Texture of the Board

When playing Top Pair, no single variable is more important than the texture of the board. When the texture is favorable you can be very aggressive with top pair and a good kicker, but when it is unfavorable your hand is little better than a high-card hand.

Your enemies when playing top pair are:

The same pair, with a higher kicker.

You combat this by playing two high cards so you always have a strong kicker.

The board pair.

When the board pairs, this actually gives you two pair, so we will discuss this in a later section. But be aware that if you are playing a pair and at the turn or the river the board pairs, your hand becomes vulnerable to trips (three of a kind using a board pair and one pocket card).

The flush.

The flush is a potent enemy, often hitting you right at the river when earlier betting has you convinced you that you had the best hand.

Always fear the flush when there is three of a single suit on the board. Whether you decide to check and call it down, or continue to bet is highly contextual. But always be aware that the potential flush is out there and back right off if the betting gets heated.

If there are four of a single suit on the board, tremble and fold, unless you have the flush, are headsup versus an aggressive player, or the pot is so big that you are committed to call and pick off any bluff attempt.

The obvious straight.

Your Cards			The Board:

In this case, any Jack creates the straight that beats you. It is pretty obvious that you should fold if you face action.

(The only exceptions would be 1) if you face a bet, headsup from an opponent capable of bluffing. 2) the pot was big enough to make your inside straight draw for a Jack worthwhile)

The hidden straight.

This is a nasty piece of work when playing no-limit. In limit, you usually grin-and-bear-it...because you can't be afraid of a straight all the time...nearly every board has the potential to form a straight.

For example:

Your Cards			The Board:

You are beat by a . However, it is unlikely that someone has a six and an eight, so most cases you play aggressively until you are certain somebody has hit the straight or...

Two Pair or A Set (three of a kind using a pocket pair)

These are the hidden enemies and the hardest to combat. You have to accept your top pair will get taken down by these invisible foes on a small percentage of the time. It is painful when it occurs, but there is little you can do about it.

For example, you may think you are free and clear with this board, but a set or two of a kind can beat you.

Your Cards			The Board:

As you can see, there is no possible flush or straight that can beat you at the current time, and the river card could only bring an unlikely straight.

This, you should be very aggressive here. However, somebody could be sitting with two pair (e.g. nines and sixes) or three-of-a-kind (e.g., holding a pocket pair of sixes).

You have to be aware that you are vulnerable to these hidden enemies, but never afraid! But be cautious if a conservative player comes out of the weeds firing.

A Pair as a Drawing Hand