Small sets, in particular, have a chance to lose to bigger sets, straights, and flushes, and even turning them into a full house usually doesn't give you the nuts. Sets make for very powerful holdings in Hold’em, but they are not unbeatable. So, let’s talk about when it’s a good idea to set mine and why. This is especially true in the more aggressive games out there. Over the long run, this kind of strategy can be extremely unprofitable. They will rarely re-raise with hands like 88 or 99 and usually give up with pocket pairs if they don't make a set. Some players, especially novices, tend to always play all pairs but the highest ones with the intention of set mining. Usually, the plan is to give the hand if your money card doesn't hit. Set mining is the term used for calling raises with the sole intention of making a set on the flop. In Texas Hold’em, you will not see a set every few poker hands, and you may go a whole session without ever having a set.įor that reason, it's important to use the ones you do get and to know when it's just not a good idea to try and make one.

However, sets are more disguised and usually easier to get paid with. Sets and trips (three of a kind with two cards on the board) have the same value at showdown. What Is Set Mining in Poker?Īny three of a kind that is made up of a pocket pair and one card on the board is commonly known as a set among players. I will discuss when going after sets is profitable and why it’s not such a great idea in some scenarios in both tournament and cash game poker.īut before we go into all that, let’s talk about what set mining is in the first place. You'll learn how to do it profitably instead of throwing your money away in a mindless pursuit of sets. In this article, I want to talk about the concept of set mining in poker. However, to get a set, we must first be dealt a pair and see a flop. Sets also have a tendency to turn into full houses, which gives them even more strength and playability. Sets are incredibly hard to come by in Texas Hold’em, and they are some of the strongest hands out there that often win the biggest pots of any given night. Few things in poker will bring you the kind of rush of flopping a set in a multi-way No-Limit Hold’em hand, especially on uncoordinated boards.

What is a set in poker