beginning, because a board of 4 7 A 10 5 can be placed on the table.
There is a difference between a 'High Card King' and a 'Pair of Tens'...
