What is a pocket pair in poker?

A pocket pair in poker is always a good starting point for a hand. Rather than that annoying 9-3 or J-5, a player might feel like there’s some real hope in the hand. Knowing how to play these pairs is crucial to poker success.

Should you call with small pocket pairs?

For the most part, calling with small pocket pairs means you’re hoping to land a third card on the flop, turn, or river to make trips. Hitting that card offers the potential for a big pot – depending on the board texture. Folding these hands after the flop is much easier than some of the higher pocket pairs focused on here.

How often are you dealt a pocket pair?

On average a player will be dealt a pocket pair once every 17 hands, which is about 6 percent of the hands you see. That statistic doesn’t include what individual cards or strength of hands, but, obviously, the higher they are, the more likely you are to win some chips.