Low pair vs. four to a flush

A low pair feels safe — it is already halfway to a winning hand. But when four of your five cards share a suit, the flush draw is worth more, even though it can miss completely.

Nine cards in the deck finish the flush, and a flush pays 6 for 1. The pair wins more often, but mostly as small money — two pair or three of a kind. For every coin you bet, four to a flush gives back about 1.2 coins; a low pair gives back about 0.8.

Example: You are dealt 5♥ 5♣ 8♥ J♥ 2♥. Break the fives and hold the four hearts — 5♥ 8♥ J♥ 2♥.

One exception you already know from the last lesson: a high pair stays put. J♥ J♣ 8♥ 5♥ 2♥ is a pair of jacks, worth 1.54 against 1.19 for the flush draw. Only a low pair gives way.