Top Pair
A pair made using one of your hole cards matching the highest card on the board.
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What Is Top Pair?
Top pair is one of the most common made hands in Hold'em and its strength varies significantly based on kicker quality and board texture. Top pair with a strong kicker on a dry board is often a clear value hand, while top pair with a weak kicker on a wet, coordinated board requires much more caution.
Examples
Holding A-J on a board of J-7-2 for top pair with a strong kicker.
Holding K-4 on a board of K-9-3 for top pair with a weak kicker.
Strategy Tips
Evaluate top pair in the context of both kicker strength and board texture -- top pair on a dry, disconnected board plays very differently than top pair on a coordinated, draw-heavy board. Bet top pair for value and protection against draws on wetter boards, since giving free cards can be costly. Be willing to fold top pair with a weak kicker facing significant aggression, especially from tight or straightforward opponents. Use pot control by checking or calling smaller bets with top pair against aggressive opponents when the board and action suggest you may be facing a stronger hand.