Bet When a Big Pair Hits the Flop

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Watch 'STOP C-Betting Out of Position (It's Costing You Money)'

Mike Brady and poker pro Gary Blackwood reveal five key flop scenarios where you should always bet to maximize profits and simplify decision-making. From disconnected King-high boards to big-pair flops, they explain when aggressive range betting works best—and

View the written version of this episode here.

00:00 Situation 1

03:04 Situation 2

05:00 Situation 3

07:10 Situation 4

09:41 Situation 5

In this Level-Up episode, hosts Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood explain five key situations in which poker players should increase aggression and bet their entire range. Many players, they note, aren't aggressive enough post-flop — a costly leak that can be fixed with simple heuristics. Each situation is supported by solver insights and practical examples drawn from both live and online play, with the overarching goal of helping players simplify their strategy while maintaining strong expected value.

Situation 1 focuses on flops with no draws and one high card when you're in position — for example, King-Eight-Deuce or Queen-Seven-Deuce rainbow. These boards are dry and disconnected, giving the preflop raiser a strong equity advantage. Solvers show nearly universal continuation betting, since opponents in the big blind have mostly missed. However, if the flop adds flush or straight possibilities, players should reduce c-betting frequency because resistance from opponents will increase.

Situation 2 arises when you're raising from an earlier position such as the hijack, and your range is naturally tighter and stronger. On moderately connected flops like Jack-Six-Deuce, you can once again bet your entire range. The reason is straightforward: a tighter preflop range connects more often and contains fewer total misses, allowing for confident aggression.

Situation 3 covers flops that include a big pair like King-King-Five or Queen-Queen-Three. These boards are overwhelmingly favorable for the preflop aggressor, especially in three-bet pots, because the range advantage is massive. Gary and Mike emphasize that players should c-bet every time using small sizes to exploit opponents who are forced to fold much of their range.

Situation 4 applies to King-high flops in three-bet pots when you're in position. Through Lucid Poker simulations, Mike demonstrates that betting every time on such boards—no matter your actual hand—rarely produces mistakes. The simplicity of this approach makes it an easy and profitable rule of thumb.

Situation 5 flips the script: you've three-bet out of position and the flop is disconnected with one high card, like Ace-Eight-Deuce or Queen-Seven-Deuce. Here again, betting nearly your entire range with a small sizing works best because your range maintains a strong advantage.

The episode concludes with three caveats: dial back aggression when opponents overfold, over-attack, or when stacks are short and a shove is likely. While aggression is profitable, the key lesson is controlled aggression—bet big when range advantage is clear, but adapt intelligently when dynamics shift.