All poker players savour the feeling of being dealt that golden first pair. Many players find nothing more beautiful than timidly lifting the first two cards and seeing the chance double Ace, King, Queen etc. It means they can call the hand in the form knowledge that they, at least, are already certain of something worth playing. Yet many players make the fundamental mistake of believing that being lucky enough to be dealt a pre-flop pair is almost some sort of insurance of winning the hand. Nothing could be further from the truth, and pairs should almost always be played aggressively.

Why? Because they are a common hand, and among large tables of six or ten players even a high pair is likely to find itself beaten by a three of a kind of flush. With a pair, you can sit relatively comfortably in the knowledge that you already have one-up, but forcing as many people to fold as quickly as possible is still a good way to ensure a win. Many poker pros will make large bets or call all-in when dealt a pair, even at online casino websites. For this rule, online poker and live play are the same. Play your pairs aggressively, but be prepared to succeed if you think there is a better hand on the table. Currently Canada is enjoying fresh gambling growth, and knowing these simple tips and tricks can be often be the secret to victory.