What is Two Pair in Poker? (May 2024)

With a two pair poker hand, you have a comfortable chance of winning. This is not to say that two pair is the best hand, far from it, as it ranks at 8th of the 10 different poker hands you can land. However, there are many different combinations for two pair hands, and it can occur quite frequently, which makes this one of the best-winning poker hands in Texas Hold'em. Having two pair is not enough though. You should know how to spot potential danger signs, of another player beating you to the pot. If the communal cards do not open the possibility for another player to beat your hand, and you are confident of a win, then you must know how to reel in a bigger profit. This way, you will not only win with two pair hands, but you can also turn them into good moneymakers.

What is a Two Pair Poker Hand

In 5-card poker such as Texas Hold’em, you form 5 card hands, which can use up to 5 communal cards and 2 of your hole cards. The communal cards can be used by anyone, but your hole cards are yours alone. A two pair hand consists of 2 sets of pairs. A pair is two cards of the same rank. As most poker is played with a single deck, your possibilities are limited to two matching cards of different suits. Here are some examples for further clarification:

• 3 of Hearts, 3 of Diamonds, 8 of Clubs, 8 of Spades, Ace of Diamonds

There is a 3 pair and 8 pair, and the high card is an Ace

• 5 of Hearts, 5 of Clubs, Jack of Hearts, Jack of Diamonds, Queen of Clubs

A pair of 5s and a pair of Jacks make the two pair, and the high card is a Queen

• 10 of Spades, 10 of Hearts, King of Diamonds, King of Hearts, Ace of Hearts

There is a pair of 10s and Kings, and the high card is an Ace

• 5 of Spades, 10 of Diamonds, 10 of Clubs, Ace of Diamonds, Ace of Spades

The two pairs are 10s and Aces, and Ace is the highest card

• 5 of Hearts, 10 of Diamonds, 10 of Hearts, Jack of Spades, Jack of Clubs

There is a pair of 10s and Jacks, and Jack is the high card

What Beats Two Pair?

Any of the following beat a two pair poker hand.

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush
3. Four of a Kind
4. Full House
5. Flush
6. Straight
7. Three of a Kind

Two pair beats one pair and a high card poker hand. These are the two most common poker hands, so the chance of winning with a two pair is high. If another player also has two pair, then the player with the highest ranking pair wins. Should both have the same highest ranking pair, then the round is determined by who has the highest second pair. If the contest is still tied, then the round is determined by who has the highest card. There is still a possibility of a draw with a two pair hand, but it is very rare.

Two Pair Hand Possibilities

There are 123,552 different two pair hands you can form. The odds of landing one of these hands is 20 to 1 and the probability is 4.75%. These odds are not as slim as you may think, but be careful, as a lot depends on the cards you have in the hole. If there is a one pair on the table in the communal cards, there is a better chance of forming a two pair hand. This not only applies to you but to other players seated around the table.

What to Do with Two Pair?

Four cards are required to make a two pair hand, and there are several different ways this hand can be formed. For example, you may have a pocket pair already, and then form an extra pair from the communal cards. On the other hand, you may have two cards of different rank in the hole, and then you match them up to their pairs among the communal cards. The third alternative is that the two pairs are made within the communal cards. The latter is the worst scenario, as it means that all players can claim a two pair hand – or better. If a player can form a stronger hand, then there is nothing you can do about it. Your best bet is if the hand uses both your hole cards.

Preflop

So we know that a pocket pair is a good sign, but if you do not have one then what can you do? Your cards can be evaluated by their rank. High ranking cards are welcome, as if you cannot make two pair or even one, then you should have a solid high card. As a lot depends on the flop, you have to be patient. If you have a pocket pair, then you can open the betting cycle on the front foot.

Flop

Ideally, after the flop cards are drawn, you will want to secure at least one pair, if not two. If you do not even have one pair, this greatly hurts your chances of making a two pair hand. It is still possible, but you need both the turn and river to draw favourable cards. If you have one pair at this point, then you should evaluate their strength. A premium pair is a pair of Queens or higher. With these, you can confidently raise the pot. If your pair is anything from a pair of 7s to Jacks, then bet cautiously, as you may be caught out. 2s through 6s are considered low pairs.

Turn

After the turn, if you have two pair, then you are in good hands. The best situation is that it uses both of your hole cards, and this reduces the chance of another player matching your hand. Should there already be a pair on the table and you only use one of your hole cards to form the second pair, you must be cautious. 

River and Showdown

By the river, you should have your two pair hand, and it is easier to analyse whether a player can beat your hand. Look for runups to straights or flushes, as these can hurt your chances. If one of the pairs is already on the table, then this can also be a danger sign. Should one of the other players have a matching card, this makes three of a kind.

Best Two Pair Scenario

The best case scenario is that you have an Ace and King in the hole, and then the communal cards brings their pairs. These are the highest ranking cards, and there is a much slimmer chance of another player making both pairs. Another good scenario is if you have a pocket pair of either Ace or King, which means you can confidently start the betting cycle.

Worst Two Pair Scenario

The worst case scenario is if the two pairs are low ranking, such as a pair of 2s and 3s, and they are in the communal cards. All the other players can use the same hand. Both pairs are the lowest, so if another player can make just one other (higher ranking) pair, they beat you.

Conclusion

A two pair hand is strongest when you have formed the hand after the flop. If it looks unlikely that another player can form a higher ranking hand, then it is a good time to strike. By playing your two pair hands well, you can win quite often.