Pairs in Texas holdem poker are good hands to get, and the bigger the pair, the better. However, just how good are they? Understanding the odds in Texas holdem with respect to pairs may give you a better understanding of the game and how to play those pairs when you get them.

Holding Aces in Texas Holdem Poker

Pocket aces are the best hand you can get in Texas holdem poker, since no two-card hand can beat them. What are your chances of winning with them on the river? Your odds of your AA holding up are generally less than 50 percent, if you are facing four players or more. They can be 75 percent or better if facing only one or two players. For this reason, many players will wish to raise pre-flop with aces, narrowing the field rather than letting one of the chasing hands catch up.

Facing Aces in Texas Holdem Poker

If you hold kings or queens, you are likely to feel pretty confident pre-flop. After all, what are the odds of an opponent holding aces at the same time you hold kings or queens? Not as long as you might think.

The odds of someone holding AA when you have KK are about 24-to-1, or about four and a third percent. The odds of someone holding AA or KK when you have QQ are 12-to-1, or about eight and a half percent. Consider that when you’re facing a raise and a re-raise with those pocket ladies. Please note that these statistics are based on the following assumptions: First off you asume that you already have KK which means you don't actually count the probability of someone hitting that hand. The chance that one of your opponents gets AA is 1-221 but in the example one asume that you are facing 9 players which leads to the conclusion 9 - 221 which is equivalent to 1-24.

Smaller Pairs in Texas Holdem Poker

Any pair can flop a powerful and well-disguised three of a kind. The odds of flopping a set with your pair are about 8-to-1, so if you think you can make more than eight times the pre-flop bet if you hit your set, go for it. That’s probably the best way of making some free online poker money.

Keep in mind, though, that even if you make a set it does not guarantee you to win the hand. That’s an important point if you wish to qualify for 2008 WSOP.