6th Poker DAILY WISDOM

Posts: 2913 · Posted: 01.03.2009, 14:32

Most players, if they are holding 2 pairs, AFTER the river, think their hand is more valuable than it really is. So they over-bet it or call bets that are too high for them to stay in with only 2 pairs. Checking is the only proper action for 2 pairs after the river has been dealt. Or folding.

Remember, 2 pairs is only one step above a single pair. And usually it takes at least 3 of a kind or better to win a hand of Texas Holdem.

THERE IS ONE EXCEPTION! If one of your pairs is Aces Then you have a tough decision to make. You have to rely on other factors to decide what to do -- like what you know about your opponents and at what point in the game they started betting or raising and how many players are still in the game, thinking they have the nuts (winning hand).

Play 2 pair very, very carefully, always remembering all the hamds that can beat them! Including a higher 2 pair!

Your Guru (who cares)

Posts: 2787 · Posted: 01.03.2009, 14:58

Good advice, Guru!

Posts: 3276 · Posted: 01.03.2009, 15:41

GUILTY!!!That's one of my weaknesses.Knowing it and having it pointed out are two different things.I'll be playing them a lot more cautiously now.
Thanks Guru.

Posts: 3854 · Posted: 01.03.2009, 19:28

LOL......I think we ALL needed this refresher. I admit I've been there before, a few times.. TY Guru

Posts: 2913 · Posted: 01.03.2009, 20:23

Hi to my loyal PCers!

I want to thank you who are posting replies to my mini lessons in my new feature, Poker DAILY WISDOM.

I woke up one morning, thinking I had a lot of private tutoring PMs to write, having noticed some mistakes in game play the night before. (I also respond to mistakes with PMs so as not to embarrass good players who do not deserve embarrassment over a human mistake.)

Then it occurred to me that since so many of them were the same mistake, why not just type one message for all and still not name names.

I became more excited when I saw it as a teaching method that would get you all actively involved in learning by having a lot of discussion this way.

The few of you who have discovered this new feature are bearing me out and I believe that anything learned this way will be remembered longer .... because we are taking just one issue at a time.

I love the feature! I have my fingers crossed that more members will discover how beneficial it could be for them!

By the way, if you have any specific questions, the place to post them is right here in this feature - any of them - even if off-topic. Then I will answer it as my next DAILY WISDOM the very next day and all will have a chance to discuss it!

Again, thanks to all who have accepted and are responding already!!!!!

BIG hugs!

Your forever-trying-harder Guru

Posts: 1825 · Posted: 01.03.2009, 20:39

I have to tell you Guru that I think this daily wisdom section is fabulous! Everytime you post here I automatically compare it to how I play.

Todays lesson I feel good about as I frequently fold pairs and two pairs if another player is playing strong. Of course if it is like a pair of Aces and a pair of Kings I have a hard time folding. Of course it also depends on what is at the table. If it is very likely a player could have a straight etc I will fold them.