How I Like to Play High Pairs on Fourth Street

Hi. Come on in. I picked up a cherry cheesecake and some raspberry juice – tasty fare while we discuss our beloved game of poker.

In a low- or medium-limit stud game, if you start with a high pair and don't improve on fourth street, you'll want to stay for another card if your cards are still live (pair cards and kickers). But if there is a lot of action, indicating several players have improved, or if the board now shows a higher exposed pair in another player's hand, you'll have to decide whether to play or fold, based on what you think you have to beat and whether your cards are live enough to beat it. But in the absence of these factors, if you think your high pair is the best hand, push it hard. Try to eliminate players and win with it right now, or attempt to play against one player who has a smaller pair.

If it looks as though your big pair is not the highest pair, you can still play if you have a couple of overcards to your opponent's pair. That will be unusual, given that you are both playing big cards to begin with, and it's difficult to have overcards to big cards. There are just fewer of them.

You can call a bet and even a raise when, in that same situation, your pair is hidden. What's the difference, hidden pair or split pair? Surprise value, and a better return on your money invested with a hidden pair.

Calling a raise in either situation will cost you the same amount of money. But when you improve your hidden pair to trips, your opponent won't be able to see that, and will continue to play. When you improve the split pair by pairing your doorcard, your hand is transparent and your opponent probably will fold. So, in the first instance, you figure to make a lot more money than in the second instance, but it costs you the same, either way. You get a better return on your investment for the same amount of money.

Most players at the low and medium limits routinely fold when an opponent pairs his doorcard, fearing trips. That's a good, healthy fear. But don't fold automatically. Whether you play or fold depends on the value of your opponent's (possible) trips, and the size and liveness of your pair.

Let's suppose that you started at third street with a hidden pair of jacks in a raised pot. The raise came from a 10, and you're fairly certain, because of the other cards showing on the board and because of your knowledge of this player, that he has a pair of tens. Another player calls, showing a 4. You know that if this player had three fours at these limits, he would have reraised. He now catches another 4 on fourth street. His most likely hand is two small pair. Your pair is higher than either of his pairs. If your cards are live, including your kickers, call.

But, let's say that a jack raised on third street and a queen reraised. Remember, players at these middle and lower limits usually have what they are representing, so if either of them pairs his doorcard on fourth street, he most likely has trips. Even if you have a pair of aces, you should pass at these limits, unless your cards are all live and his are dead. Then, consider taking off another card for the single bet here on fourth street, but be aware that you are running uphill. Don't get married to your aces.

Generally speaking, you want to avoid chasing any pair that is higher than your pair unless you have a couple of overcards to your opponent's pair and all of your cards are live while his are not, or your pair is hidden.

You'll even want to show respect for your opponent's overcards. If you started with a pair of queens and have gotten no help on fourth street, and your opponent's board now shows an ace and a king, even if you think he doesn't have a pair of either of them, if those cards are live, you are not in a good position to show a profit. And if one of your queens is gone, which reduces your chances of making trips, you are most likely about to become a contributor.

If you suspect (or know) that your opponent has two pair, while you still have only one pair, you can continue to play if your pair is higher than either of his suspected pairs and all of your cards are live. Otherwise, fold and wait for the next hand.

If no one has improved and you figure your high pair is the best hand, bet, the maximum if you have an option. You'd like to win it right here, or set yourself up to take it with a fifth-street bet if you catch a scare card.

Now I tire and require repose. Put a piece of cheesecake in your pocket and kill the light on your way out.

Editor's note: Roy West, author of the bestseller 7 Card Stud, the Complete Course in Winning (available from Card Player), continues to give his successful poker lessons in Las Vegas to both tourists and locals. Ladies are welcome. Call 1-800-548-6177 Ext. 03.