How To Play Underpairs in Poker

Introduction

In poker, underpairs (pocket pairs that are lower than the smallest card on the board) are often regarded as tricky and challenging hands to play. The common approach for many players is to fold these hands, especially when confronted with aggressive betting, assuming that underpairs hold little value in most situations. However, underpairs can be much more valuable than they initially appear. You can turn underpairs into profitable hands when played with precision and a well-thought-out strategy.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to play underpairs.

What is an underpair?

An underpair refers to a pair of cards with a lower rank than every community card on the board. For example, if your hand holds a pair of 5s while the board displays 10♠, J♣, Q♦, K♠ and A ♥, your set of 5s is deemed an underpair since it's below all other common cards.

How to Play Underpairs in Poker

Playing Underpairs Preflop

Position and Action

• Early Position: If you are in the early position (EP), you should be more cautious with underpairs. Fold or raise a standard if you believe your opponents are likely to fold.
• Middle Position: You can be more aggressive, especially if you have a tight table image and can use your fold equity.
• Late Position: You can afford to be more liberal with underpairs. A standard raise or call might be appropriate if the action is folded to you.

Example: You are in the cutoff with 5♠ 5♦. The action folds to you. Given your position, you can raise to isolate opponents or simply call if the blinds are likely to call.

Playing Underpairs Postflop

Flop Play

• Dry Flop (e.g., 2♠ 7♦ 10♣): If the flop is dry and unlikely to have improved your opponents' hands, you can make a continuation bet to try to fold out better hands.
• Wet Flop (e.g., 9♠ 8♠ 7♦ ): You should be cautious With a wet flop with potential straight or flush draws. Check and evaluate your opponent's actions if you have been called or raised.

Example: You hold 6♠ 6♦ and the flop is 10♠ 3♦ 2♠. The board is relatively dry, so you might want to make a continuation bet. If you are raised, you might need to fold or call depending on your read of the opponent.

Post-Flop Strategy

• Top Pair Board (e.g., K♠ Q♠ 4♦): If the board has higher cards, your underpair is unlikely to be the best hand. In this situation, you should fold to any substantial bets or raises.
• Bottom Pair Board (e.g., 7♠ 3♦ 2♠): If you have a small pair and the board is low, you might have the best hand. However, be cautious of overcards and aggressive opponents.

Example: With 8♣ 8♦ on a board of 7♠ 5♣ 3♦, you hold an underpair, but it is a low board, so you might bet to protect your hand from draws. However, if your opponent raises heavily, you should be wary.

Turn and River Play

Turn Play

• Improve Your Hand: If the turn improves your hand (e.g., pairing your underpair), you should bet for value or check to control the pot size.
• No Improvement: Check and evaluate your opponent's actions if the turn does not improve your hand and the board becomes more connected or dangerous.

Example: You have 5♠ 5♦, and the board is 9♠ 7♣ 2♥ 3♠. The turn card is a 4♠, giving a potential straight draw. In this case, if you are facing a bet, you should be cautious and consider the likelihood of your opponent holding a higher hand.

River Play

• Value Betting: If you have improved to a set or have a strong read on your opponent, bet for value.
• Bluffing: Bluffing with underpairs is risky and should be done only if you believe you can make your opponent fold a better hand.

Example: You are holding 6♠ 6♦, and the board is 10♠ 3♦ 2♠ 4♣ 7♠. If your opponent bets on the river and thinks they might be bluffing or holding a lower hand, you might call or even raise if the situation is right.

Play Underpairs Against Different Bet Sizes

Here’s a detailed guide on how to approach underpairs when facing various bet sizes:

Facing a 3-Bet

A 3-bet is a re-raise after an initial raise. It indicates strength and usually means your opponents have a strong hand. Here’s how to handle underpairs in this situation:

Small Underpairs (e.g., 22-77)

• Pre-Flop Action: If you have a small underpair and face a 3-bet, you must be cautious. If the 3-bet is large, the opponent often has a strong range (e.g., high pairs, AK, AQ). Small underpairs are generally less likely to be strong against a 3-bet range.

Example: You hold 5♠ 5♦ and face a 3-bet to 3x the initial raise. Given the large size of the 3-bet, folding is often the best option unless you have a specific read or are in a favourable position (e.g., playing against a known bluffer).

• Post-Flop Action: If you decide to call and see the flop, you should evaluate the board's texture. A favourable flop (e.g., 5♠ 7♦ 9♣) might give you a set, but otherwise, be prepared to fold if the opponent continues betting aggressively.

Medium to Large Underpairs (e.g., 88-JJ)

• Pre-Flop Action: In some scenarios, you might call medium to large underpairs a 3-bet or even 4-bet. The decision depends on your position, stack sizes, and opponent's tendencies.

Example: You have 9♠ 9♦ and face a 3-bet. If the 3-bet is a standard size (e.g., 3x-4x the original raise) and you are in position, calling to see the flop is reasonable. A 4-bet might be considered if you believe the opponent is opening wide or has a wider 3-bet range.

• Post-Flop Action: If you call and hit a favourable flop (e.g., 9♠ 7♠ 3♦), you can bet for value or check-raise depending on the action. Be cautious if the board is unfavourable or your opponent continues betting aggressively.

Facing a 4-Bet

A 4-bet indicates a strong hand, often representing high pairs (e.g., QQ+), AK, or sometimes lower-suited connectors. Here’s how to handle underpairs against a 4-bet:

Small Underpairs (e.g., 22-77)

• Pre-Flop Action: Facing a 4-bet with small underpairs is usually a clear fold. The range of hands that are 4-betting is often stronger than a small underpaid.

Example: If you have 3♠ 3♦ and face a 4-bet to 10 times the original raise, it is generally advisable to fold unless you have specific information suggesting the opponent is 4-betting with a wide range.

Medium to Large Underpairs (e.g., 88-JJ)

• Pre-Flop Action: With medium to large underpairs, you might call a 4-bet if the sizing is manageable and you are getting good odds. Alternatively, you can fold if you believe the opponent's range is strong.

Example: You hold 10♠ 10♦ and face a 4-bet. If the sizing is reasonable (e.g., 5x the original raise), you might call to see the flop, particularly if you are in position. However, folding could be more prudent if the 4-bet is very large.

• Post-Flop Action: You can continue with your hand if you call the 4-bet and the flop is favourable (e.g., 10♠ 6♦ 2♠). If the flop does not help or is unfavourable, you might need to fold to further aggression.

Facing a Standard Raise

• Small Underpairs: Depending on the position and texture of the board, you can call or fold. If the board is favourable, you can proceed cautiously.

Example: You have 7♠ 7♦ and face a standard raise. If the board is 7♦ 5♠ 2♠, you should continue with your hand. Otherwise, be prepared to fold if the board doesn’t help.

• Medium/Large Underpairs: Generally, calling is appropriate. You can also raise if you believe the opponent will fold weaker hands.

Facing Smaller Bets (e.g., 1/3 to 1/2 Pot Bets)

• Small Underpairs: With smaller bets, you might call to see more of the board, especially if the pot odds are favourable. If the board is favourable, you might continue with your hand.

Example: You hold 6♠ 6♦ and the flop is 8♠ 5♦ 2♥. You might call to see the turn if your opponent bets 1/3 of the pot.

• Medium/Large Underpairs: These bets usually offer good pot odds, so calling is often justified. If the turn improves your hand, you can proceed accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I play underpairs against a 3-bet?

Against a 3-bet, small underpairs (e.g., 22-77) should usually be folded, while medium to large underpairs (e.g., 88-JJ) can be called or occasionally 4-bet, depending on the size and your read on the opponent.

How do I handle underpairs against smaller bets?

With smaller bets, you can call small underpairs if pot odds are favourable. For medium to large underpairs, calling is typically justified. Evaluate the board texture and your hand’s potential improvement when continuing.

When should I fold underpairs postflop?

Fold underpairs post-flop if the board is unfavourable, such as showing higher cards or possible straights/flushes that could beat your pair. Additionally, fold if facing strong aggression, and you have no improvement to your hand.

Conclusion

Small underpairs are often folded when confronted with heavy bets, but medium and large ones may be handled more confidently based on the situation. Flexibility in gameplay is crucial and necessitates weighing the board's situation and player position and analyzing opponents' strategies to make an informed decision.